This stretch of the shore of Lake Peipsi is home to a good number of Russian Old Believers, of which there are about 15,000 in Estonia. These were Russians whose ancestors went against reforms in the Russian Orthodox Church 300 years ago and for centuries were persecuted by the Tsars as a result. Kolkja is one of the villages where they were able to thrive and practice their devoutly religious lifestyle, which involves a large degree of ritual. The small museum gives a bit of insight into what that life is like, with ordinary objects collected from old homes, traditional clothing and so on. The museum is located in back of the village's school and you have to phone in advance to arrange to see it. When you're here, try to visit the locally-famous Kala-sibula restaurant, named for the traditional Old Believers' diet of fish and onions.
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