It is difficult to impress the experienced tourists in the European cities, but the “strawberry” city of Viljandi can do that. “Why the strawberry one?” – you may ask. It is obvious, the streets of this vibrant city are decorated with huge berries. Strawberries made of concrete, painted in red color, are the symbol of not just Viljandi, but the entire Viljandi County. Why the citizens love these berries so much?

The ripe red berry became the symbol of the center owing to the artist Paul Kondase and his painting "Eaters of Strawberries". The most famous Estonian naïvist lived and worked in Viljandi in the 20th century. During the lifetime, he did not have any personal exhibitions, but after his death the world of his fantasies became famous. The Art Center of Naïvism and Outsider Art of Paul Kondase was opened in 2003. It is located in the oldest part of the city, surrounded by the ruins of the castle. The attractive building of the red brick in the 19th century was the possession of the St. John's Church, in the 20th century, the building was functioning as Viljandi Central Library. The permanent exhibition of the museum has 26 paintings, among them there is a famous one “Strawberry Eaters”. The artist painted the locals of Viljandi as the quiet positive citizens full of joy. The temporary exhibitions of other artists are located in 5 galleries on the ground floor and one on the second one. The center has several exhibitions at the same time.

After the opening of the center, “the strawberry fever” captured the city. Since 2006, in different spots were installed eight strawberries. All the stalks of the berries lead to the art center of Kondase. They are even marked on the tourist map of the city, which is located at the local bus station. And the berry bushes planted on the city flowerbeds perfectly suit the strawberry-vanilla atmosphere. If you visit Viljandi, organize a quest for you - try to “collect” all the strawberries!