Introduction to Tallinn

The beautiful city of Tallinn is one of the Baltic’s great surprises, being one of Northern Europe’s best preserved medieval towns. It is not only the capital, but the heart and soul of Estonia, as well as a custodian of a long, noble history. A member of the famed Hanseatic League that dominated the Baltic during the Middle Ages, Tallinn has preserved its medieval core looks with its high church spires and red-tiled roofs under German influences.

Sight of Attractions in Tallinn

The Upper Town – Toompea Hill

The native Estonians built their first stronghold on Toompea Hill, defended by steep slopes on three sides. It was the perfect place for a citadel, and has remained the dominant feature of the Upper Town. At the heart of old Tallinn’s Upper Town is Palace Square, named after the pink-colored Baroque Toompea Castle, which is today the seat of Estonian parliament and government. Within its walls and fairyland bastions, the Upper Town is surprisingly quiet and dignified. It is also worth mentioning about the Maiden Tower and the “Peep-in-the-Kitchen” Tower, simply because it provides a fine panorama view of the Lower Town, even into the kitchen as the name suggests.

The Lower Town – Town Hall Square

The Lower Town is lively and bustling, especially near the Town Hall.  It offers great mixture of culture, food and entertainment. Used to be home to both the City Council and the Courts, the Town Hall is today a museum and a concert hall. There is also the Town Hall Pharmacy which has been in business for 500 years, as well as cafes, restaurants and boutiques at the square.

Dome Church

The gothic St. Mary’s Cathedral is also known as the Dome Church for its gothic exterior decor. Visitors to the Dome Church may find it surprising once inside the church to find its lovely baroque interior, greatly in contrast with its exterior. While continue to function as a cathedral, the church is also a frequent host of concerts with its powerful pipe organs. The church’s Baroque spires present a vivid contrast to the Russian-style onion domes of the nearby Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Rocca Al Mare – The Outdoor Museum

The unique open-air museum at Rocca Al Mare exhibits over 60 traditional wooden Estonian rural buildings from the 19th century, from barns to taverns, houses to windmills, gathered from around the country.

 

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