"Saatse boot"

Estonia / Polva / Varska /
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An area of Russian territory of 115 hectares (280 acres) that extends through the road number 178 between the Estonian villages of Lutepää and Sesniki (themselves between the larger settlement Värska and village of Saatse) in Värska Parish. The piece of land resembles a boot, which is why it is given this name.

It is notable as until recently it meant that the Estonian villages of Sesniki, Ulitina and Saatse were effectively enclaves, as by road they could only be reached by travelling 900 metres (3,000 ft) through Russian territory.[1] Russia does not require any permit for driving through the area, though it is forbidden to pass through the area on foot or stop one's car. People who stop their car (also because of lack of fuel) or pick mushrooms are arrested and released after interrogations and payment of fines.[2] The road has gravel surface. Russia allows Estonia to maintain the road, but not to rebuild it. Estonia would like to dig ditches and pave the road, which is currently not allowedю

In 2008 a new road connecting Sesniki to Matsuri opened, making it possible to reach the aforementioned villages without necessarily passing through the 'boot'. This is however a 15-to-20-kilometre (9.3–12.4 mi) detour if going from Värskaю
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Coordinates:   57°54'22"N   27°42'44"E
This article was last modified 3 years ago