At the border of Lake Peipsi and Lake Lämmijärv there is one of the most attractive tourist sights in the County of Tartu – the island of Piirissaare. For centuries Piirissaare has been a genuine border island. Before the Great Northern war the borderline between Russia and Sweden passed through the island, later it was the border island between two Russia’ s provinces. At present it is the border of the Republic of Estonia and Russia. The island of Piirissaare is not large; the territory of the dry land is only 7,5km². Most of the dry land is marshy covered with many rare plant species and only a meter higher than the water-level of Lake Peipsi.

It is said that Piirissaare was settled after the Great Northern war when the Old Believers fleeing from Russia came here. Also the men who wanted to escape the 25-year military service found refuge here. February in 1944 was a serious period for the island when the Soviet Army built a fore post for attacking Estonia. The German army command sent out bombers against the Russian troops who had come to the island across the lake. During two weeks 500 times bombers flew to the island and they bombed also the shores of Lake Peipsi near the island. Also, the local people who could not leave the island earlier suffered. There is a monument to the soldiers who perished in World War II.

At present Piirissaare is a very interesting island, with an archaic style of life: the Old Believers, Russian Orthodox and Lutheran communities live like next door friendly neighbours. In 1920 there were about 700 people. On 1 January 1999 there were only 102 people. The local people earn their living fishing and growing onions. There are three villages – Piiri, Tooni and Saare. Tooni is the municipal centre.

When the economic activities of the local people decrease, the conditions for the nesting birds become better; in spring you can find almost all the species of waterfowl including mute swans and white-tailed eagles. In addition to the protected plant species, six species of amphibians inhabit the island. There are exceptionally many frogs.

Accordingly to legends, Estonian epic hero Kalevipoeg made Piirissaare. The book by E. Laugaste and A. Rõõm (1958) contains a legend form the parish of Ahja:

Once upon a time Kalevipoeg had rest on the shore of Lake Peipsi. A witch came to him and brought some sleeping drug to him placing it under his head. Kalevipoeg had a sound sleep. When he at last woke up, he found a bunch of flowers under his head, he threw it into the lake and all kinds of things, pieces of the ground, rubbish and trash began to surround it. This is how two islands – Piirissaare and Peelapää – were born.