Kärdla & Long House Museum
Kärdla, Pikk maja
The island's only town, a small town of wooden houses among the greenery. The Long House Museum tells the story of the woollen mill and the island's history.
Kärdla is the capital of Hiiumaa and the island's only town, with a population of about 3,000. Known as the 'garden city', its wooden houses are tucked among large trees. The town grew up around a woollen mill founded in 1830. The mill's old building, the 'Long House' (Pikk maja), was the mill manager's residence and is now the main building of the Hiiumaa Museum, which presents the island's history, the woollen mill and the story of the Swedish residents. The town centre has a central square, a harbour, a white sandy beach and several restaurants. The town sits on the rim of the Kärdla impact crater, about 4 km across and formed some 455 million years ago, though the crater is hard to make out on the surface. It is the base for accommodation and supplies.
Opening hours
Open all day; museum summer 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Ristimägi (Hill of Crosses)
- Soera Farm Museum
- Hiiumaa Military Museum
- Käina Church Ruins
- Tahkuna Lighthouse
- Vaemla Wool Factory
- Orjaku Bird Tower & Käina Bay
- Kassari Chapel