From legend to the present day – how the resort in Värska came about

The people of Värska know how to tell a legend about how and why the mud and mineral water of Lake Lämmijärv acquired healing properties. Legend has it that this was a consequence of Kalevipoeg’s sawmill import business.
Based on materials collected by Vello Jüriöö
Namely, in those distant times, the Immortal Kaštšei and the mole Jaaga brought Kalevipoeg a Viagra-like miracle drug in Russia so that he would not be disgraced with the girls in Finland. They also gave him strong drinks for the horn. As a contraband, he also put a handful of Chinese gold and silver needles in the lining of his fur coat.
The water of Lake Lämmijärv disappeared and the man happily returned to the surface of his homeland. However, there was a commotion on our shore. Someone had carried the tongue and Kalevipoeg was still caught by the machinery of the Sorts. The hedgehog saved him from worse by taking Kalevipoeg’s fur coat with precious metal needles and ordered him to throw the miracle drugs into the lake. No prohibited goods were found on Kalevipoeg during the search. Potions and ancient Viagra mixed with the mud of Värska Bay. The hedgehog hid Chinese needles under an ash tree in the village of Väike-Rõsna. Since then, powerful water has been coming from the depths of Setomaa, the mud has healing powers, and the hedgehog’s needles make money. Today, the hedgehog has also confessed all the old recipes and teachings that were with the miracle herbs.
The Värska resort has many things that make this place unique. Visitors to the Värska Sanatorium are always fascinated by the beautiful nature of Setomaa, which can be admired and enjoyed from the windows of the cozy rooms. The incomparable pine forest air and refreshing walks in the forest or by the lake guarantee everyone a good appetite and a restful sleep.
The Värska spa treatment center is unique in Estonia in terms of its treatment arsenal. Natural treatments are offered: freshwater therapeutic mud from Lake Lämmijärv and the famous Värska mineral water, which is extracted from deep underground. Freshwater therapeutic mud is ten times richer in organic substances than sea mud and contains a lot of hydrogen sulfide.
Värska mud is considered one of the most unique therapeutic freshwater muds in the world, which is said to have no analogues. Värska mud is said to contain a large amount of estrogen, the female sex hormone, which makes it unsurpassed in terms of skin rejuvenation properties. The thick mud is diluted with 570 million-year-old super-salty Värska water, which in turn provides a truly unique combination in the world.
The foundation for the establishment of the Värska Sanatorium was laid by Government Decree No. 212 in 1971, when the Värska area was recognized as a resort of local importance. Värska had all the natural prerequisites for it to become an excellent resort: mineral water with different properties in several variants, unique healing mud, pine forests, a warm-water lake bay protected from winds, the absence of atmospheric and water pollution, relative silence and peace. What a wealth!
In June 1972, the issue of establishing a future sanatorium was discussed at the office of the Põlva District Committee of the European Communist Party. On June 16, 1972, a meeting of the Põlva District Agricultural Council was held, where the construction of a sanatorium was also discussed, and at this meeting it was decided to start building a 400-person sanatorium.
An 11-member preparatory committee was formed and the committee was given the task of developing the statutes of the sanatorium by July 20 and convening a general meeting of shareholders on July 27.
At the general meeting of shareholders, it was decided to establish the Inter-Estate Sanatorium of Agricultural Workers “Värska” and approved the statutes and budget (50,000 rubles in income and 21,000 rubles in expenses). It was decided to hold a competition for the draft design of the sanatorium and 3,000 rubles were allocated for this.
The first director of the Inter-Estate Sanatorium “Värska” was Vasily Talumees – the founder of the organization and chairman of the board in 1972-1985. He was responsible for going through all the bureaucratic hoops with the then authorities.
The first board determined the location of the Sanatorium on the shore of the bay, 3 km from Värska towards Lake Pskov. The board decided to apply to the Executive Committee of the Põlva District TSN for the allocation of land for the sanatorium on 40 ha and the construction of a 12-apartment residential building in Värska.
In 1973, the land allocated for the sanatorium was increased to 114.8 hectares and the sanatorium project was commissioned. On May 3, 1980, as a result of Dr. Ragnar Viir’s active and selfless work, the first patients began to be admitted to the Värska District Hospital building.

Developers of Värska Sanatorium through 50 years
Ragnar Viir – Founder of the Värska Experimental Mud Spa and Sanatorium
Vilen Künnapuu, Ülevi Eljand and Henn Karits – Architects and Designers of the Sanatorium
Vassili Talumees – 1972-1985, founder and chairman of the board of the inter-collective farm sanatorium rest home “Värska”.
Three 16-apartment residential buildings were built in Värka and a 36-apartment residential building in Väike-Rõsna. The sanatorium’s economic zone, the first stage of the sleeping block (96 beds) and the canteen building were completed.
Ain Muna – 1985-1988, chairman of the board of the Sanatorium.
Moving to the sanatorium’s current location, rooms for hydrotherapy and apparatus physiotherapy and dentistry were built in the economic zone, the building originally built as a boiler house was rebuilt into a sports and cinema hall. The construction period of the treatment block.
Koit Makke – 1988-1991, Chairman of the Board of the Sanatorium.
The treatment center, mud storage facility were completed and the provision of mud therapy procedures in the Värska hamlet was completed, construction of the second stage of the sleeping block began
Aleks Kõiv – 1991 May-1991 November, acting Chairman of the Board of the Sanatorium
Heli Taro – 1991 November-1993 April, Chief Physician-Director.
Prepared for the change of the sanatorium’s business form and on 12.03.1992 the inter-collective farm enterprise was reorganized into a joint-stock company.
Lembit Rohtma – 12.03.1992-1997, Chairman of the Board of AS Värska Sanatorium.
During the difficult situation that arose with the restoration of independence of the Republic and the monetary reform, he firmly led the reform of the company. One part of the unfinished sleeping block was completed.
Vello Saar – 12.04.1993-17.06.2024, CEO of AS Värska Sanatorium, member of the board.
Circumstances forced the sanatorium to reorganize its current management and economic activities. In 30 years, AS Värska Sanatorium has become a group. The hotel building that was left unfinished in 1992 has been completed, a water park and a boarding house have been established, and the service provision environment has been consistently modernized. Cooperation with universities and other research institutions has been launched.
Jaan Kabin – 1997-2023, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS Värska Sanatorium.
Rein Tiik – 30.03.2023- … Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS Värska Sanatorium.
Kairi Ustav – 13.11.2024- … CEO of AS Värska Sanatorium, member of the board.