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Sõrve (Estonian:Sõrve or Sörve) is apeninsula which forms the southernmost section of theEstonian islandSaaremaa in theBaltic Sea. Its length is 32 km, and its maximum width 10 km. South of it lies theIrbe Strait, the main entrance to theGulf of Riga.

The Sõrve Peninsula was attested in historical documents asSvorve in 1234,Zworbe in 1240,tho Zorvell in 1453,up Schworv in 1545,Serwe ma in 1782, andSerwe Maa in 1798. The nameSõrve is believed to be related to the wordserv (genitive:serva) and its variantsõrv (genitive:sõrva,sõrve) 'edge, border, margin'. The peninsula is also locally known asSörve, reflecting the lack of the phoneme /õ/ in the Saaremaa dialect.^[1]

Historically, the peninsula had considerable military significance, dominating the Irbe Strait and the sea route toRiga. In the beginning of the 20th century a number ofcoastal artillery batteries were installed on the peninsula.

During World War I, Sõrve was conquered by theImperial German Army in October 1917 (Operation Albion) and remained occupied by Germans until the end of hostilities in November 1918. Thereafter Sõrve, along with the entire island of Saaremaa, became part of the newly independentRepublic of Estonia. DuringWorld War II, the peninsula was first occupied by theSovietRed Army in June 1940 and, along with the rest of Estonian territory, formally annexed into theStalinistUSSR in August 1940. The peninsula was invaded and occupied byNazi Germany in the 1941Operation Beowulf. The peninsula saw heavy fighting between the invading Soviet and defending German forces in October and November 1944 (Moonsund Landing Operation). In 1946, the Soviet military authorities declared Sõrve a restricted "border zone" access to which was prohibited to any civilians, except the small remaining local population. Sõrve remained a restricted area until 1989. Estonia restored full independence in August 1991.

The Sõrve Peninsula is known for its unique and special natural attractions. Many rare species of birds, flowers and insects can be found throughout Sõrve.

Only about 400 permanent residents live in Sõrve throughout the year, whereas before World War II the population was larger by almost an order of magnitude and at times Sõrve had then been the most densely inhabited rural area in Estonia. In the 21st century, the peninsula has become a major tourist destination.

The currentlighthouse onSõrve säär ("tip of Sõrve", known for itsshingle beach), a cylindrical concrete tower, was built in 1960 to replace a square stone lighthouse built in 1770, and subsequently destroyed during World War II in 1944. In 1945, a temporary wooden lighthouse was built to serve during the period between two permanent lighthouses.

• Barrett, Michael B (2007).Operation Albion: the German conquest of the Baltic Islands. Indiana University Press.ISBN 978-0-253-34969-9.
• Halpern, Paul (1994).A Naval History of World War I. UCL Press.ISBN 1-85728-295-7.
• Staff, Gary (2009).Battle for the Baltic Islands. Pen and Sword.ISBN 978-1-85728-295-5.

58°10′43″N22°15′29″E / 58.17861°N 22.25806°E /58.17861; 22.25806

• Peninsulas of the Baltic Sea
• Saaremaa
• Peninsulas of Estonia
• Landforms of Saare County

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