müüritarade

Müüritarade refers to a type of traditional Estonian outdoor kitchen or summer kitchen. These structures were common in rural Estonian households, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The primary purpose of a müüritare was to house cooking facilities and provide a space for food preparation away from the main dwelling. This helped to keep the main house cooler in the summer and reduce the risk of fire associated with open flames and cooking.

A typical müüritare was a simple, often unheated, stone or brick building. It usually contained a hearth or a stove, a chimney, and a work surface for preparing food. Sometimes, there would also be a small oven for baking bread or other goods. In many cases, the müüritare also served as a storage area for kitchen utensils and food items, especially those that needed to be kept cool. The design varied based on local building traditions and available materials.

The use of müüritarade was particularly prevalent during the warmer months when outdoor activities and cooking were more common. Families would often spend significant time in and around their müüritare during the summer. As modern amenities like indoor kitchens with improved ventilation and safety features became more widespread, the müüritare gradually fell out of common use. Today, many müüritarade are preserved as historical examples of rural Estonian life and architecture, sometimes repurposed for other uses or as garden sheds.