Sõrve peninsula

Historically, the peninsula had considerable military significance, dominating the Irbe Strait and the sea route to Riga.

During World War II, the peninsula was first occupied by the Soviet Red Army in June 1940 and, along with the rest of Estonian territory, formally annexed into the Stalinist USSR in August 1940.

The peninsula saw heavy fighting between the invading Soviet and defending German forces in October and November 1944 (Moonsund Landing Operation).

In 1946, the Soviet military authorities declared Sõrve a restricted "border zone" access to which was prohibited to any civilians, except the small remaining local population.

The current lighthouse on Sõrve säär ("tip of Sõrve", known for its shingle beach), a cylindrical concrete tower, was built in 1960 to replace a square stone lighthouse built in 1770, and subsequently destroyed during World War II in 1944.