Landscape
Ristimägi
On 20 August 1781 the Swedish-speaking peasants of Hiiumaa held a last service on this sandy rise before being driven from their farms. Catherine the Great had ordered them resettled in southern Ukraine; about a thousand set out as winter came on, and only around half lived to found Gammalsvenskby on the Dnieper. Since then every passer-by is expected to leave a small cross made from twigs or other natural material. A later legend adds that two wedding parties once fought here on the narrow road, so lonely visitors who leave a cross are said to find a partner.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
20. augustil 1781 pidasid Hiiumaa rootsi talupojad sellel liivasel künkal viimase jumalateenistuse, enne kui nad taludest välja aeti. Keisrinna Katariina II käsul asustati nad ümber Lõuna-Ukrainasse; talve hakul asus teele umbes tuhat inimest ja vaid ligikaudu pooled jõudsid elusalt kohale, et rajada Dnepri äärde Gammalsvenskby. Sestpeale peab iga möödakäija jätma siia väikese risti okstest või muust loodusmaterjalist. Hilisem legend lisab, et kitsal teel läksid kord tülli kaks pulmarongi, ja seepärast leidvat üksikud ristitegijad endale kaasa.