võltsingute

Võltsingute is a small village situated in the southeastern part of Estonia, within Põlva County. The settlement lies approximately 12 kilometres north of the town of Põlva and is part of the administrative jurisdiction of Rõuge Parish. The village is positioned at an elevation of about 120 metres above sea level and is surrounded by mixed forest and agricultural land.

The earliest documented mention of Võltsingute dates back to the early 17th century, appearing in estate inventories and tax records of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, then under Polish-Lithuanian rule. Throughout the centuries, the population of the village has remained modest, traditionally engaged in subsistence farming, forestry, and small-scale dairy production. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Võltsingute was part of the Jõgeva Uyezd of the Russian Empire and later incorporated into independent Estonia after the 1918 declaration of independence.

Modern Võltsingute is characterized by a handful of residential homes and a few community structures, including a small chapel that serves as a local landmark. The village does not host significant industrial activity; its economy is largely supported by agriculture and the proximity of nearby towns, which provide employment opportunities for residents. Võltsingute also benefits from its rustic setting, offering scenic woodland trails and access to the surrounding natural environment.

Transportation to and from Võltsingute is primarily via regional roads connecting it to Rõuge and Põlva. Public transport options are limited, and residents usually rely on private vehicles. The village’s demographic profile reflects a typical rural Estonian population, with a slight aging trend noted in recent census data. Despite its small size, Võltsingute maintains a sense of community cohesion, often hosting local gatherings and traditional festivals that celebrate Estonian rural heritage. The village remains a quiet, picturesque example of Estonia’s countryside life.