Anija, Harju County, Estonia

🇪🇪 Anija is a village in Anija Parish, Harju County in northern Estonia. Anija was first mentioned in 1241 as Hangægus village in the Danish Census Book.

Anija Manor A manor house has existed in Anija since at least 1482, but the present building dates from the early years of the 19th century. The manor was burned down during the uprising of 1905, but later restored more or less in its original form. The building still showcases some fine stucco decorations on both the front and back façades, as well as an ebony staircase from the early 20th century. Adjacent to the manor house the former smithy, granary, creamery and cowshed are situated. The manor house is located in a park, unique for its many foreign tree species. All in all, the manor complex is one of the best preserved in Estonia.

Culture The International Random Film Festival was hosted in Anija in March 2012.

Early history According to the Danish Census Book of 1241, the western part of the modern Anija Parish was split between the Ancient-Estonian counties of Revala and Harju.

More specifically the northern parts of the modern parish were located in the ancient Jõelähtme parish [et] of Revala county and included the villages of Aavere, Anija, Kõlu [et], Soodla, Kihmla, Pirsu Kehra village, and Parila. Kaersoo [et], which is also mentioned in the book, was divided between the modern Sambu and Salumäe villages in 1977. It is speculated that some parts of the modern Linnakse were once a part of the relatively large ancient village of Saintakæ, which eventually became the modern Raasiku.

Also according to the book, the southern parts of the modern parish were located in the ancient Kose parish [et] of Harju county and included the villages of Pikva, Rooküla, Kaivere [et], Alavere, Mõisaaseme [et], Rasivere, and Voose. Kiviloo, whose historic centre is located in the modern village of Lükati, is also mentioned.

The south-eastern part of the parish has historically been a part of Ambla parish [et] of Järva county, while the north-eastern part of the parish was a part of Kuusalu parish [et], both being sparsely populated. There have been several historic settlements on the lands of modern Pillapalu and Aegviidu, including Kosenõmme, Rekka, Kaikvõhma, Koolma, Koonukõrve, and Laudisalu, all of which were mentioned in 1379 as belonging to the Lehtse Manor [et]. The historic Koitjärve, first mentioned in 1518, is located on the lands of modern Pillapalu.

History: Russian Empire Anija Parish was formed as a result of the Baltic Parish Law signed by Alexander II of Russia on March 3, 1866, and in force since October 13, 1866. The law was a part of reforms that were aimed at curbing the powers of local feudal lords, and paved the way towards Estonian independence in 1918. The parish was formed on the grounds of the Harju-Jaani Church Parish [et] some time after the law came into force. Other parishes that incorporated parts of the modern Anija Parish in the Harju-Jaani Church Parish include Kehra-Kaunissaare, Paasiku, Kambi-Raasiku, Kiviloo, and Haljava.

Kaunissaare became a part of Kiviloo Parish in 1880, leaving behind Kehra Parish. Kehra, Haljava, and Paasiku Parishes became a part of Anija Parish on January 10, 1891 [O.S. January 22, 1891], while Kiviloo, Kambi-Raasiku, and Perila-Rätla Parishes became a part of Peningi Parish. The areas of the former Kambi-Raasiku, Paasiku, and Haljava Parishes became Raasiku Parish on June 8, 1898.

Alavere-Pikva-Rooküla Parish was formed on the grounds of the Kose Church Parish [et] in 1866, only to disintegrate into three separate parishes in 1870: Alavere, Pikva, and Rooküla. The three parishes became a part of Palvere Parish on May 7, 1891 [O.S. April 25, 1891]. Palvere Parish was renamed to Nikolai Parish on October 8, 1891 [O.S. October 27, 1891]. The areas of the former three parishes were separated from Nikolai Parish on July 15, 1899 and became Alavere Parish.

Lehtse and Kärevete Parishes were formed on the grounds of the Ambla Church Parish [et] in 1866. The areas east of Mustjõe train stop and south of Koitjärve bog were all part of Lehtse Parish, except the Nelijärve area in Aegviidu, which was a part of Kärevete Parish. Kärevete Parish was renamed to Ambla Parish in 1892.

