Jõgeva (german: Laisholm) is a small town in

Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...

with a population of around 5000 people. It is the capital of

Jõgeva Parish Jõgeva Parish ( et, Jõgeva vald) is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 13,513 (2018) and an area of 458 km² (177 mi²). Populated places ;Towns: Jõgeva (administrative center) ;Small borou ...

and

Jõgeva County Jõgeva County ( et, Jõgeva maakond or ''Jõgevamaa'') is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in eastern part of the country and borders Ida-Viru County to the north-east, Lake Peipus to the east, Tartu County to the south, Viljandi C ...

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 Poland was ruled at various times either by dukes and princes (10th to 14th centuries) or by kings (11th to 18th centuries). During the latter period, a tradition of free election of monarchs made it a uniquely electable position in Europe (16th ...

. During the

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...

reign in Estonia (1582–1622) it was part of Laiuse starostwo, which became Laiuse

fief A fief (; la, feudum) was a central element in medieval contracts based on feudal law. It consisted of a form of property holding or other rights granted by an Lord, overlord to a vassal, who held it in fealty or "in fee" in return for a for ...

during

Swedish Swedish or ' may refer to: Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically: * Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland ** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...

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 World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

nearly 60% of the town was destroyed. During the

Soviet occupation During World War II, the Soviet Union occupied and annexed several countries effectively handed over by Nazi Germany in the secret Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact of 1939. These included the eastern regions of Poland (incorporated into two different ...

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

Location

Jõgeva is situated on the right shore of

Pedja River The Pedja ( et, Pedja jõgi) is the fourth longest river in Estonia. Its source is near Simuna on the southern slopes of the Pandivere Upland. The river flows for 122 km through Lääne-Viru, Jõgeva and Tartu counties before joining t ...

which flows through the city from north to south. Parallel with the river is the Tallinn–Tartu railway line. The major cities

Tartu Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia after the Northern European country's political and financial capital, Tallinn. Tartu has a population of 91,407 (as of 2021). It is southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of ...

and

Tallinn Tallinn () is the most populous and capital city of Estonia. Situated on a bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn has a population of 437,811 (as of 2022) and administratively lies in the Harju ' ...

are respectively 51 and from Jõgeva, both connected through railway as well as through highways.

Nature and climate

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

Humid continental climate A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and freezing ...

(Dfb). Winters are usually snowy and cold. It is known as the coldest place in Estonia with the lowest temperature of . Summers are warm and often humid, some days the maximum can reach 30- 35C. Thunder season starts in April and ends usually in the end of October.

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 and buildings

*The house museum of Estonian poet

Betti Alver Elisabet "Betti" Alver ( in Jõgeva – 19 June 1989 in Tartu), was one of Estonia's most notable poets. She was among the first generation to be educated in schools of an independent Estonia. She went to grammar school in Tartu. Writing S ...

- the house by the railway station where she was born; *Külmasammas - a monument marking the Estonian cold record of recorded in Jõgeva in 1940; *The

Estonian War of Independence The Estonian War of Independence ( et, Vabadussõda, literally "Freedom War"), also known as the Estonian Liberation War, was a defensive campaign of the Estonian Army and its allies, most notably the United Kingdom, against the Bolshevik westwa ...

memorial stone to commemorate the casualties; *The memorial to the casualties of the

; *The memorial to the Estonian deportees during Soviet occupation in 1941 and 1949;

International relations

Twin towns - Sister cities

The former municipality of Jõgeva was twinned with: *

Jonava Jonava ( ; pl, Janów; german: Janau) is the ninth largest city in Lithuania with a population of . It is located in Kaunas County in central Lithuania, north east of Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. It is served by Kaunas Interna ...

, Lithuania *

Kaarina Kaarina (; sv, S:t Karins, i.e. " Saint Catherine's") is a small town and municipality of Finland. It is located in the Southwest Finland region and is a neighbouring town of Turku, which is the capital of Southwest Finland, therefore Kaarina ...

, Finland *

Karlstad Karlstad (, ) is the 20th-largest city in Sweden, the seat of Karlstad Municipality, the capital of Värmland County, and the largest city in the province Värmland in Sweden. The city proper had 65,856 inhabitants in 2020 with 95,167 inhabitants ...

