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    Things to do in Tartu

    The most interesting things to do in Tartu. Photos and a brief description.

    Tartu
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    Fri
    72 °
    Sat
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    Sun
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    About Tartu

    Tartu is a classic Northern European city with its architectural traditions and interesting history, an important cultural center of Estonia. Since the XVII century, there has been one of the oldest universities in the region, which in the XX century was considered one of the best higher educational institutions of the USSR, and today continues to maintain high standards of European education.

    Urban architecture is represented by Gothic, classical style and modernism. The monumental ruins of the once grandiose Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the town hall, the medieval Jaanov Church, an extensive complex of university buildings – this is just an incomplete list of attractions that every guest of Tartu should see.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Tartu

    Town Hall Square and Town Hall

    The Town Hall Square is the center of the historical part of Tartu. This place is popular equally with tourists and locals. The architectural appearance of the square has changed several times. In the second half of the XVIII century, it was built up with classical mansions. The Town Hall of Tartu was built in 1786. Not only the city authorities met in the building. On the ground floor there was a prison and a shelter for the poor. Today, in their place there is an information center for tourists.

    Town Hall Square and Town Hall
    Fountain

    Fountain "Kissing students"

    The fountain is located in the center of the Town Hall Square. It was installed in the late 1990s. The sculptural composition depicts a young girl and a young man fused in a passionate kiss. The figures of young people are full of happiness, lightness and expression. It seems they are ready to share their love with everyone. Tartu is a city of students, so the original fountain immediately fell in love with the local youth.

    Ruins of the Dome Cathedral

    The Tartu Dome Cathedral was built on the ruins of a pagan fortress in the XIII century. In the XVI century it was destroyed during the Livonian War. Plans for reconstruction were not destined to come to fruition, as a series of endless wars took too many resources from the country. In the XIX century, the library of the University of Dorpat was built on the ruins, and the surviving tower of the cathedral was turned into a water tower.

    Ruins of the Dome Cathedral
    AHHAA Science Center

    AHHAA Science Center

    The largest scientific and educational center in the Baltic States, operating since 1997. Since 2011, its head office has been located in Tartu. The complex includes a planetarium, a science theater and exhibition pavilions. Exhibitions and lectures are held on the basis of the center, it actively cooperates with leading educational institutions. The AHHAA building was built in the style of modern architecture with the use of innovative construction technologies.

    University of Tartu

    The university was founded in the XVII century by the Swedish monarch Gustav II Adolf. After the lands of Estonia (Estonia) came under the rule of the Russian Empire in the XVIII century, the educational institution ceased to exist. In 1802, the University of Dorpat was opened on its basis, which became the prototype of the modern University of Tartu. Many famous scientists have been educated here at various times.

    University of Tartu
    Tartu Observatory

    Tartu Observatory

    The observatory was built within the territory of Toomemyagi Park in 1808 on the site of the former bishop's castle. Architect J. V. Krause worked on the project. The image of the observatories located in Uppsala and Göttingen was taken as a basis. The building was reconstructed in 1825. Many important scientific discoveries have been made here. In 1818-1839– the scientist Friedrich Struve worked at the observatory. Today the building is open not only for scientific research, but also for excursions.

    Old Anatomicum

    The Anatomicum in Tartu is a place where doctors and scientists in the field of medicine and pharmacology worked. The building was erected at the beginning of the XIX century according to the project of J. V. Krause. It is a mansion in a laconic classical style, decorated with columns and balconies. In 1901-1918, N. N. Burdenko, a famous Russian (later Soviet) surgeon and the founder of Soviet neurosurgery, worked at the anatomicum.

    Old Anatomicum
    Vanemuine Theater

    Vanemuine Theater

    The theater stage was founded in 1865 on the initiative of the Estonian poet and leader of the national movement J. V. Jansen. Vanemuine is famous for the fact that performances in Estonian were staged here for the first time. The historic building burned down in 1944. Until 1967, until a new building called the "big house" was built, the troupe was located in the former German Theater. Today, the latter is a branch of Vanemuine and is called "little house".

    Falling House

    The building was built at the end of the XVIII century for the Barclay de Tolly family. Due to the miscalculations made during the design, the house eventually began to tilt to the surface, but thanks to the reconstruction, this "fall" was stopped. Since 1940, a branch of the Tartu Art Museum has been located here. Temporary exhibitions and educational lectures are held in the house. There is also a bookstore with art literature.

    Falling House
    Estonian National Museum

    Estonian National Museum

    The new museum building was opened in 2016. The solemn event was attended by delegations from neighboring Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as the Minister of Culture of Estonia. The building is located in the Raadi district. It is made in the traditions of modern architecture using actual forms and materials. In addition to exhibition spaces, there is a cinema hall, a theater and a spacious conference hall.

    Tartu Toy Museum

    The exposition was founded in 1994 on the initiative of the city authorities. The museum is located in the building of the former craft school of Dorpat county. Thanks to careful restoration in 2002-2003, the room regained its historical appearance. The collection consists of several thousand exhibits. Mainly there are toys in the Estonian style and crafts of Finno-Ugric tribes. Exhibits from other countries are also on display.

    Tartu Toy Museum

    KGB Camera Museum

    Almost all former ATS member countries, as well as the republics of the USSR, have museums dedicated to the Soviet period. As a rule, this time is exposed in a negative light and is even referred to as the "Soviet occupation". There is also a similar exhibition in Tartu. In the Museum of KGB Cameras, visitors will see documents, photographs, posters, letters and other evidence of the activities of the "regime", and will also be able to learn about the history of the national liberation movement "Forest Brothers".

