sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ahtra, Kadriorg Palace, KUMU (museum), Raeapteek, Tallinn Town Hall, Toompea Castle

Just2 / 2 at the southern edge of lies Lake Ülemiste. According to a legend, on the darkest autumnal night each year a mysterious old man climbs out of the Ülemiste depths, knocks on the city gates and asks whether the construction of Tallinn has been completed. The little man has sworn that, should it one day be finished, he will release the lake’s waters and drown out the whole city. The knowing guards therefore always answer, “No, good sir! There’s still a great deal of construction taking place. Please be so good as to come again after a little while.”

That’s why Tallinn will never be completed. Though already eight centuries old, it’s still a work in progress, forever growing and reinventing itself while never forgetting its unique heritage. On Town Hall Square you can find a humble apothecary that’s been operating for nearly 600 years. Just a few steps away, there’s an old- fashioned café where specialists make marzipan figurines by hand – edible symbols of Tallinn’s fairytale charm. Nearby, in other cafés and lounge bars, the city’s residents are tapping away at their laptops and surfing the Internet in their iPhones.

Historic. Romantic. Friendly. Relaxing. Modern. Daring. This is Tallinn. Toomas Tuul Toomas TALLINN • 2 / 3 Closer than you think

Tallinn is the capital of , a small, forward- thinking, Nordic country.

Tallinn sits on the southern The city shares a nearly During Estonia’s White This is a green city, proudly shore of the , identical geographical Nights in June the sky here boasting 40km2 of parks just 83 km south of Helsinki. latitude with Stockholm. stays bright from 4 am until and forests with a 2km A ferry trip between the around 11 pm. stretch of sandy beach cities takes just 2 hours bordering its bay. or less.

83 km from Helsinki there are citizensinthecity. town 400,000 passengers destination Tallinn isa each year popular cruise bringingclose to –asmany as tothe

around is extremely compact layout Thanks toitssmallsizeand . easy toget , Tallinn from theairport 15 min 15 minutes. hotel cantakeaslittle as toadowntown the airport on traffic, a taxi ride from the citycentre isonly 5kmfrom Airport Meri International Lennart . Depending

Toomas Volmer Kaido Haagen TALLINN • 4 / 5 A singing nation

With Finno-Ugric roots that run thousands of years deep, Estonians pride themselves on being a society rich in music and creativity. This creative energy forms the local concerts, art exhibitions, festivals, plays and other events.

The Estonian national identity , a quiet area of Built in 1913, the grand Estonia Like that of its Nordic neigh- is entwined in folk song. Every gardens, ponds and Theatre is Tallinn’s prime bors, Estonian design has five years, as part of fountains, is the city’s cultural venue for opera, ballet and long been known both for a tradition that goes back nexus. This is the site of the symphonic performances. its simplicity and its fresh, to 1869, Tallinn hosts the Tsarist-era , Most famously, it’s home to off-beat style. On the Estonian Song and where the nation’s collection the Estonian National Opera, traditional end of the Dance Celebration, which of foreign art is on display, Estonian National Ballet and spectrum are the beautiful involves as many as 37,000 as well as the vast, new Estonian National Symphony handicrafts that are prized performers and more than Kumu Art Museum, where Orchestra, which is run by by visitors from far and wide. 200,000 spectators. the best of Estonian works, Neeme Järvi. During his long At the same time, modern from the historic to the and successful career, Järvi Estonian designs, as well as modern and funky, can be has conducted several of the architectural trends, have seen. In warmer months world’s prominent orchestras created an enviable splash Kadriorg is the setting for and has become one of classical in Europe’s art scene and a variety of outdoor concerts. music’s most recorded garnered considerable praise conductors. He is known for from critics. playing the works of another Estonian classical music figure, composer Arvo Pärt. One of the absolute giants of classi- cal music, Pärt gave the world a compositional style called Tintinnabuli, which, like many Estonian creations, is both minimalist and mystical. Mari Kadanik

Tallinn’s regular events and festivals:

Just before the In summer Tallinn hosts season starts Tallinn hosts the Old Town Days festival the Black Nights Film and Medieval Days, both Festival, the largest film of which celebrate the city’s event in the Baltic states. centuries-old heritage.

