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Roela (Ruil in German) is a small borough (alevik) in Vinni Parish (Kirchspiel Finn before 1930), Lääne-Viru County (Wierland before 1919) in northeastern Estonia.[1]

Roela
Roela
Coordinates: 59°10′13″N 26°36′1″E
Country	Estonia
County	Lääne-Viru County
Parish	Vinni Parish
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)

History

Before the 13th century, there has been stronghold labelled in the Estonian language "Roela linnamägi", but there has not been any closer archaeological examination as per data from 2010. It was part of Viru-Jaagupi parish (ancient local council before Christianity arrived) and hence independent county of Virumaa until Livonian Crusade reached Virumaa in 1219.

Roela was mentioned first time in writing in 1241 in Danish Census Book (Liber Census Damae) and as per data, Manor was established as "Roilse" and "Vettaerokae" did belong to Henric de Vspessil and in 1453, Roela Manor house was built instead of the Vettaerokae village. The Manor house was mentioned first time under the name Rogell.

In 1836, Roela village did have 36 farms within its limits. 1905 Russian Revolution did also reach Roela. Manor house properties were damaged during the insurgency.

In 1916, serfdom abolishment in the Governorate of Estonia did not change the situation for the local peasants and the land around Roela was mostly owned by nobility, consisting of Baltic Germans, living in the Manor house.

After the Estonian War of Independence, Land reform in 1920 redistributed most of the land belonging to the Manor house to the local peasant population.[2][3]

Geography

Roela is located at the eastern edge of Pandivere Upland. The area has many springs, it is part of the Pandivere water protection area, and Kunda river starts from here at Uuemõisa area in Roela.

Next to Roela Manor house, there is a reservoir that was cleaned and shores were renovated in 2002.

Administrative districts

Roela has now local parish/council sub service centre that serves following villages: Roela alevik, Alavere, Lepiku, Lähtse, Obja, Puka, Rasivere, Ristiküla, Rünga, Saara, Soonuka ja Tammiku.[4]

Economy

Traditionally, agriculture and forestry have provided the livelihood to the local community. During Soviet occupation, Roela was designated as sovkhoz. Several different industries were developed in the area, such as turkey farming, that are no longer present anymore. Planned economy spared Roela region from the environmental destruction that some other areas were subject to in Virumaa.

At the moment there are several active farms in other fields such as beekeeping that also carry longer tradition in the area. Many of them are oriented to produce organic food due to the undisturbed and unspoiled ecological conditions in the past.

Education

• Ferdinand von Wrangell`i nim. Roela Põhikool, a basic school and kindergarten in Roela, named after Wrangell. The school had 75 pupils in 2009/2010.[5]

Notable people

• Ferdinand von Wrangel (1797–1870), Baltic German explorer and seaman in the Imperial Russian Navy, did live his last years before his death in Roela Manor house
• Mihkel Jürna (1899–1973), Novelist and translator
• Imbi Valgemäe [et] (1923–1960), Actress with a specialty of making children, especially boys, voice imitations
• Mihkel Juhkam (1884–1942), Politician, member of 1919 Estonian Constituent Assembly election and Minister of War in the government of August Rei in 1928-1929

References

External links

• Satellite map at Maplandia.com

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