According to an old legend, Värska water has miraculous powers. A bereaved widow named Maarja was weeping by the holy springs. The tears of pure love instilled power in the water rising to the surface from the depths of the earth. The thirsty can draw health, strength and long life from Värska water. There’s always a grain of truth in folklore. Värska mineral waters contain beneficial elements that have a favourable effect on the entire body. The area around Värska are more long-lived people than anywhere else in Estonia.