For several weeks each winter Tallinn Maritime Days,

Ain Avik Tallinn’s Town Hall Square held each summer, is a huge, is filled with an elaborate sea-faring festival involving Christmas Market where all sorts of water-related visitors can buy gifts, listen to attractions. concerts or drink hot, spiced wine. Every August the city welcomes the Birgitta Spring in Tallinn starts off Festival, several days of with the sound of jazz, outdoor concerts set namely the Jazzkaar Inter- amid the stunning ruins national Jazz Festival. of St. Bridget’s Convent. Sigrid Viir TALLINN • 6 / 7

The heart of Tallinn is its Medieval Old Town, a fairytale neighborhood of gabled , Gothic spires and cobblestone streets that dates in the 13th – 16th centuries, the days when this was a thriving, Hanseatic trade centre.

At the beginning of the Underneath Tallinn At the centre of Old Town The One of Old Town’s 16th century, Tallinn there are hundreds of stands the impressive, weather vane that prime attractions is St. had the largest and metres of underground early-15th-century Town stands atop the Town Olav’s Church. With its sturdiest defense passage ways, mostly Hall, the best preserved Hall Tower is a much- 159-metre spire, it was system in Northern built in the 1600s during Medieval town hall in loved symbol of the once the tallest building Europe. The wall that the time of Swedish . city. The original dates in the world. surrounded the city was rule. During World War to 1530. up to 15.9 m high, 3 m II, Tallinn residents used thick, and 3 km long, the 17th-century tunnels and was dotted by under Old Town as 46 towers. Today, 2 km shelters. Nowadays a full of the original wall and 380 m of the tunnels are 26 of the towers are open to the public as a still intact. tourist attraction. in Europe public Christmas trees became oneof Hall Square in1441. This a spruceon Town Heads guild installed Brotherhood ofBlack merchants from the Records showthat . the first

1422. It hasbeenopensince operating oldest continuously Hall Square is The Raeapteekon Town Europe’s

.

Cathedral The AlexanderNevsky territory. increasingly unrulyBaltic political –over this – bothreligious and the empire’s dominance intended asasymbolof cathedral wasoriginally ofthetsarist was part in 1900, whenEstonia place ofworship. Built Russian Orthodox Hill isEstonia’s main atop , the timekeeper the oldest public painted clock that’s you’ll find anelaborately of theHolyGhost, Church 14th-century On thefaçade ofthe in Tallinn.

In 1997 importance of preserving it. ofpreserving importance value andnotingthe acknowledging itsunique World Heritage List the Old Town intothe UNESCO added ,

Allan Alajaan Pre-Christian Times Danish Conquest and Beyond

6000 b.c. – 1219 a.d. 1219–1342

hough traces of human settlement in ccording to legend, ’s na - the Tallinn area date back about 5,000 tional flag originated right here in years, not much is known about life Tallinn. During a battle to conquer here before the in the ear- Estonia in 1219, it “floated down from the ly 13th century. The first mention of Tallinn heavens” spurring the Danes on to victory. in historic records comes in 1154, when Arab Whether it was really divine encouragement cartographer al-Idrisi marked it on his world or, as some claim, the arrival of Slavic mer - map. Sometime around the start of the second cenaries that decided the day’s outcome, that millennium locals had begun using the spot as battle with the Danes marked the beginning a market and fishing port, and built a wooden of seven centuries of foreign rule in Estonia. fortress on Toompea Hill. Though various crowns reigned here, the city was settled by ethnic Germans and was known throughout most of its history by its German name, Reval. Mari Kadanik

