Jõgeva, Estonia

🇪🇪 Jõgeva is a small town in Estonia. It is the capital of Jõgeva Parish and Jõgeva County.

History Jõgeva was first mentioned in 1599 as Jagiwa manor, being established only recently on the lands of the same named village by the orders of the Polish king. During the Polish reign in Estonia (1582–1622) it was part of Laiuse starostwo, which became Laiuse fief during Swedish rule (1622–1721).

In 1756, Jõgeva manor became the property of Gotthard Johann von Manteuffel (1690–1763) and remained in the family of von Manteuffel until 1919 when it was nationalized by the government. In 1876, a railway station, named Laisholm after the manor, was established near the village of Jõgeva. The owner of Jõgeva manor, Ernst Gotthard von Manteuffel (1844–1922), started renting out land around the railway station in 1903. After that, the village grew quickly. On October 13, 1919, Jõgeva became a borough and on May 1, 1938, a town.

During the Second World War nearly 60% of the town was destroyed.

During the Soviet occupation of Estonia Jõgeva became an important administrative centre with several big industries. Many new administrative, commercial and residential buildings were erected at that time.

Geography: Location Jõgeva is situated on the right shore of Pedja River which flows through the city from north to south. Parallel with the river is the Tallinn–Tartu railway line. The major cities Tartu and Tallinn are respectively 51 and 154 km (96 miles) from Jõgeva, both connected through railway as well as through highways.

Nature Jõgeva is located between big drumlins. The hill of Laiuse is located east from the town. River Pedja passes through the town.

Culture In July Jõgevatreff, an annual bikers reunion takes place. The culmination of the event is the parade of the bikers through the town. In August, the annual Garlic Festival is held. Jõgeva is also regarded as the headquarters of the Estonian Santa Claus.

Sights • The house museum of Estonian poet Betti Alver - the house by the railway station where she was born; • Külmasammas - a monument marking the Estonian cold record of −43.5 °C (−46 °F) recorded in Jõgeva in 1940; • The Estonian War of Independence memorial stone to commemorate the casualties; • The memorial to the casualties of the Second World War; • The memorial to the Estonian deportees during Soviet occupation in 1941 and 1949;