Kolga Parish was formed on the grounds of the Kuusalu Church Parish [et] in 1866. There are also records of a Koitjärve Parish that existed sometime between 1866 and 1879 and eventually became a part of Kolga Parish but it is unclear if it included any parts of the modern day Anija Parish. South of Soodla river, the historic Kõrveveski village [et] and Pillapalu Kivijärv  belonged to Kolga Parish, both of which are currently part of Pillapalu village.

Interwar Period 1910s The areas around Kaunissaare manor were transferred from Peningi Parish to Alavere Parish on August 15, 1919. Additionally some forested areas were transferred from Raasiku Parish to Alavere Parish on the same day.

1920s The populated areas south of Koitjärve bog, around Pillapalu village, were transferred from Jõelehtme and Nehatu Parishes to Anija Parish on July 1, 1923, with the forested areas being transferred on January 1, 1925. Verioja area was also gradually transferred as part of the same agreements.

According to the 1922 Estonian census data, released in 1924, Anija Parish consisted of Aavere, Härmakosu (Härmakoosu), Kehra, Kõrve (Kärve), Loo (Kerbuküla), Oja, Otsa, Pillapalu, Pirga, Pirsu, Soodla, Vikipalu, Ülejõe villages, and of Anija, Kehra manors. Additionally, the 1923 list of Estonian settlements released by the Estonian postal authority also mentions Pringu village and Lilli, Mullikmäe settlements. Kõrve village was located where the Ruunoja river flows into the Soodla river, in the modern day Raudoja village. Otsa and Pirga villages were located just north and north-east of Lilli, respectively, and are today part of Soodla village. Pirsu village was located just west of Lilli, on both shores of the Jägala river, and is presently split between Lilli and Kuusemäe villages. Oja village was located on the shores of the Aavoja river, in the southern part of the modern Ülejõe village. Mullikmäe was located north of Aavere, on the road that connects Anija village with the Piibe road, and is presently part of Partsaare village. The relatively unknown Pringu village was home to the local municipal hall (vallamaja) and has usually been counted as a part of Pirga village.

According to the 1922 Estonian census data, Alavere Parish consisted of Arava, Jõeääre, Kuusiku, Laksu, Palu, Pikva, Rasivere, Rooküla (Rookla), Soo-otsa (Sootsa), Taganurga, Uuearu villages, of Alavere, Rooküla settlements, and of Kaunissaare, Nõmbra, Pikva manors. Additionally, the 1923 list of Estonian settlements released by the Estonian postal authority also mentions Mõisaaseme settlement, Jõeääre, Pikaveski, and Vetla watermills on the Jägala river, and Pirgu watermill on the Jõelähtme river, near the border of Peningi parish. Jõeääre village was located directly east of Pikva, on the shores of the Jägala River, in the modern day Arava village, while Laksu village was located directly west of Pikva, near the modern Laksu main ditch, and is currently also part of Pikva. Kuusiku village was located just south-west of the modern day Kaunissaare reservoir. Palu village was located north of Voose village, and south of the Perila-Jäneda road in the modern Rasivere village. Soo-otsa village was located just north-west of Palu village, along the Perila-Jäneda road in modern Rasivere village. Mõisaaseme village was located just south of Soo-Otsa village, and east of the original Rasivere, and is also part of Rasivere in modern times. Taganurga was located east of the Vetla watermill, on the eastern bank of the Jägala river. Nõmbra is nowadays part of Kose Parish.

According to the 1923 list of Estonian settlements released by the Estonian postal authority, the areas of Lehtse Parish that lied on the grounds of modern Anija Parish consisted of Aegviidu borough, Koolme, Pruuna-Kõrve villages, and of the Kosenõmme [et] (Kasenõmme) settlement. Koonukõrve (Konukõrve) is listed as a farmstead and Mustjõe (Must) is listed as a train stop. Koolme and Pruuna-Kõrve villages were located north-east of Jäneda village, in the south-eastern-most part of the modern day Pillapalu village. Nowadays, Kosenõmme makes up the northern part of Aegviidu borough. Koonukõrve was located east of Pillapalu and north of Jäneda, on the banks of the Soodla River, and on the grounds of modern day Pillapalu and Koitjärve villages. The Nelijärve area belonged to Ambla Parish and was sparsely populated.

