Väinatamm is the name of the largest

causeway A causeway is a track, road or railway on the upper point of an embankment across "a low, or wet place, or piece of water". It can be constructed of earth, masonry, wood, or concrete. One of the earliest known wooden causeways is the Sweet T ...

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

on the Estonian national road 10. The causeway, opened in 1896, connects the island of

Muhu Muhu (also called Muhumaa in Estonian) is an island in the West Estonian archipelago of the Baltic Sea. With an area of , it is the third largest island belonging to Estonia, after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Together with neighbouring smaller i ...

, located between

Saaremaa Saaremaa (; ) is the largest and most populous island in Estonia. Measuring , its population is 31,435 (as of January 2020). The main island of the West Estonian archipelago (Moonsund archipelago), it is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hi ...

and the mainland, with Saaremaa. Construction of the causeway cut the sea crossing between the continent and Saaremaa by about half, and transit time even further. In 1917, the causeway was the site of heavy fighting during Operation Albion, as German bicycle troops attempted to cut off and encircle retreating Russian forces, while securing the route to Muhu. As of 2022, it was planned to create openings in the causeway to improve the deteriorating environmental situation in the Väike Strait.

References

Causeways in Europe Transport infrastructure completed in 1896 Muhu Parish Saaremaa Parish Buildings and structures in Saare County Tourist attractions in Saare County {{Estonia-stub