Tallinn
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Tallinn is the beautiful capital of Estonia and offers something for every taste. It is situated on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Approximately 30% of Estonia’s total population lives in Tallinn and it has 430,000 residents.
What to see
Old town
Built between 13th and 16th centuries, old town of Tallinn is the majestic heart of the city. Narrow cobblestone streets and medieval markets welcome the traveler to feel its charm.
Old town has been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Here are attractions such as Kohtuotsa viewing platform, Viru gate, Toompea hill and Raekoja plats square.
Toompea
Lime hill of Toompea is the highest part of Tallinn and inseparably modifies its skyline.
It is also the powercentre of Estonia, because the mostly rebuilt Toompea Castle houses riigikogu, the Estonian Parliament in the Expressionistic Stenbock House built in 1922. Castle area also consists Czar era governor’s palace, walls of the medieval fortress and Pikk Hermann tower, which is the national symbol of Estonia within whole Toompea.
Sights of the hill is also included the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Lutheran cathedral Toomkirik, the Estonian Knighthood House and the palace of Ungern-Sternberg, which houses the Estonian Academy of Sciences.
The complex of Toompea is a historical must-see of Tallinn.
Katariina käik
Katariina Käik (St. Catharine’s Passage) is a walkway in the Old Town, which connects Vene street with the Müürivahe street.
Nearby that passage is the St. Catherine’s Guild, cluster of workshops where artisans craft in traditional ways glass, ceramics, and jewellery among the other things, and sell their products. The workshops are located in comfy 15th- to 17th-century rooms on the south side of the lane, and are set up in an open-studio fashion so visitors can monitor various craftsmen at their work.
Kadriorg Palace
This Petrine Baroque palace were built between 1718-1725 by command of the Russian Czar Peter the Great. It is situated in eponymous subdistrict of Kesklinn. Currently it houses the art museum displaying foreign art from the 16th to 20th centuries.
Vast park surrounding the palace is open to public and great place for promenading or piquenique. Here is a lovely swan pond, fountains and the Mikkli Museum, which displays an impressive collection of imported art.
How to get in Tallinn
Tallinn has an international airport. Its airlines and destinations are visible here
Several ferry operators, such as Viking Line, Tallink and Eckerö Line, connects Tallinn to Helsinki, Mariehamn, Stockholm and St. Petersburg.
Fastest ferry line, Tallink route Helsinki – Tallinn, takes time appr. 2-3.5 hours.
Top 5 in Tallinn
- Toompea
- Pirita promenade
- Kadriorg
- Tallinn Official Sightseeing Tour by bicycles
- Roheline market
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: Visit Estonia / Jaanus Ree, Mari Kadanik, Jaak Nilson, Toomas Tuul[/fusion_text]
