Abja-Paluoja

Abja-Paluoja is a town in Mulgi Parish, Viljandi County, in southern Estonia. Before 2017, it was the administrative centre of Abja Parish.

History

Abja-Paluoja was first mentioned in 1505. Abja-Paluoja gained town rights in 1993 and became a sovereign municipality but in 1998 it was merged into surrounding rural municipality Abja Parish.

From 1897 to 1973, the railway line passed through Abja-Paluoja, and there was a railway station in the town.

In 1913, a flax factory was established near Abja-Paluoja because flax cultivation had developed in the area.

Since 1940, the Abja Gymnasium has offered secondary education. The kindergarten in Abja-Paluoja was founded in 1912.

Abja-Paluoja was the center of Abja raion from 1950 to 1962.

Notable people

• Karl August Hindrey (1875–1947), writer, journalist, and cartoonist
• Aino Jõgi (1922–2013), linguist and translator
• Kaimo Kuusk (born 1975), diplomat and foreign intelligence officer^[2]
• Mati Laur (born 1955), historian
• Tarmo Pihlap (1952–1999), singer and guitarist
• Riho Västrik (born 1965), filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, journalist, and historian^[3]

Gallery

• 
  Park in central Abja-Paluoja
• 
  Abja Museum in the historic bank and post office building
• 
  Former railway station (now the building is used by a Pentecostal congregation)
• 
  Fire depot
• 
  Bus station
• 
  Sports and Health Centre

References

External links

• Abja Gymnasium (in Estonian)