Finding the Raketa Shipwreck
Image credit: Haus of Hiatus
In late April 2023, I decided to venture out to the next county to search for a shipwreck that had piqued my curiosity after spotting it on social media. It was quite cool to think that I had cycled alongside this hidden gem during my Estonian leg of the Eurovelo 11 last year, without even realising this dramatic site was hidden behind some trees!
The Raketa shipwreck, or 'Laevavrakk' as the locals call it, is nestled in the heart of Lahemaa National Park, on Estonia’s northern coastline. This fascinating shipwreck is the remains of a logistics vessel that tragically ran aground in the 1950s. The ship was named Raketa, which apparantly translates to "rocket" in Estonian – quite a fitting name for a vessel that once sailed through the cold, choppy Baltic seas.
As I delved deeper into its history, I discovered that the Raketa was constructed in 1948 and served as a cargo ship until it was decommissioned in the late 1950s. However, it wasn't long before the ship met its untimely end, running aground on the shore near Loksa in Lahemaa National Park. Despite its fate, the ship has since become a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Estonia's maritime heritage.
The sight of the Raketa shipwreck is truly awe-inspiring. It measures almost 45 metres in length and around 9 metres in width. Its skeletal remains loom over the shoreline, creating a unique and intriguing sight that blends into the local landscape. As my partner and I were walking away, other visitors (maybe digital nomads also!) were heading to explore the shipwreck and take photographs.
You might also like to read:
If you’re seriously considering a year as a digital nomad, whether that’s to explore the world, setup a virtual business, or both, I strongly urge you to put Estonia at the top of your list for all the reasons I mention below – however don’t be surprised if you don’t want to return back to your country of origin at the end of it!
Secondly, I make no apologies for being so enthusiastic about the place, I’ve travelled in over 60 countries across the world and feel like I’ve found somewhere that is truly remarkable for many good reasons that people aren’t yet aware of.