Jõgeva

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Jõgeva
Town and municipality
Jõgeva County hall built in 1968

Flag

Coat of arms
Jõgeva
Location in Estonia
Coordinates: 58°44′49″N 26°24′0″E / 58.74694°N 26.40000°E / 58.74694; 26.40000Coordinates: 58°44′49″N 26°24′0″E / 58.74694°N 26.40000°E / 58.74694; 26.40000
Country Estonia
County Jõgeva County
First mentioned 1599
Borough rights 13 October 1919
Town rights 1 May 1938
Government
  Mayor Kalmer Lain
Area
  Total 3.86 km2 (1.49 sq mi)
Population (2012)
  Total 5,577
  Density 1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Area code(s) (+372) 77
Vehicle registration J
Website www.jogevalv.ee

Jõgeva (German: Laisholm) is a small town in Estonia with a population of around 6000 people. It is the administrative centre of Jõgeva County.

It is known as the coldest place in Estonia with the lowest temperature of −43.5 °C (−46 °F). It is the birthplace of Estonian poet Betti Alver.

History

Jõgeva was first mentioned in 1599 as Jagiwa manor, being established only recently on the lands of the same named village by the orders of the Polish king. During the Polish reign in Estonia (1582–1622) it was part of Laiuse starostwo, which became Laiuse fief during Swedish rule (1622–1721).

In 1756, Jõgeva manor became the property of Gotthard Johann von Manteuffel (1690–1763) and remained in the family of von Manteuffel until 1919 when it was nationalized by the government. In 1876, a railway station, named Laisholm after the manor, was established near the village of Jõgeva. The owner of Jõgeva manor, Ernst Gotthard von Manteuffel (1844–1922), started renting out land around the railway station in 1903. After that, the village started to grow quickly. On October 13, 1919, Jõgeva became a borough and on May 1, 1938 a town.

During the Second World War nearly 60% of the town was destroyed.

During the Soviet occupation of Estonia Jõgeva became an important administrative center with several big industries. Many new administrative, commercial and residential buildings were erected at that time.

Location

Jõgeva is situated on the right shore of Pedja River which flows through the city from north to south. Parallel with the river is the Tallinn–Tartu railway line. The major cities Tartu and Tallinn are respectively 51 and 154 kilometres (96 miles) from Jõgeva, both connected through railway as well as through highways.

Culture

In July Jõgevatreff, an annual bikers reunion takes place. The culmination of the event is the parade of the bikers through the town. In August, the annual Garlic Festival is held. Jõgeva is also regarded as the headquarters of the Estonian Santa Claus.

Sights and buildings

  • The house museum of Estonian poet Betti Alver - the house by the railway station where she was born;
  • Külmasammas - a monument marking the Estonian cold record of −43.5 °C (−46 °F) recorded in Jõgeva in 1940;
  • The Estonian War of Independence memorial stone to commemorate the casualties;
  • The memorial to the casualties of the Second World War;
  • The memorial to the Estonian deportees during Soviet occupation in 1941 and 1949;

International relations

Twin towns - Sister cities

Jõgeva is twinned with:[1]

Gallery

References

Notes
  1. "Välissuhted" (in Estonian). Jõgeva linn. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 

External links

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