, Sweden *

Keuruu Keuruu (; sv, Keuru) is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Central Finland region. The municipality has a population of () and covers an area of of which is water. The popul ...

, Finland

Gallery

Betti Alveri mälestusmärk Jõgeval.jpg, Monument to the poet Betti Alver in Jõgeva Jõgeva pangahoone.JPG, Bank in Jõgeva Jõgeva päästekomando hoone.JPG, Fire station and rescue building Jõgeva train station 2005.jpg, Jõgeva railway station Jõgeva.jpg, Jõgeva central square Jõgeva endine jaamahoone.jpg, Old railway station Jõgeva bussijaam.JPG, Bus station Jõgeva veetorn.jpg, Water tower Betti Alveri muuseum 2012.JPG,

museum Jõgeva Kultuurikeskus.JPG, Cultural center

Notable people

Vallo Allingu Vallo Allingu (born 11 January 1978 in Jõgeva, Estonia) is a retired Estonian professional basketballer who last played for Tartu Ülikool/Rock at the center position. Allingu started his senior club career with Korvpalli Meistriliiga teams li ...

(born 1978), basketball player, born in Jõgeva. * Saskia Alusalu (born 1994), speed skater, born in Jõgeva. *

(1906–1989), poet, born in Jõgeva. * Ain Evard (born 1962) high jumper, born in Jõgeva. * Robin Kool (aka "ropz"; born 1999), esports player, born in Jõgeva. *

Aire Koop Aire Koop (until 1987, Aire Johanson; born 30 May 1957) is an Estonian stage, film, and television actress whose career began in the late 1970s. Early life and education Aire Koop was born Aire Johanson in Jõgeva. After graduating from Jõgeva ...

(born 1957), actress, born in Jõgeva. *

Alo Kõrve Alo Kõrve (born 2 December 1978) is an Estonian stage, film, and television actor. Early life and education Alo Kõrve was born in Jõgeva, Jõgeva County to Are Kõrve and his wife (''née'' Simson). He is the youngest of two siblings; his old ...

(born 1978), actor, born in Jõgeva. *

Hele Kõrve Hele Kõrve (until 2009, Hele Kõre; born 7 January 1980) is an Estonian stage, television, film and voice actress and singer. Early life and education Hele Kõrve was born Hele Kõre in 1980 in the town of Jõgeva, in Jõgeva County. She graduat ...

(born 1980), actress, born in Jõgeva. *

Alo Mattiisen Alo Mattiisen (22 April 1961 – 30 May 1996) was an Estonian musician and composer. One of the most famous melodies that he composed was a patriotic song titled "No land is alone", with lyrics written by the Estonian poet Jüri Leesment. Sev ...

(1961–1996), musician and composer, born in Jõgeva. * Mati Meos (born 1946), engineer and politician, born in Jõgeva. *

Erki Pütsep Erki Pütsep (born 25 May 1976 in Jõgeva) is an Estonian professional road bicycle racer who last rode for the team. He is the three time national road race champion (2004, 2006 and 2007) and won the E.O.S. Tallinn GP in 2007. In 2011 he won ...

(born 1976), road bicycle racer, born in Jõgeva. *

Tiit Sukk Tiit Sukk (born 21 November 1974) is an Estonian stage, television, voice, and film actor, director and television presenter. Early life and education Tiit Sukk was born and raised in Jõgeva, Jõgeva County, where he attended primary and secon ...

(born 1974), actor, born in Jõgeva. *

Alar Varrak Alar Varrak (born 20 April 1982) is an Estonian basketball coach and a former point guard. He is the assistant coach of Kalev/Cramo of in the VTB United League. Career Varrak was born in Jõgeva, and spent his short playing career in the Esto ...

(born 1982), basketball player and coach, born in Jõgeva. * Luule Viilma (1950–2002), physician, esotericist and parapsychologist, born in Jõgeva. * Igor Volke (born 1950), ufologist and author, born in Jõgeva.

References

;Notes

External links

Webcamera in Jõgeva center
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jogeva Cities and towns in Estonia Former municipalities of Estonia Populated places in Jõgeva County Kreis Dorpat 16th-century establishments in Estonia Populated places established in the 16th century