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    Tourist Attractions in Tallinn

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Tallinn. Photos and a brief description.

    Tallinn
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    About Tallinn

    For eight centuries of its existence, Tallinn has not been in anyone’s hands. Knightly orders, Sweden and the Russian Empire fought for the fortress and the port on the Baltic Sea at different times. As a result, the modern capital of Estonia has turned into a mixture of different cultures, architectural styles and traditions.

    Old Tallinn is a classic example of medieval cities in Northern Europe. In the center there is a fortified fortress with thick walls, where the parliament sits, stone streets built up with houses with pointed roofs diverge from the main square, and the bell towers of ancient churches rise above the blocks.

    The capital of Estonia is the main cultural center of the country. Here are the main museums, theaters, concert venues. Festivals and festive processions are organized on city streets throughout the year.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Tallinn

    Old Town

    Imbued with the spirit of the Middle Ages, an urban area where the main historical attractions are concentrated. It is an interweaving of stone streets and squares, ancient temples, town halls and houses of merchant guilds. Since 1997, the quarter has been included in the UNESCO List of Historical Heritage. The Old Town consists of a Lower and Upper part. In the past centuries, mostly aristocrats settled in the Upper Town (Vyshgorod).

    Old Town
    Town Hall Square and Tallinn Town Hall

    Town Hall Square and Tallinn Town Hall

    The square with the tower is the very center of the Old City. Once public executions took place on the Town Hall Square, and caught thieves were tied to the pillory. Tallinn Town Hall is an architectural monument of the XIV century, built in the Gothic style of Northern Europe. The building hosts various state receptions and other events, on other days it is open to the public for a small fee.

    Town Hall Pharmacy

    The oldest European pharmacy, which opened its doors in the first half of the XV century. At the end of the XVI century, the building was leased to Johann Bernhard, who initiated a dynasty of pharmacists who managed the pharmacy for more than 300 years. The pharmacy continues to sell medicines, a museum has been opened in one of the premises, where you can look at ancient medical instruments. Sweets and souvenirs are also sold on site.

    Town Hall Pharmacy
    Freedom Square

    Freedom Square

    One of the city squares that appeared in the XIX century on the site of the destroyed Swedish bastion. At the beginning of the XX century, the territory was paved with stone and the market tents were removed from here. The main attraction of the square is a modern monument in 2009 in honor of the victory of the Estonian troops in the Liberation War of 1918-1920. Official events, concerts and sports competitions are often held here.

    Tallinn City Wall

    A very well-preserved fence that defended the city in the Middle Ages. Sections of the wall with a total length of 2 km have reached our days . and several towers of the XIV century. During the heyday of Tallinn, the height of individual sections of the structure reached 14-16 meters, and the thickness reached up to 3 meters. The wall was considered one of the most powerful and reliable in Northern Europe. In the past centuries, some towers served as a prison.

    Tallinn City Wall
    Maiden Tower

    Maiden Tower

    One of the towers of the fortress wall, which according to the first version served as a prison for women of easy virtue, unfaithful wives and disobedient brides, and according to the second version was a haven for white–collar women. The tower was built in the XIII century together with the city wall, it was destroyed several times during the siege of the city. After the reconstruction in 2013, a museum and a cafe with a picturesque view of the Old Town opened in the premises.

    Tolstaya Margarita Tower

    The most impressive tower of the city wall is 20 meters high and 25 meters in diameter. The thickness of the walls reaches 5.2 meters. The structure was built in the XVI century, the nickname "Fat Margarita" stuck to it a couple of centuries later. The impressive structure defended the Tallinn treasury and the entrance to the harbor. There is a Maritime Museum in the tower, where you can learn about the history of navigation and fishing in Estonia.

    Tolstaya Margarita Tower
    Kick-in-de-Keck

    Kick-in-de-Keck

    Another protective city tower, which was erected in the XV century. Its name translates from the Saxon language as "look into the kitchen". The tower received such a name for the reason that from its top the city guards who were on duty could watch the housewives in the kitchens in city houses. Nowadays, there is a museum in the tower, where weapons collections are presented. Also, a tour of the Tallinn dungeons begins from here.text

    Viru Gate

    The medieval gate, from which the Viru Street leading to the Town Hall Square (one of the main tourist alleys of the city) begins. The gate is located in the eastern part of the city wall. Several centuries ago, they served as one of the main entrances to the city. The design has come down to us in almost unchanged form. The structure seems to separate modern Tallinn from the Old City, so for local residents it is a symbol.

