Abja-Paluoja

• Official Name — Abja-Paluoja • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Estonia • Subdivision Type1 — County • Subdivision Name1 — Viljandi County • Subdivision Type2 — Municipality • Subdivision Name2 — Mulgi Parish • Established Title — Town status • Established Date — 1993 • Population As Of — 2024 • Population Total — 1056 • Population Rank — 44th • Time Zone — EET • Utc Offset — +2

First documented records of the Abja manor and village date from 1457 (Abbalis et Meitzekull). From 1897 to 1973, the railway line passed through Abja-Paluoja, and there was a railway station in the town. In 1913, a flax factory was established near Abja-Paluoja because flax cultivation had developed in the area. The Abja Gymnasium (secondary school) was opened in 1940. Abja-Paluoja was the centre of Abja raion from 1950 to 1962. Abja-Paluoja gained town rights and became a separate urban municipality in 1993. In 1998, it was merged into surrounding rural municipality (Abja Parish) and was its administrative centre until 2017.

• Karl August Hindrey (1875–1947), writer, journalist, and cartoonist • Aino Jõgi (1922–2013), linguist and translator • Tarmo Pihlap (1952–1999), singer and guitarist • Peep Aru (born 1953), politician, Mayor of Viljandi, 1999 to 2003 and again 2005 to 2007. • Mati Laur (born 1955), professor of general history at the University of Tartu • Peeter Rahnel (born 1957), politician, Mayor of Abja-Paluoja, 1994 to 1996 • Riho Västrik (born 1965), filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, journalist, and historian • Kaimo Kuusk (born 1975), diplomat and foreign intelligence officer

• Illustration — Park in central Abja-Paluoja • Illustration — Abja Museum in the historic bank and post office building • Illustration — Former railway station (now the building is used by a Pentecostal congregation) • Illustration — Fire depot • Illustration — Bus station • Illustration — Sports and Health Centre