First Glimpse of the Baltic Sea: Capturing Pärnu's Dramatic Coastline

From Riga, we continued our journey north to Estonia, with our first stop being Pärnu, about 200 kilometers from Riga. Although we had been traveling through the Baltic States, this was the first time we truly saw the Baltic Sea. You could argue that we were close to the sea while visiting the Curonian Spit near Klaipéda, but there we were more focused on the lagoon and didn’t actually reach the Baltic shore. Pärnu is a coastal city known for its sandy beaches and as a popular summer destination. During the Soviet era, it was a favored resort town, famous for its sanatoriums offering spa treatments and mud baths. Despite suffering some damage during WWII, Pärnu has preserved much of its character. Post-war rebuilding and Soviet-era construction have shaped the city’s architectural landscape.Today, Pärnu attracts tourists, especially from Estonia, Finland, and Germany. Many Germans visit due to historical and cultural ties, dating back to medieval times when German crusaders and merchants were active in the region. On our first night, a thunderstorm created a dramatic and photogenic sky, offering very interesting opportunities for capturing some seascapes - Pärnu, Estonia