Lehmja Oak Forest – Lehmja, Estonia - Atlas Obscura

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Lehmja Oak Forest

Lehmja, Estonia

An ancient oak forest where, legend has it, a wedding party was magically transformed into trees. 

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The Lehmja oak forest, or Lehmja tammik in Estonian, is a historic oak grove located near the town of Jüri, about 12 kilometers from Tallinn. Covering 12 hectares, it is the largest and one of the rarest old-growth oak forests near the capital, providing easy access to nature for city residents. The forest is a diverse and rich ecosystem, with its oaks averaging around 130 years of age, though the oldest, a towering tree known as “the Prophet” is over 374 years old.

Lehmja tammik is steeped in centuries-old folklore. A famous local legend tells of a wedding party that was cursed and turned into oak trees as punishment for dancing on the grass. Walking through Lehmja tammik feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The gnarled, twisted forms of many ancient oaks lend the forest a mysterious, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

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October 11, 2024

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