History & architecture

Haapsalu Kuursaal

Haapsalu Kuursaal is one of the most recognizable buildings in seaside Haapsalu and a rare surviving example of late 19th-century resort architecture. The wooden pavilion was built in 1898 right by the sea; originally, the water came almost up to the building itself. The openwork facade, light wooden structure, and adjacent bandstand evoke a time when Haapsalu was a fashionable summer resort for wealthy guests and members of the Russian imperial circle. Today, the historical Kuursaal remains part of the promenade's life and operates as a restaurant with a sea view during the summer season. Even without visiting the restaurant, the building is worth including in a walk along the waterfront as one of the visual symbols of resort Haapsalu.