We would like to introduce geocachers some nice places in the city of Paldiski.
The oldest known name of this area – Rogerwiek (Rågervik) comes from the Swedes, who at the end of XIII century started here to build their settlements along the seashore. So did the territory of the present Paldiski and its bay worn a name of “Rogerwiek” until the year of 1762, when Catherine II renamed it to “Baltiyskiy Port” (in translation – Baltic Port). “Paldiski”, the Estonian pronunciation of the Russian word “Baltiskij”, became the town official name in 1933.
During the reign of the Russian Czar Peter I, willing to acquire the access to the Baltic Sea, which at that time was mostly dominated by Sweden, in 1700 Russia got involved in the Great Northern War. Initially, Russian fleet was based in Kronstadt harbor near St. Petersburg. Therefore, even during the war in 1710, Peter I was concerned with finding a new more favorable location for his naval base. Rogerwiek was the only place they have picked. It didn’t freeze during the winter, but its coast was completely unsuitable for construction of the fortress. Five years later czar took part in prospecting expedition himself and made a crucial decision to build here a port and military fortress. On July 23, 1718 the Peter the Great solemnly threw a stone into the bay marking the beginning of the construction of the port. This day is considered the founding date of the town.
The cache Peetri Toll is situated in the old building which was built as a customs office for the harbour. It operated in the same building until the overthrow of the Russian Czar Nicholas II. Today there is the tavern Peetri Toll.
You can visit the cache on every day from 11 a.m. till 22 p.m. The cache is a regular sized hermetic box. It contains a log book and a pen. The cache is hidden inside the tavern and you have to use the hint in order to get it. The password is „Can I order geosalad“. The whole idea of this cache is to sense old times and to show this little-known place to all geocachers. Inside tavern you will find tourist maps, souvenirs, postcards, books and an exhibition of local history. Geocachers don't have to buy anything in order to get the box. So please enjoy the cache and the place like everyone else.