Our story

In the 1930s, Taevaskoja became a destination for Estonian tourists and a popular place to spend the summer. One of the reasons was the opening of the Tartu–Petseri railway in 1931, which made getting to the area much easier. The beautiful nature and fresh air here attracted people from all over Estonia.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a children's home and summer colony began operating on the grounds of today's Taevaskoja Holiday Centre. The undertaking was led by the Tartu I Evangelical Christian Free Society. By 1938, the ground floor of the children's home had been completed, allowing children to stay on site for longer. Even then, the area was a popular summer gathering place, as Bible courses were also held here, attended by more than 50 people over the summer.

By 1940, 40 children aged 5–13, mainly from poorer families, had already spent their third summer at the Taevaskoja Children's Home. At the same time, the Estonian government was also planning a separate bone tuberculosis sanatorium in Taevaskoja. The 1935 architectural competition was won by August Volberg and Edgar Velbri, but their functionalist sanatorium building was never built at the time.

In the post-war period, however, the idea of a sanatorium was realised, and in 1945 the Republican Taevaskoja Children's Glandular Tuberculosis Sanatorium began operating here. Taevaskoja's fresh air and natural environment were ideal for restoring children's health. While children with tuberculosis were initially brought here from all over Russia, in 1969 it became a sanatorium for children with chronic respiratory problems more broadly. The sanatorium operated on the grounds of today's holiday centre until 1993.

During the sanatorium years, buildings were constructed, many of which are still in use today in renovated form. In the 1940s a sauna building was built, on whose site the seminar building now stands. The camp house, then single-storey, has since become a multi-storey building with a dining hall. A warehouse built in the 1970s was turned into a cosy small holiday house with apartments spanning several floors.

We value local life and the community. Several village Christmas parties have been held at Taevaskoja Holiday Centre, and we have contributed to community work days by handing out free soup.

Visitors to the holiday centre can also enjoy local food. We prefer to use produce from local farmers and suppliers. Food should be simple and honest – no ready-made semi-finished products. If there is schnitzel on the menu, it comes straight from the pan.

We involve local people in running the holiday centre's activities. Our guides grew up right here in Taevaskoja village and know the local nature and way of life inside out. They talk about Taevaskoja the way they have seen and experienced it themselves over the years.

We are a member of MTÜ Eesti Maaturism, Põlva Partnerluskogu and Kupland. All to create the best conditions for a holiday in Põlva County, under the tallest pine trees in the world.