Viljandi
These days our theatre "Ugala" gives open air performances on
Kaevumägi in the ruins. Every summer a grand Folk Music
Festival takes place here. In Estonia everyone knows the song of a boatman rowing on Lake
Viljandi. From the castle ruins the most beautiful view opens on the lake and its surroundings .
History
In 1211 the hill-fort of the estonians in viljandi was besieged by a joint army of germans, latvians,
and livs.
In 1283 the town received a charter from villekinus de endorpe, the master of the order.
In 1470, johann woltus von herse, then master of the order, took up residence in the castle. In 1481,
ivan iia of runnian laid siege to the castle but could not take it.
After the great northern war the russians revoked local autonomy until 1783, when in the course of
the regency reforms of the empress catherine the great viljandi became a district town. This
involved the re-establishment of town bylaws. The economic and political importance of viljandi
annaabi.ee 