    Tartu Beer Museum A Le Coq

    It is believed that the traditions of Estonian brewing originated in Tartu. The local A Le Coq factory was founded in 1803. Today it is one of the largest producers of foam drink in the country. Since 2003, a museum has been operating at the enterprise. It is a rather impressive exposition, located on six floors. The collection consists of antique equipment, tableware and awards won by the plant at prestigious competitions. After the tour, visitors taste beer.

    Tartu Beer Museum A Le Coq
    The center of the Ice Age

    The center of the Ice Age

    The Museum of Natural History, located near Tartu. It opened in 2012. The place was not chosen by chance, since it is in the vicinity of the village of Exi that traces of the ice Age are still preserved. The museum exposition tells about the development of the flora and fauna of our planet. Here the visitor will be able to see models of long-extinct animals, play educational games and watch interesting films.text

    Estonian Aviation Museum

    The grandiose exhibition of aircraft is located a few kilometers from the city. It consists of almost 400 models of airplanes and helicopters, most of which were produced in EU countries. There are also a couple of Soviet models. The Estonian Flying Days show is regularly held on the territory of the complex, where you can watch parachutists jumping, paragliding flights and drone maneuvers.

    Estonian Aviation Museum
    The Courtyard of St. Anthony

    The Courtyard of St. Anthony

    Craft farmstead, which consists of workshops, residential buildings and the administrative building of the guild. This association was first mentioned in the XV century. The aim of the members of the organization is to preserve and develop traditional Estonian crafts. Local craftsmen make pottery, sew costumes, toys, and also make products from leather, glass, porcelain and other materials. Thematic events are often held in the courtyard.

    Yaanov Church

    The stone temple was built in the XIV century. According to some sources, the wooden church and the parish existed from the XII-XIII centuries. During the Northern War, the building was badly damaged. During the Second World War, as a result of bombing, the church burned down. The temple was restored from 1989 to 2005. The historical building was distinguished by its rich decoration, which, unfortunately, has not reached our days.

    Yaanov Church
    St. Peter's Church of Tartu

    St. Peter's Church of Tartu

    The temple was built at the beginning of the XX century in a pseudo-Gothic (neo-Gothic) style. It is a majestic red brick building with a high spire. The vast hall is designed for 3 thousand people. The interior is decorated with an organ of the XIX century. The attraction is located away from the main tourist routes, but thanks to the high tower it is quite easy to see from the city center.

    Assumption Cathedral

    The Orthodox Cathedral of Tartu, which was built on the site of the former Dominican monastery. The first church was built here in 1754 according to the project of P. Shpekle, but 20 years later it burned down. The temple of the middle of the XIX century has reached our days, which was designed according to the classical Byzantine tradition. The Assumption Cathedral was the center of Orthodoxy in Tartu. It was visited by many famous parishioners, including poets V.A. Zhukovsky and I. V. Lotarev, known as Igor Severyanin.

    Assumption Cathedral
    Sculpture

    Sculpture "Father and Son"

    The sculpture was created by master Yulo Yoon in 1977. Since at that time such creations (nudity) were not welcome, the statue decorated the city only in 2004. The composition depicts the sculptor himself holding the hand of a one-and-a-half-year-old child. Both figures have the same size, which symbolizes the equality of rights of adults and children. The statue is located on the sidewalk along Kuini Street.

    Sculpture "Bronze pig"

    The original city monument in the form of a cheerful piggy. It is installed next to the city market and is actually a visual illustration of how to carve a pig carcass. All parts of the pig's torso are numbered and inscribed. Because of this meaning, the sculpture makes an ambiguous impression. On the one hand – a carefree animal, on the other – just food.

    Sculpture
    Angel Bridge

    Angel Bridge "Inglisild"

    The bridge is located on Toomemyagi Hill on the territory of the park of the same name. Popular tourist routes pass through this place. The structure was erected at the end of the XIX century according to the project of J. V. Krause. This architect is the author of many historical monuments of Tartu. The main decoration of the bridge is the bas-relief of the University of Tartu, on which it is written in Latin "Rest restores strength".

    Devil's Bridge "Kuradisild"

    At the beginning of the XIX century, a wooden structure was located on the site of the modern bridge. In 1913, it was replaced by a concrete structure designed by A. Eichhorn. The bridge was built in honor of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov. It is dedicated to Emperor Alexander I. The origin of the name "Devil's Bridge" is not known for certain. Perhaps it was given as a contrast to the angel bridge "Inglisild".

    Devil's Bridge
    Botanical Garden of the University of Tartu

    Botanical Garden of the University of Tartu

    The Botanical Garden was founded more than 200 years ago for research purposes. Today it has become one of the favorite vacation spots of the townspeople. In total, several thousand plants grow in the garden. Some exotic species are able to exist only in the conditions of the artificial climate of greenhouses. Local palm trees are the oldest in all of Northern Europe, so they are treated very carefully.text

    Alatskivi Castle

    The structure was erected in the XVI century on the shore of the lake of the same name. It was originally built in the Gothic style, but as a result of numerous reconstructions it acquired the features of the Baroque. The last major renovation was carried out in 2005-2011. Several rooms on the ground floor are occupied by a museum dedicated to the composer E. Turbin. The rest of the territory is given over to conference halls, a restaurant and a hotel.

    Alatskivi Castle