Rapla

Rapla (German: Rappel) is a town in central Estonia, the capital of Rapla County and the centre of Rapla Parish. The oldest records date back to 1241 in the Danish Census Book, when it was said that it was a small village with 8 acres of cultivated fields. By the end of the 13th century, the village centre was firmly established. At around the same time, a Cistercian monastery was built.

Rapla
Bridges over Vigala River. Rapla church in the background and monument to Brigadier General Märt Tiru on right.
Rapla
Location in Estonia
Coordinates: 58°59′40″N 24°48′04″E
Country Estonia
County Rapla County
Municipality Rapla Parish
Elevation
67 m (220 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
  Total5,132
  Rank22nd
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
79511
Area code(s)(+372) 048
Vehicle registrationL

Rapla's ambitious period of fast growth began only in the late 19th century. In 1866, a pharmacy was built, in 1868 a school, and in 1888 a hospital. In 1898, a Brick factory was opened, and in 1900, a railway line was built between Rapla and Viljandi. The old stone church was demolished in the late 19th century and a new one was built in a Romanesque style, one of the purest examples of this style in all of Estonia.

In 1913, Rapla consisted of around 20 stone and 60 wooden houses. During this time period, a number of social societies were established, such as the Volunteer Fire Company, the Song and Music Society, the Society of Agriculture, a Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a Consumer Association, and the Deposit Insurance Fund.

It has a railway station on the TallinnViljandi railway line operated by Elron. In 1931, a narrow gauge railway from Rapla to Virtsu opened and remained in use until 1968.

See also

References

Media related to Rapla at Wikimedia Commons

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