1930s As a result of the 1939 Estonian parish reform, effective since April 1, 1939, Anija Parish: • gained Alavere, Arava, Jõeääre, Kuusiku, Pikva, Soo-otsa, Uuearu villages from Alavere Parish, splitting Alavere Parish between Anija, Ravila, and Peningi Parishes in the process • gained Paasiku settlement and village from Raasiku Parish (modern Paasiku and Salumetsa villages, respectively) • gained Soo-otsa farmstead and a forested area south of it from Peningi Parish (modern western part of Lükati village) • lost Aavere village and the western parts of the Anija settlement to Raasiku Parish • lost the western part of Pillapalu settlement to Lehtse Parish

Soviet Occupation 1940s On August 8, 1945, the following rural councils were established on the lands of the previous parishes: • Anija Parish: Anija, Kehra, and Pikva Rural Councils • Lehtse Parish: Aegviidu Rural Council • Raasiku Parish: Läti, and Haljava Rural Councils • Ravila Parish: Voose Rural Council

Kehra became a worker's borough on September 13, 1945. Aegviidu became a summering borough on December 29, 1945.

1950s Parishes existed in parallel to rural councils until September 26, 1950, when rural councils were split among the newly created regions: • Harju Region: Haljava, and Läti Rural Councils • Kose Region: Anija, Kehra, Pikva, and Voose Rural Councils • Tapa Region: Aegviidu Rural Council

The amount of rural councils in Estonia was reduced by half on June 17, 1954, leading to the following outcome: • Aegviidu Rural Council: Aegviidu Rural Council • Alavere Rural Council: Pikva, and Voose Rural Councils • Anija Rural Council: Anija, and Kehra Rural Councils • Raasiku Rural Council: Aruküla, Haljava, and Läti Rural Councils

Parts of Anija, Kolga, and Kõnnu Rural Councils became a part of Aegviidu Rural Council of Tapa Region on October 12, 1957. The border between Anija and Aegviidu Rural Councils ran from Mustjõe train station towards Koitjärve bog until hitting the Piibe road and then westwards along the road. Kehra Borough, along with Anija and Alavere Rural Councils became a part of Harju Region as Kose Region was split between Harju and Rapla Regions on January 24, 1959.

When the Estonian Central Polygon was established in 1952, many villages and farmsteads were forcefully left abandoned or destroyed in the area, including what is now eastern Anija Parish: Apuparra, Koitjärve, Kõrveveski, Kulli, Lepasilla, Pruunakõrve, parts of Pillapalu. The former villages and farmsteads lay mostly on the grounds of modern-day Pillapalu village.

1960s Tapa Region along with Aegviidu borough and rural council became a part of Paide Region on March 28, 1962. Aegviidu borough and rural council became a part of Harju Region on December 21, 1962. All of Aegviidu Rural Council and the part of Alavere Rural Council that was used by the Pikva kolkhoz became a part of Anija Rural Council on January 18, 1963. Western parts of the former Vohnja Rural Council of Rakvere Region became a part of Anija Rural Council of Harju Region on December 28, 1963, but ultimately were transferred to Kuusalu Rural Council instead on December 27, 1976. There were border changes between Kehra borough and Anija Rural Council on December 27, 1968.

1970s On December 27, 1976, Aavere, Kihmla, Linnakse, Parila, and Salumäe villages became a part of Anija Rural Council because they were a part of Kehra sovkhoz, and Arava, Pikva, and the former Jõeääre villages became a part of Kose Rural Council because they were a part of Alavere sovkhoz. Additionally, most of the areas gained from Vohnja Rural Council in 1963 were transferred to Kuusalu Rural Council. Kehra and Aegviidu boroughs underwent border changes.

1980s On October 28, 1983, Alavere, Arava, Lükati, Pikva, Rasivere, Rooküla, Uuearu, Vetla, and Voose villages were tranferred from Kose Rural Council to Anija Rural Council.

Modern Period After the soviet occupation of Estonia ended, Anija parish was re-established on January 16, 1992 in the borders of the preceding Anija Rural Council. The town of Kehra became a part of the parish on December 2, 2002 and the borough of Aegviidu on October 21, 2017.

