Muhu

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Muhu (also called Muhu island, Estonian: Muhu) is an island in the West Estonian archipelago of the Baltic Sea. With an area of Template:Convert, it is the third-largest island of Estonia after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Together with the neighbouring islets of Kesselaid, Viirelaid, Võilaid and Suurlaid, it forms Muhu Parish, a rural municipality in Saare County. The municipality reported a population of 2,118 on 1 October 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History and geography

The German names for the island are Mohn and Moon. Moon is also the Swedish name for the island.

The main settlements are Kuivastu (ferry harbour), Liiva (administrative centre) and Koguva (traditional village ensemble and the Muhu Museum).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The island is divided from mainland Estonia by the Big Strait (Template:Langx)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and from Saaremaa by the Little Strait (Template:Langx).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The Sea of Straits<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> (Template:Langx, Template:Langx 'Moon Sound') lies north of the island. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu on the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Väinatamm. In winter an ice road connects the island to the mainland.

In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword with Letts, Germans of Riga and native Livonians (20,000 men commanded by William of Modena) crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The Estonians surrendered on Muhu at a circular stronghold called Mona, the earthworks of which are still preserved near the causeway between the islands. This ended the Estonian Crusade.

The Battle of Karuse or Battle on the Ice was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between Muhu and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The battle, named after the village of Karuse, was the fifth-largest defeat of the Livonian or Teutonic Orders in the 13th century.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The same waters saw the Battle of Moon Sound in September–October 1917 between Russian and German naval forces.

Transport

Muhu is linked to the mainland by frequent car-and-passenger ferries between Virtsu (mainland) and Kuivastu (Muhu), operated by TS Laevad; schedules and ticketing are provided via the official portal praamid.ee.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Muhu is connected to Saaremaa by the Väinatamm causeway, opened in 1896.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In very cold winters, Estonia’s Transport Administration may open official ice roads, but openings are infrequent and subject to strict rules; travellers should rely on current official notices.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Culture

Muhu is known for having the only traditional windmills in Estonia that are still operational. Muhu is also known for its traditional knitted stockings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In Pädaste, an internationally renowned luxury hotel and spa operates in the restored manor house.

Muhu is the home of Estonia's first wine tourism farm: Luscher & Matiesen Muhu Winehouse.