The 'Keelutsoon', or the "forbidden zone", is not just a geographical name, but an impressive testimony to the history of Saaremaa. On a bike tour through this area, you will not only be enchanted by the island's untouched nature, but also touched by the gravity of the past.
From 1948 to 1991, during the occupation, Saaremaa remained inaccessible to many, shrouded in mystery and isolated from the outside world. Residents required a new visa for each visit, even if family lived on the island. A bureaucratic process that only increased the isolation.
The West Coast, the core zone of the ban, was particularly heavily guarded. Here, where cyclists can now feel the wind in their hair and breathe in the scent of the sea, border guards once patrolled, vigilant and relentless. Only farmers during their working hours and border guards were allowed to travel on the Päranditee, this quiet street.
Today, as you cycle through this historic area, you can feel the echoes of the past. The wind carries stories that tell of longing, separation and hope. It is a place that invites the cyclist not only to enjoy the beauty of the landscape, but also to pause for a moment to think about the history inscribed on this earth. It is a journey through time that reminds us how valuable freedom and movement are.