Names
Värava (Värav)
Gate, gateway. Odd, name stated as random, but between two fungi Riisika and Puraviku on its E half, and next to Kaitse on its W half, random I think not. Given the nearby Liiva station was a junction for Peter the Great’s Naval Fortress Railway, and the street ending some 150 m from Vabaduse puiestee (qv.), I suspect a one-time checkpoint of some sort. Could be wrong.
Varbola (Varbola)
Town and hillfort: largest-known stronghold in 11‑13th‑C Estonia. Used as cemetery in 16-17th C. Latin name Castrum Warbole, Estonian name Jaanilinn or Iani-Lin, translating into English as John’s town or, in its shortened form, Johnston, not very romantic.
Varese (Vares)
Crow. Two species breeding in Estonia: künnivares, rook, Corvus frugilegus and plain old vares, hooded crow, C. corone. Estonian crows must be the worst weather-forecasters ever… Vares sadu vara laulab, hüva ilma hildasella (crow sings morning, rainfall warning; crow sings after, sun and laughter); or Kui vares soiub, tuleb vihma (If the crow caws, it pours) but Kui vares soiub, sula alla (if the crow caws, it thaws). Part of the Lilleküla bird-name group of streets. See also Vesipapi.
