Rummu Quarry Lake (Vasalemma)

Rummu Quarry Lake lies near Murru village by Vasalemma, about 40 km south-west of Tallinn in Lääne-Harju Parish, Harju County. It is one of Estonia's most photographed landscapes: a flooded limestone quarry with turquoise water, from which the roofs and walls of a former Soviet prison complex emerge. The quarry was worked by prison labour until the 1990s, and when pumping stopped the water rose and swallowed part of the buildings. The trip by car takes about 45 minutes via Route 8, with signs leading to the Rummu karjäär car park. Without a car, visitors can take an Elron train toward Vasalemma and then a taxi or a 3-4 km walk, which lengthens the journey to about 1 hour 30 minutes each way. In summer, parking or entry fees of a few euros can apply, and equipment hire for stand-up paddleboarding costs extra. Swimming, SUP and diving are possible in season, and the sunken buildings attract divers and photographers alike. A good one-day arc is to arrive in the morning, walk the quarry rim and the shore, swim or paddle through midday if the weather allows, and spend the afternoon on the nearby limestone hills before returning to Tallinn. July and August are best for swimming, while late April to May and September give photographs with fewer people. The water is cold and the limestone shore can be sharp, so water shoes are useful. There are no major services at the lake, so visitors should bring food, water and sun protection, or stop in Vasalemma or Tallinn for meals. Check current fees and rules on the quarry's own page before travelling, since access conditions change from year to year.