Vormsi
Estonia's fourth largest island, Vormsi (German: Worms, Swedish: Ormsö), is located between Hiiumaa and the mainland with a total area of 92 square kilometers. It is part of Vormsi Parish, a rural municipality.
History
Vormsi's history as an inhabited island dates back as far as the 13th century. During most of its history, the island has been inhabited by Estonian Swedes ("rannarootslased" in Estonian or "coastal Swedes" in English), whose population reached 3,000 before World War II. During the war, nearly all of Vormsi's population, along with other Swedes living in Estonia, were evacuated, or fled, to Sweden. The island's current population is approximately 240 inhabitants.
The island's Estonian name Vormsi is derived from its German name Worms or its Swedish name Ormsö ("snake island"). Swedish influence can also be seen in other placenames, as in villages like Hullo (the administrative center), Sviby (the main port), Söderby, Norrby, Diby, Rälby, Förby, Borrby, Kärrslätt, Saxby, Busby, Suuremõisa (Magnushof) and Rumpo; and lakes like Prästvik.
Literature
- Kanarbik, Madis, Ormsö. De estlandssvenska böndernas kamp mot godsägarna under 1700- och 1800-talet [Nordistica Tartuensia; 9] (Tartu, 2003)
- Beyer, Jürgen, 'Whom should one thank for a narrow escape? Lessons drawn from a perilous journey from Vormsi and Noarootsi to Finland in 1796', Pro Ethnologia 17 (2004), 175-95
Gallery
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Saxby lighthouse
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Paddoc, Rälby
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Old windmill, Rälby
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Woodsman's cottage, Hullo
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Beach area in Rumpo
External links
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Vormsi. |
- Vormsi vald (Vormsi municipality)
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