Toila

Toila
Small borough
View from the location of the former Oru Palace.
Toila Location in Estonia
Coordinates: 59°25′14″N 27°30′35″E / 59.42056°N 27.50972°E / 59.42056; 27.50972Coordinates: 59°25′14″N 27°30′35″E / 59.42056°N 27.50972°E / 59.42056; 27.50972
Country	Estonia
County	Ida-Viru County
Municipality	Toila Parish
Population (2011 Census)
• Total	780

Toila is a small borough (alevik) in Ida-Viru County, in northeastern Estonia. It's located about 10 km (6 mi) northeast from the town of Jõhvi, on the coast of the Narva Bay (part of Gulf of Finland). Toila is known as an important sea resort in Estonia, with a spa hotel, beach and a beautiful park (Oru Park). Toila is the administrative centre of Toila Parish. As of 2011 Census, the settlement's population was 780, of which the Estonians were 628 (80.5%).

The existence of an ancient settlement in Toila is suggested by a sacred grove (hiis) on a high coastal cliff, offering springs of Pühajõgi River, and an offering stone in the current park. The oldest found tarand grave in Virumaa is located beside the current Toila cemetery. The burials there took place in two periods: 2nd–4th and 7th–8th centuries AD.

The first written record about the Toila area Danish Census Book, mentions the neighbouring Pühajõe as a village with a size of 6 hides. In 1426 neighbouring Kärilõpe village (now Altküla) was mentioned. In 1547 the site of nowadays Toila was mentioned as Männiku, where a knight manor was situated.

During the Great Northern War, Russian cavlary general Boris Sheremetev built reduits around Pühajõgi, to hinder Charles XII in approaching the Battle of Narva.