Toompea Castle A wooden fortress built on Toompea Hill sometime in the

Annika Palvari 10th or 11th century was prob-

ably the first structure in what Treial Andres Great Guild Hall later became Tallinn. Foreign An excellent place to learn more invaders replaced it with a stone Danish King’s Garden about prehistoric Tallinn is the building in 1227–29, and over the One of Tallinn’s most popular Anu Vahtra Great Guild Hall, an impressive, centuries it developed into to- tourist spots is this slope of Medieval structure that now day’s . Since its Toompea hill where, legend in- Dominican Monastery serves as the Estonian History early days, the castle has served sists, the Danish flag came into Still seeming to echo with the Museum. Films and interactive as the local seat of power for any being in 1219. It’s now a relaxing, chants of Medieval monks, displays show how people here empire ruling Estonia. Fittingly, courtyard garden complete with the city’s oldest existing building lived, fought and survived over the building is now home to the terraced steps and picturesque is the Dominican Monastery, the last 11,000 years. nation’s Parliament. views of Old Town rooftops. which dates to 1246. Medieval Heyday Swedish Period

1361–1494 1561–1710

allinn’s Medieval heyday lasted from weden ruled Estonia from the late 1500s the 13th to 16th centuries when the to 1710, during which it put a lot of work city flourished as a key Hanseatic trade into improving Tallinn’s defenses. In ad- centre. Merchants here grew wealthy thanks dition to strengthening the city wall and its to a brisk trade in grain, linen, textiles, her- towers, builders installed secret tunnels around ring, wine, Oriental spices, Russian fur and the bastions for moving soldiers and gun - wax, and, most importantly, salt. The grand powder, and for spying on would-be invaders. houses, towering churches and overall look of Old Town as we know it today took their shape during this period.

Hanseatic League In 1284 Tallinn became a member of the , a network of cities that domi- nated northern Europe’s trade in Medieval times. Under the Hanseatic system of law, the town was governed by wealthy Burgomeisters, while business spheres were ruled by power- ful merchant and craft guilds, whose grand halls can still be seen in Old Town today. Allan Alajaan Allan

Town Hall Square Jaak Kadak Picturesque Town Hall Square Volmer Toomas has been the undisputed hub of of the Old Town since Medieval times. Fortification Historically it served as a market Brotherhood of A large part of what gives Old

Stanislav Stepashko Stanislav and meeting place, and was the Black Heads Town its character is the system site of at least one execution (re- The ornate façade of this Old of walls and towers that sur- Dance with Death sulting from a dispute over a bad Town guild hall is easily the rounds it. Work on the town’s Tallinn’s most famous artwork omelette). Nowadays it’s home city’s most prized architectural defenses first began in 1265, but is Bernt Notke’s 15th-century to beautiful, gabled houses, side- remnant of the Swedish period. the current outline of the wall painting Danse Macabre (Dance walk cafés and, in December, Its beautiful Renaissance décor dates to the 14th century. By its with Death), a spooky depiction the town’s Christmas tree. Find dates to 1597, and the much- heyday in the 16th century, the of people dancing with skel- the round stone marked with a photographed red, green and wall was 2.4 km long, 14–16 m etons. The unusual, wall-sized compass rose in the middle of gold door dates to 1640. The high, up to 3 m thick, and includ- work is on display in St. Nicholas’ the square. From this spot, with Brotherhood of Black Heads gets ed 46 towers. All these towers Church, and continues to amaze a little stretching and bending, its odd name from the guild’s had names, some descriptive, visitors with its immensity and you can see the tops all five of emblem, the dark profile of its some showing a weird kind of level of detail. Old Town’s spires. patron saint, Mauritius. Medieval humour. Tsarist Period First Independence

1710–1918 1918–1940

allinn was taken over by the Russian stonia’s victorious War of Indepen - empire in 1710. The change of regime dence against Soviet (1918-1920) meant a clampdown on freedoms for left Tallinn a turbulent city marked by ethnic Estonians, but a ‘National Awaken - political intrigue, espionage and economic ing’ in the 1860s eventually led to moves for chaos. By the mid-1930s, however, the Es - independence. tonian Republic had landed on its feet. The now-calm capital underwent a building boom and developed a thriving café and cabaret culture. Tavi Grepp Tavi

