Raadiosideks

Raadiosideks is a type of rural settlement found in Estonia. It is a term used to describe a side house or a smaller dwelling located adjacent to a main house, often belonging to the same family. These structures were traditionally built near the main house as part of a farmstead and served various purposes, including housing farmhands, providing storage space, and offering additional living quarters.

Raadiosideks are typically smaller in size and design compared to the main house, but they can still be quite large and are often well-appointed. Some may possess characteristics similar to those of a small house, while others resemble further reduced types of farm buildings. In many cases, they are connected to the main house either by an outhouse or a roof overhang.

During World War II, the Nazi occupants of Estonia requisitioned many of these side houses for their own use, leading to a period where they were frequently omitted from Estonian master plans for agriculture and other rural areas. As urbanization increased across the post-war period, many raadiosideks were considered unnecessary and were either demolished or incorporated into existing farms and farmhouses.

The architectural and historical significance of these structures has only recently been addressed in a broader sense. Because of this, research focused on preserving and documenting raadiosideks has intensified in the past few years. Efforts to catalog and classify the architecture and distribution of such structures across Estonia continue, contributing to better understanding and facilitating a greater appreciation for this type of Estonian cultural heritage.