WEATHER-HEAT WAVE/ESTONIA-ABANDONED PRISON Estonians cool off by diving around former prison

Record ID: 148353

  • Title: WEATHER-HEAT WAVE/ESTONIA-ABANDONED PRISON Estonians cool off by diving around former prison
  • Date: 6th July 2015
  • Summary: RUMMU, ESTONIA (JULY 4, 2015) (REUTERS) RUMMU QUARRY AND PRISON ABANDONED PRISON TERRITORY PEOPLE WALKING ALONG PRISON WALL BARBED WIRE, PEOPLE RESTING BY WATER BEACH-GOERS SEEN THROUGH HOLE IN COLLAPSED WALL BEACH WITH RUINS OF ABANDONED PRISON VARIOUS OF PEOPLE JUMPING INTO WATER FROM RUINS (SOUNDBITE) (Estonian) TOURIST, JAANIKA RUUTMA, SAYING: "We came to show it to th
  • Embargoed: 21st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Estonia
  • Country: Estonia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8LOY5LZLHJIIK99WGLMSLQ5MT
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: What used to be a prison and labour camp has become very popular beach in Estonia, with visitors relaxing on the shore of a flooded quarry and exploring submerged structures.
    Prisoners from the nearby Rummu prison used to work in the marble and limestone mining quarry when it was operational. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the prison was closed and pumps keeping the quarry dry stopped, turning it into a small lake with submerged buildings.
    Thanks to the limestone, water in the reservoir is crystal clear and unusually blue for Estonia. The quarry is approximately 10 meters deep, but the visibility can reach up to 40 meters in good conditions.
    The territory is unmanaged and unguarded so anyone can enter the old prison buildings and enjoy the stay on the beach among the ruins.
    "We came to show it to the children. It was interesting for them, they wanted to know where exactly this prison is under the water. So we thought we would get some sun and swim as well," visitor Jaanika Ruutma said.
    Even though Estonia has sandy beaches on its Baltic coast, the Rummu quarry still attracts tourists who want a different beach experience.
    "For me it was - wow, it looks like Gaza or something, it was special. But in the end I am surprised by the place. It looks special, these contrasts between the jail, ex-communist jail or something and in the end we have nice place, nice lake where you can swim. It's clear, it's clean, and so it's nice," tourist from Belgium, Imad Lasri, said.
    "It is very cosy here as the territory is not big. The sand hill protects from the wind very well because when it is windy it cannot be felt as much as on the beach by the sea. And those who like the prison can go there and look around the leftovers of the Soviet Union," tourist from St Petersburg, Maria Azovcova, said.
    Europe has been sweltering under a heat wave over the weekend, with high temperatures recorded across the continent.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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