    Viru Gate
    Katarina Lane

    Katarina Lane

    A small street in the Old Town with buildings of the XV -XVII centuries. The place is also known as the Courtyard of the Masters, as there are numerous workshops for the production of souvenirs made of leather, ceramics, glass. In Katarina Lane, a tourist can buy a unique souvenir of Tallinn. In the summer, street cafes serve dishes according to old recipes, and a real atmosphere of bygone eras reigns around.

    Dome Cathedral

    The main Estonian Lutheran church, the construction of which began in the XIII century. The Estonian name of the church is Toomkirik, officially it is called St. Mary's Cathedral. Many representatives of notable German families are buried here. One of the famous tombs of the cathedral is the grave of the navigator Ivan Kruzenshtern. Free organ music concerts are regularly held in the Dome Cathedral.

    Dome Cathedral
    Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

    Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

    The main Orthodox church of Tallinn, built in the XIX century at the expense of representatives of the numerous Russian community. Locals still perceive it as a symbol of the "violent Russification" of the population. They wanted to demolish the cathedral in 1928. In 1990, after the fall of the USSR, the church and all the property went to the newly formed Estonian government, now the Orthodox Church rents it for divine services.

    Kaarli Church

    Neo-Gothic Lutheran church of the XIX century. Previously, on the site of the modern church there was a wooden chapel of St. Anthony of the XVII century, which burned down during the Northern War. The decoration of the facade of the building is a German clock of the beginning of the XX century. Now the parish of Kaarli is an active Lutheran church, where worship services are regularly held, as well as concerts of classical instrumental music are held.

    Kaarli Church
    St. Olaf 's Church

    St. Olaf 's Church

    The church of Oleviste is called in another way. The temple of the XVI century with a spire 124 meters in height. For decades, this tower was the tallest in Europe. The spire served as an excellent reference point for ships entering the city harbor. The height of the tower is also its trouble – lightning struck it eight times, the temple burned three times. Inside, the church is decorated with numerous Gothic vaults, creating a complex geometric interweaving.

    The Monastery of St. Brigitte

    The monastery is located in the north-eastern part of Tallinn. At the beginning of the XV century, it was considered the largest in all of Livonia. The building did not last long – during the Livonian War, the monastery was destroyed by the army of Ivan the Terrible and since then it has been in ruins. Only the outer frame and the staircase on the bell tower have been preserved. In 2001, a new building was erected nearby, where the nuns of the Order of St. Brigitte settled.

    The Monastery of St. Brigitte
    Niguliste Church

    Niguliste Church

    In the Middle Ages, Niguliste was one of the main city churches. It is believed that the temple was founded in the XIII century and rebuilt several times over the following centuries. In 1944, as a result of the bombing, Niguliste was severely destroyed, and many of the artistic values that were inside were lost. In 1984, after a 30-year restoration, a museum and a concert hall were opened in the building.

    Church of the Holy Spirit

    One of the churches where the Catechism was first performed in Estonian. The oldest city clock of the XVII century, which is still in operation, is installed on the facade of the church. The temple is closely connected with the development of the national culture of Estonians. Inside there are 57 canvases depicting biblical scenes. The paintings were specially placed here so that illiterate citizens could get acquainted with the Bible.

    Church of the Holy Spirit
    Kumu Art Museum

    Kumu Art Museum

    The modern museum of 2006, built according to the project of the Finnish architect Vapaavuori. The museum complex is a high–quality example of new architecture, a stylish building made of glass and greenish stone. The picturesque Kadriorg Park stretches around the building. Collections of Estonian masters from the XVIII – XXI centuries are exhibited in Kumu . The expositions divided into time periods can be viewed in several thematic halls of the gallery.text

    Museum-hydroaeroport "Lennusadam"

    The Naval Museum, located in the former aircraft hangars. Here is a real military equipment that took part in battles: submarines, ships, planes and even a steam icebreaker. Many exhibits are the only surviving copies of military equipment. The museum also has a cinema hall and a playground for young children.

