Map of Estonia showing the location of Paide.

Church of the Holy Cross

Paide Castle

Paide (German: Weißenstein, Polish: Biały Kamień) is the capital of Järva County, Estonia.

A castle built by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword is located here. The town was formally founded 30 September 1291 by Halt, master of the Livonian Order.

As of 1 January 2005 the population of Paide was 9606.

During the Cold War, Paide was host to Koigi, a front-line fighter air base.

Paide is also home to Paide Ühisgümnaasiumi Staadion, the home ground of Meistriliiga football team, Paide Linnameeskond.

Notable residents

• Ita Ever, stage and film actress
• Johannes Hesse, father of author Hermann Hesse
• Carmen Kass, model
• Arvo Pärt, classical music conductor

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Paide is twinned with:

• Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany
• Fredensborg-Humlebæk, Denmark
• Håbo, Sweden
• Hamina, Finland
• Havirov, Czech Republic
• Mažeikiai, Lithuania
• Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine
• Saldus, Latvia
• Westminster, United States

See also

• Paide Castle
• Paide church

Coordinates: 58°53′8″N 25°33′26″E / 58.88556°N 25.55722°E / 58.88556; 25.55722

Cities and towns (Linnad) of Estonia Abja-Paluoja · Antsla · Elva · Haapsalu · Jõgeva · Jõhvi · Kallaste · Kärdla · Karksi-Nuia · Kehra · Keila · Kilingi-Nõmme · Kiviõli · Kohtla-Järve · Kunda · Kuressaare · Lihula · Loksa · Maardu · Mõisaküla · Mustvee · Narva · Narva-Jõesuu · Otepää · Paide · Paldiski · Pärnu · Põltsamaa · Põlva · Püssi · Rakvere · Räpina · Rapla · Saue · Sillamäe · Sindi · Suure-Jaani · Tallinn · Tamsalu · Tapa · Tartu · Tõrva · Türi · Valga · Viljandi · Võhma · Võru Jaanilinn (Ivangorod) and Petseri (Pechory) were annexed by the Soviet Union in 1945 and are currently part of Russia.

Municipalities of Järva County Urban municipality Paide Rural municipalities Albu · Ambla · Imavere · Järva-Jaani · Kareda · Koeru · Koigi · Paide · Roosna-Alliku · Türi · Väätsa