Paide (German: Weißenstein) is one of the oldest towns in Estonia and the capital of Järva County. Weißenstein (originally Wittenstein or Wittensten) means "white stone". This name was derived from the limestone used for the construction of Paide Castle.

A castle was built in Paide sometime in 1265 or 1266. Paide followed the Riga city rights, which  was given in 1291, September 30. In 2016 Paide celebrated its 725th anniversary.

Notable residents

• Ita Ever, stage and film actress
• Johannes Hesse, father of author Hermann Hesse
• Tullio Ilomets, chemist
• Carmen Kass, model
• Kalle Kiik, chess International Master
• Arvo Pärt, classical music composer
• Toomas Raudam, writer
• Tigran Gevorkjan, comedian, musician

Twin towns — Sister cities

•  Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany
•  Fredensborg-Humlebæk, Denmark
•  Håbo, Sweden
•  Hamina, Finland
•  Havirov, Czech Republic
•  Mažeikiai, Lithuania
•  Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine
•  Saldus, Latvia
•  Westminster, Maryland, United States

In autumn 2017 Paide merged with 2 municipalities (Paide vald and Roosna-Alliku vald)

Area: 442 km²
Inhabitants: 10 898 (01.01.2018)
Budget: approximately 16 000 000 EUR