Kadriorg Palace Russian Tsar built the city’s famous Kadriorg Palace in 1718, naming it in

honour of his wife, Catherine I. Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo Surrounded by fountains and

Toomas Tuul Toomas manicured gardens, this stun- Tallinn’s own houses ning, Northern Baroque palace is Most visitors to Tallinn are fasci- Tallinn’s Seaplane now home to the international nated by Tallinn’s ’wooden house Harbour and Hangars collection of the Estonian Art districts’ – , Kopli, and At the old Museum. Pelgulinn. These neighbour- in Tallinn’s Kalamaja district hoods of colourful working-class visitors can see enormous, re- houses took their shape during inforced concrete shell hangars Europe’s 19th-century industrial that are a one-of-a-kind find in boom. But unlike their coun- the history of architecture and terparts in other countries, engineering. Built in 1916, they're Tallinn’s wooden house districts said to be decades ahead of their escaped 20th-century redevel- time. Modern builders claim opment and are now among the that, even with the help of a Kruuser Vallo last places in the world where computer, it would be impos- one can find such an intriguing sible to come up with a better hodgepodge of old-fashioned design today. This engineering Barbed wire, attack dogs, ex- Volmer Toomas homes. The most architectur- marvel will re-open after ecution rooms ... it doesn’t get ally unique of these are called renovation in 2012. The harbour much grimmer than this. Origi- Presidential Palace ’Tallinn Houses’. Built in the is also home to a number of mu- nally built as a fortress in 1840, Just up the hill from the more 1920s and 30s, these two- to seum ships including the world's this seaside complex served as famous Kadriorg Palace is Esto- three-storey apartment houses oldest operational steamer-ice- a prison from 1919 until 2004. It nia’s Presidential Palace, built are made of two symmetrical breaker Suur-Tõll, which dates to recently opened as a museum in 1938 to serve as the official wooden wings separated by 1914, and the 1930s-era, British- where visitors can explore the residence and workplace of the a stone central staircase. There built submarine Lembit, a rare mostly untouched remnants of head of state. It still serves that are about 500 of these in the relic of Estonia’s prewar navy. Soviet prison life. function today. city today. Soviet Times Independence Re-Established

1940–1991 1991

orld War II ended with Estonia trapped n September 1988, about 300,000 people behind the Iron Curtain. Five decades – over a quarter of all Estonians – gath - of Soviet occupation resulted in much ered in Tallinn’s Song Festival Grounds of the offbeat architecture that can still be to sing national songs and hear politicians seen around the city. make calls for independence. This was one of the nation’s defining moments: its peaceful ‘Singing Revolution’. After re-establishment of independence in 1991, Tallinn developed into a high-tech, European capital, but never lost sight of its Medieval heritage.

Occupation Museum The best way to get a glimpse of what life was like in Nazi- and Soviet-occupied Estonia is to visit this modern museum near Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square). It not only chronicles the harshness of the regimes, but provides insights into the day-to-day realities of the time. Toomas Tuul Toomas Ave Rand Ave Serge Rompza Serge Harbour In 1980 Tallinn played host to

TV Tower the yachting events of the Freedom Square Koplimets Karel Standing at 314 metres, Tallinn’s Olympics, and several Completely revamped in 2009, TV tower is easily Estonia’s major building projects were this vast square on the edge of Rotermanni Quarter tallest structure. It’s also a prime undertaken here in the lead-up Old Town is a fantastic place to This new shopping and cultural example of Soviet engineering to the event. One of the most get a sense of Tallinn’s history space near the city’s Passenger (completed in 1980), anvd visible remnants of those times in all its richness. From here you Port has been hailed by visiting reflects the somewhat tacky is Pirita Harbour, a must-see can see remnants of several eras experts for its cutting-edge and bizarre style of the period for anyone interested in at the same time – Medieval architecture, a prime example both inside and out. After Olympic history, socialist towers, 19th-century churches of how the city continues undergoing renovation, it will architecture or large amounts and 1930s-era cafés all surround to develop in new and interest- re-open in 2012. of oddly-shaped concrete. a 21st-century public space. ing ways. TALLINN • 8 / 9 Dining out & chilling out Mari Kadanik

Head isu! Bon Appetit!

