A new centre for the diocese was chosen in Haapsalu, where a cathedral was built and an Episcopal stronghold was started During the reign of Ösel-Wiek Bishop, every canon was supposed to lead a chaste and virtuous life according to the rules of the monastery. Access of women to the Episcopal Castle was forbidden by threat of death. A legend tells that a canon fell in love with an Estonian girl and brought secretly the maiden into the castle. She hid by dressing as a choirboy and remained a secret for a long time, but when the bishop visited Haapsalu again, the young singer caught his attention and he ordered an investigation of the singer's gender.[5] Upon finding the girl, the bishop summoned his council and it decided that the girl should be immured in the wall of the chapel and the canon was to be put in prison where he was starved to death. The builders left a cavity into the wall and the poor girl with a piece of bread and a mug of water was walled in
Today it is a friendly place for tourists. There is a beautiful green yard and a grey stone wall cannot be unseen when one takes a walk there. Visiting the castle grounds is free, and most days it's possible to ascend the castle's watchtower for views and photographs. Legend of White Lady A legend tells that a canon fell in love with an Estonian girl and brought secretly the maiden into the castle. She hid by dressing as a choirboy and remained a secret for a long time, but when the bishop visited Haapsalu again, the young singer caught his attention and he ordered an investigation of the singer's gender.Upon finding the girl, the bishop summoned his council and it decided that the girl should be immured in the wall of the chapel and the canon was to be put in prison where he was starved to death. The builders left a cavity into the wall and the poor girl with a piece of bread and a mug of water was walled in
around the remains of the Teutonic-knights-era castles, the fair combines enchanting medieval legends with modern countryside charm to create a comprehensive experience of Estonia beyond the big cities. But the legend of the White Lady of Haapsalu, which is at the heart of the festival, is perhaps the most famous tall tale of the many that are so abundant in Estonia's folklore. It is the story of a poor girl who falls in love with the son of the village elder, and disguises herself as a choirboy in order to sneak into the castle. But, alas, the lord of the manor's son discovers the deception. He is overcome by jealous rage and orders his men to seal the girl inside the thick stone walls while still alive. Turned into an incarnation of undying love, the White Lady now appears every August, on the night of the full moon, in the Dome Church chapel window. Haapsalu is seven-and-a- quarter centuries old this year, and the townsfolk intend to make it a celebration to remember
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