Valgejõe
Valgejõe is a village in Kuusalu Parish, Harju County in northern Estonia. It's located on the crossing of the Tallinn–Narva road (part of the E20) and the Valgejõgi River.
Valgejõe | |
|---|---|
Village | |
| Country |  Estonia |
| County | Harju County |
| Parish | Kuusalu Parish |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Valgejõe (´white river´) village which comes from 13th century located initially in today's Vanaküla (´old village´). In the early 17th century the centre of the village shifted some kilometers south to the area of Tallinn-Narva road rivercrossing and the tavern. In north from Vanaküla split Parksi and Nõmmeveski. Situated on the historic division line of Harju and Viru counties the local administrative borders have constantly changed here. Since 1939 reform however, when county border skipped few kilomeeter eastward, Valgejõe, Vanaküla and Parksi lands were moved between multiple different administrative units always together. That has laid basis for emerging of historic triple village.
Beginning of the village
In 1290, 20 September Danish King Erik Menved expanded the lands of cistercians from Gotland around Kolga sub-monastery, listing among other villages Witena/Valgejõe. The commemoration stone to first written notion of the village was opened here in 1992, carved by Andres Allmägi from Parksi.
Tavern and forestry
In 1585, 9 December, right after sudden death of Pontus De la Gardie his cousin captain Johan De la Blanque orders revisory of Kolga manor, which includes also the rewrite from rental agreement of Witenå tavern.[1] We celebrate the date of the tavern's first mentioning also as the birthday of Veinivilla winery, which settled here in 2014. Last tavern-keeper Jaaska Viikmann closed the business in the fall of the 19th century. From beginning of the 20th century the house was used by Kolga majorate manor's (fidei-comiss) forest managers and later by Valgejõe forestry.
Great Northern War
Battle of Läsna-Valgejõe 1704, 16 June 5000 Russian cavalry and 1000 infantry under the colonel Karl Evald von Rönne forced to flee from fortified positions 1400 Swedish cavalry under command of major-general Anton von Schlippenbach. On Russian side was killed 100, on Swedish side 60 men. Ca 50 Swedish cavalrymen were imprisoned, including oberst Fritz Wachtmeister. According to popular memory Russians were buried to Russian hill, few hundred meters from here towards Tallinn.
War of Independence
Battle of Valgejõe 1918, 22–24 December . Retrieting were 4th and 5th regiments of Estonian Popular Army and on offensive Revel's (Tallinn) Communist Rifle Regiment (mostly red Estonians and finns), supported by seamen's squad. In Popular Army 234 men were engaged, 2 killed. On red's side 1 was injured. Commemorating stone to the battle site was placed here on its 100th anniversary.
Bridge and border
Road from Tallinn to Narva goes from here at least since the late 17th century. According to popular memory already since Swedish period here was also the 5-arched bridge, but the first documented evidence of the bridge comes only from 1784 delineanation map of ancient counties Harjumaa and Virumaa. Next to the old limestone bridge was built new crossing from concrete in 1914, but latter was blown off by retreating German troops in 1944. September. After several temporary wooden constructions concrete-bridge was rebuilt only in 1957. New high-way built for Tallinn olympic regatta redirected since 1981 most of the traffic away from the heart of village.
References
- Alaküla, Allan (2017). "White Spot in White Rivers History - Adventures of Captain De La Blanque in French, Swedish and Polish Courts". Revue Histoire Nordique [Nordic Historical Review]. 24: 249–258.