Traditional Estonian cuisine has its roots in village culture, with Germanic, Scandinavian and Slavic influences thrown in the mix. Favourites include sauerkraut, jellied pork, marinated eel, herring, and at Christmas, blood sausage. The local signature drink is Vana Tallinn, a sweet liqueur invented in the 1960s. It’s usually taken straight or added Sigrid Viir to coffee.

Tallinn’s bustling restaurant scene is packed with inventive chefs and offers mouthwatering cuisine for every taste: Medieval, ethnic, elegant, cutting-edge and more. Thanks to strong cultural and historic links, the city is also home to several top-notch Russian

restaurants. Johannes Arro Tallinn has long been a If relaxation means biking, The city’s nightlife offers With its wide range of local popular destination for yachting, swimming, something for every taste fashion, design products relaxation. The city is home golfing, and enjoying the and speed, whether that and handicrafts as well as to several spa facilities, all great outdoors, Tallinn can means grabbing a pint and popular, internationally offeringbrand new facilities also oblige. , watching the game in a known brands, Tallinn caters and services ranging from and , small islands friendly pub, sipping cognac to even the most extreme various saunas to chocolate just off the coast are known in a fireside lounge, or shopaholics. massage. for their quiet pine forests, dancing the night away in secluded sandy beaches a trendy club. and fishing village charm. Mart Taniel Toomas Tuul Toomas TALLINN • 10 / 11 On the cutting edge

As much as Tallinners pride Not only is Tallinn ranked The average resident is The city has over 350 public themselves on their city’s among the Europe’s most incredibly tech savvy, Wi-Fi areas and over 700 Medieval heritage, it’s the technology-oriented cities, and businesses are always public Internet access modern side of city life that leading the way in everything quick to adapt to the next points, nearly all of which tends to grab international from free public Wi-Fi to new thing. are free. headlines. e-government, it also has a dynamic business com- munity eager to engage in new areas. Toomas Tuul Toomas Tallinn is home to the world Most drivers pay for 98% of the country’s bank The international think tank development headquarters street parking via SMS transactions are done Intelligent Community of the Internet telephony text message, a system online. Forum listed Tallinn among company Skype, a product pioneered here. the world’s “Top Seven developed in Estonia. Tallinn Tallinn is home to NATO’s Intelligent Communities” Lennart Meri Airport is Becoming an entrepreneur Cyber Defence Centre of for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. home to the World’s first takes just 15 minutes over Excellence. Skype video calling booth. the internet. In January 1, 2011 Estonia became the 17th member of the Eurozone.

Public Wi-Fi Cafés and hotels throughout the city provide free internet access. Karel Koplimets Karel Madis Palm

In Medieval times, Tallinn’s St. Oleviste Church tower with its 159 m spire was the tallest building in the World. Nowadays the city’s tallest structure is its 314m TV Tower, which will soon have its own claim to fame: it will host a futuristic exhibition featuring the latest of Estonia’s high-tech inventions. Tallinn18 / 18 is a fantastic place to experience each of the four seasons in all its glory. In summer the city positively bursts with life – parks, beaches and Old Town streets pulse with a festival atmosphere. Both the crisp, colourful autumn and the warm, fresh spring offer their own natural charms. And during the frosty Christmas season the city takes on a truly magical quality! Toomas Tuul Toomas Published by Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau Text by Steven Q Roman & Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convenvtion Bureau Design by Bummi and Jan Tomson & Indrek Sirkel Printed by AS Folger Art • © 2011 www.tourism.tallinn.ee www.tallinn.mobi