The Meriküla Pine is one of the most recognisable and symbolic natural landmarks in the surroundings of Narva-Jõesuu. It grows in the sacred Hiie forest at the foot of the North Estonian limestone escarpment and is known for its wide and distinctive crown.

The pine has been under nature protection since 1938. For centuries, it was regarded as a tree of special significance, visited during important life events and rituals. Nails were driven into the trunk, ribbons were tied to branches, and offerings were left in the belief that the tree could bring protection and good fortune. Such practices were common in sacred groves across Estonia.

According to some sources, the tree is associated with the painter Ivan Shishkin, who worked and spent time in the Narva coastal area and around Meriküla. The powerful, picturesque form of the pine is believed to have inspired the informal name “Shishkin Pine”, although there is no direct documentary evidence linking a specific artwork to this exact tree.

Today, the Meriküla Pine remains an important site of natural and cultural heritage. The tree is approximately 12–15 metres tall, with a trunk circumference of about 3.5 metres, standing as a living reminder of the region’s traditions and respect for nature.