Nature Around half of the area of the parish is forested, while bodies of water account for about 3% of the area. The parish is home to the reservoirs of Soodla, Raudoja, Aavoja, and Kaunissaare, which belong to the Tallinn water supply system. Jägala River, along with its tributaries of Soodla, Aavoja, Mustjõgi, Jõelähtme, Jänijõgi, and Tarvasjõgi, flow through the parish.

The south-eastern corner of the hilly Aegviidu is home to the popular Nelijärve lakes, while many other lakes dot the landscape east of Aegviidu on the lands of the Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve and Jäneda village, with Kivijärv, Venejärv, Ännijärv, and Aegviidu blue springs among them. The Kaunismaa area in Kuusemäe village, between Kehra and Anija, is home to a collection of small lakes. Mustjõe village is home to a large, flooded quarry, that operated between 1985 and 1992. The material extracted from the quarry was used for the construction of the second track of the Tallinn-Tapa railway.

The Põhja-Kõrvemaa, Soodla, Voose, and Aegviidu areas are notable for their naturally hilly landscape. Ülejõe village is home to a large ash mountain (Estonian: tuhamägi), made of the manufacturing leftovers of Kehra pulp and paper mill and general garbage.

Transport The Tallinn-Narva railway passes through the parish and is serviced by Elron. Long distance trains stop in Kehra, Aegviidu, and Nelijärve, while local Tallinn-Aegviidu trains stop in Parila, Kehra, Lahinguvälja, Mustjõe, and Aegviidu. It takes about 19 minutes to reach Kehra on a long distance train from Ülemiste, and 31 minutes to reach Aegviidu. Meanwhile, local Tallinn-Aegviidu trains take about 10 more minutes due to additional stops.

Kose-Jägala, Jägala-Käravete (part of the bigger Piibe road), and Perila-Jäneda roads pass through the parish. Kehra, the administrative centre, is located approximately 32.8 km from the outer edge of Tallinn through Kose-Jägala, Jägala-Käravete, and Tallinn-Narva highways. The journey takes approximately 23 minutes.

The parish has a considerable, still-developing network of light traffic roads. Currently existing sections include Kõrvemaa-Aegviidu-Jäneda in the Aegviidu area and several shorter roads in the town of Kehra, with Kehra-Kaunisaare also reaching outside the town. Kehra-Anija and Soodla-Kõrvemaa sections are scheduled to be built in 2023, nearly connecting Kehra and Aegviidu. In approximate chronological order, other sections scheduled to be built include: Kehra-Vikipalu, Kehra-Lilli-Soodla, Kaunissaare-Pikva-Alavere, Anija-Raasiku, Vetla, Voose-Vetla-Kreo, Vikipalu-Lahinguvälja, Alavere-Rooküla-Lükati.

As of 2020, five bus lines were providing local transport in Anija Parish, three of which operate on every workday. There is also a bus line between Kehra and Kose borough.

Tallinn Water Supply System The parish is home to the reservoirs of Soodla, Raudoja, Aavoja, and Kaunissaare, which belong to the Tallinn water supply system. All of the reservoirs are located on a river that shares the name of the reservoir, except Kaunissaare, which is located on the Jägala River. Soodla reservoir feeds into Raudoja reservoir through a pipe, Raudoja feeds into Aavoja through a canal, Aavoja feeds into Kaunissaare through a canal, and Kaunissaare feeds into Vaskjala reservoir through the Kaunissaare-Patika canal and a small section of the Pirita River. Each canal has a gravel road next to it for maintenance.

Culture The 1903 novel by Eduard Vilde "Kui Anija mehed Tallinnas käisid [Wikidata]" (English: When Anija men visited Tallinn) describes the life of 19th century Tallinn, from the perspective of a peasant, including a section about peasants from the lands of the historic Anija Manor [et] getting beaten up by feudal lords in Tallinn.

In 1922, A. H. Tammsaare wrote his novel "Kõrboja Peremees" in the Kaserahu Manor [et], ruins of which currently lay next to the Kose-Jägala road, a kilometer south of the current Kaunissaare Reservoir by road. The setting of the novel is inspired by the historic Koitjärve area, which is also reflected in the 1979 film adaption of the same name, directed by Leida Laius, filmed in the Paukjärve area, on the eastern border of current Anija Parish.