Ghosts and legends
· Vanalinn
Rataskaev Well
The well gave Rataskaevu Street its name and entered folklore as the home of a water spirit, offerings and dangerous depths.
The well was a vital source of water in the Old Town, but its dark depth also acquired a supernatural meaning. Folklore placed a water spirit here and told of offerings intended to appease it. Such stories expressed both respect and fear for a place essential to daily life, yet potentially fatal to anyone who fell in. Practical water supply and legend meet here in the story behind the street’s name.
Practical information
Address: Rataskaevu tänav
The historic well site is on Rataskaevu Street. Observe it as part of the streetscape; it is not a source of drinking water.