    Museum-hydroaeroport
    Monument to the battleship

    Monument to the battleship "Rusalka"

    Monument designed by sculptor Adamson, dedicated to the warship that sank in 1893. The ship went down as a result of a sudden 9-ball storm, 177 crew members were killed. After the disaster subsided, search crews found only a few lifeboats. Further searches for the ship lasted 40 years. The monument was built on donations.

    Kadriorg Palace and Park Ensemble

    An artificially created park with a palace in a magnificent Baroque style. The complex was built by Emperor Peter I for his wife Catherine. The area of the park is about 70 hectares. Here you can walk along numerous alleys, admire fountains, gardens, flower beds, as well as sculptures created by Estonian craftsmen. Kadriorg's landscapes resemble Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo. There is a house-museum of Peter the Great in the park.

    Kadriorg Palace and Park Ensemble
    Glen's Castle

    Glen's Castle

    An ensemble with a park of the late XIX century, located in the city district of Nimme. The castle was built according to the project of Baron von Glen in the medieval architectural style on the slopes of Mustamyagi hill. The labor of Tallinn prisoners was actively used at the construction site. In addition to the castle, there were churches, a town hall, a mud clinic and a post office in the project. Apparently, the baron planned to lay an entire city on this place.

    Maaryamyagi Castle

    The former summer residence of the Orlov-Davydov family in the suburbs of Tallinn (the old name of the city is Revel). Under them, the estate was named Marienberg in honor of Count Maria's wife. After the victory of the Revolution in 1917, the aristocratic family emigrated to Europe, and after a while the castle began to be used as the residence of the Dutch consul. Since 1975, a branch of the Historical Museum of Estonia has been located here.

    Maaryamyagi Castle
    Toompea Castle

    Toompea Castle

    The ancient fortress rises in the heart of Tallinn on the hill of the same name. The structure has more than seven centuries of history. The Estonian Parliament sits on the territory of the complex. The stronghold was founded by the Danish King Valdemar II. One of the watchtowers of the castle is the Tower of the Long Herman, reaching a height of almost 100 meters above sea level. The national flag of Estonia is flying at the top of the tower.

    Singing field

    An important cultural attraction of the capital of Estonia. There is a stage in the shape of a shell, as well as a sculpture by Gustav Ernesaks (the famous composer, inspirer and founder of national Singing festivals in the XIX century, which are held every five years). The field also hosts major music events, rock festivals, famous pop stars perform.

    Singing field
    Tallinn Zoo

    Tallinn Zoo

    The zoo appeared in the capital of Estonia in the 40s of the twentieth century. Now it is home to several thousand representatives of the world's fauna. Main expositions: bird park, animals of the Arctic zone, animals of the tropical zone, elephants. On the territory of the zoo there are circles engaged in the study of animals. A petting zoo and an adventure park with various interesting attractions are organized for children.

    Estonian Open-air Museum Rocca al Mare

    It is 10 km away. from the capital near Kopli Bay. The museum was founded in the 80s of the XX century, it is a complex of buildings from various periods of Estonian history: peasant houses, mills, churches, forges, fishermen's huts, forges. Here you can get acquainted with the life and culture of the local population. Visitors are also given the opportunity to stroll through the picturesque park and get some fresh air.

    Estonian Open-air Museum Rocca al Mare
    Tallinn TV Tower

    Tallinn TV Tower

    The tallest building in the country, reaching 314 meters in height. The TV tower is a popular tourist and cultural center. People come here to visit the observation deck at an altitude of 170 meters, dine in a restaurant, watch interactive installations telling about the history of Estonia and just admire the futuristic interiors. The rebuilt TV tower was reopened in 2012.text

    Rothermann Quarter

    This area originated in the XIX century and was used for the construction of industrial enterprises and warehouses. Thanks to the recent large-scale reconstruction with the participation of leading European architects, the quarter has become a fashionable and popular place. Large international companies have placed their offices here, restaurants, stylish hotels and modern art galleries have appeared.

    Rothermann Quarter
    Olde Hansa Restaurant

    Olde Hansa Restaurant

    The establishment is located in the Old Town in the former house of a wealthy merchant. The restaurant attracts visitors with its antique interior. Candles are lit here, antique furniture stands, tables are served with elegant dishes, and live music plays in the evenings. Olde Hansa's menu includes roast bear meat, stewed moose, rose petal pudding, beer with cinnamon and many more dishes created according to old recipes.