Tori

The stud at Tori was founded in 1856 to breed a working horse for Estonian farms, and the Tori breed developed here became the national horse, a strong harness animal used for agriculture and transport; the stud still operates, with stables, a riding hall and a museum of the breed, and visits can include seeing the horses and the historic buildings. A short distance away on the Parnu river is Tori Hell, Toripõrgu, a sandstone cave in the riverbank associated in folklore with the devil and with an underground passage; the cave is small and partly collapsed but the sandstone outcrop and the riverbank walk are pleasant. A church and the village complete the stop.

What you actually see

• The stud farm - the stables, riding hall and the Tori horses.
• The breed museum - the display on the development of the Tori horse.
• Tori Hell - the sandstone river cave and its folklore.
• The Parnu river - the outcrop and bank walk beside the cave.

When to go

May to September for the stud visits and the river walk; the stud keeps limited winter hours. Riding events and the annual horse day bring the stud to life. The cave is accessible year round.

Honest expectations

Stud visits usually need arranging in advance rather than turning up. The cave is small, partly collapsed and fenced in places, and disappoints those expecting a system. Facilities in the village are limited.

Nearby

Parnu lies west; Soomaa national park is east.