ESTONIA

TALLINN

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Tallin (approximately 570 000 inhabitants, of which: Estonians 54.8%, Russians 36.6%, Ukrainians 3.6%, Belorussians 1.9% Other 3.1%), capital of Estonia and port in the Gulf of Finland. Tallinn was founded by Danes in 1219, who built a fortress, in 1285 the city joined the Hanseatic League, and in 1346, the Danes sold it to the Teutonic Order. Among the 15th and 16th century, the city developed thanks to its strategic position in the center of trade routes that connected Europe with the north-western Russia, during this period Tallinn had 8,000 inhabitants, and was fortified with mighty walls and 66 guard towers, this was the golden age of the city. Between 1561 and 1710 it was Swedish, and then become part, by 1710, Tsarist Russia. A new impetus to the development of the city was given with the construction, in 1870, of the railroad that connected it to St. Petersburg. The name of the city was Reval until 1918 when Estonia became an independent state. 

Tallinn is a complete and well-preserved example of medieval commercial city of northern Europe, so in 1997, UNESCO has included the historic centre of Tallinn in the list of world heritages of humanity. 

Tallin main attractions: Tallinn is one of the Baltic city better preserved, much of the old medieval city retains its charm intact with paved roads, the town-walls, churches and old buildings still preserved. The historic centre of Tallinn is formed by the high city, located on Toompea hill, and the Lower Town, which maintains the medieval track and is still medieval walled. 

The visit can start from the lower city, the area best preserved of old Tallinn, completely surrounded by walls equipped with numerous towers, we enter into the city from what remains of Viru Gate (Viru väravad), originally one of the main gates of the city dated back to 14th century, now it have only two towers, hence a brief detour northward brings us to Passage St. Catherine (Katariina käik), place between Vene and Müürivahe streets, the passage is made up of houses of 15th and 17th century housing shops craft. There is also the Clausure Monastery and the Dominican Claustrum (Dominiiklaste kloostri klausuuris, Dominiiklaste klooster), is the oldest convent in Tallinn, founded in 1246, inside there is the Church of Saint Catherine (Katariina kirik) of 14th century. 

The Lower City has its centre in Municipal Square (Raekoja platsi), this was the old market square, today, in summer, is the cultural and vital center of the city, full of outdoor cafes, concerts are held there, Markets, fairs, while in winter is the place where it is erected the Christmas tree and where does the Christmas market. On the square facing the Municipal Palace of the City of Tallinn (Tallinna Raekoda), building in late Gothic style, is one of the symbols of the city, built in the thirteenth century, was rebuilt between 1402 and 1404, inside contains some interesting rooms: the Hall of Citizens and the Hall of the Council. Another interesting building, located in a corner of Municipal Square (Raekoja platsi) is the Pharmacy Hall (Raeapteek), one of the oldest pharmacies still functioning in Europe, they have established the existence since 1422. A short distance we find the Church of the Holy Spirit (Püha Vaimu kirik), an interesting church of the 14th century, the bell is the Estonia oldest bell, and its clock is the oldest public clock in Tallinn. The interior of the church is richly decorated with sculptures in wood, while the altar of 1483 is one of the most valuable medieval artwork of Estonia. 

Just north of the Municipal Square (Raekoja platsi), is the building of the Guild (Eesti Ajaloomuuseum-Suurgildi hoone), today seat of the Estonian Museum of History, was that, for importance, the second civilian palace of medieval Tallinn, it was the palace where met the merchant guilds of the city. The palace was built between 1407 and 1417 and still has the original facade with the emblem of corporations and the date 1430 above the entrance. An interesting Renaissance palace is the House of Brotherhood of Blackheads (Mustpeade maja), used since since the sixteenth century by this brotherhood of merchants, has a facade in the Dutch Renaissance style, to report the beautiful gateway of 1640, is located inside the Hall of the Confraternity with two aisles and vaulted ceiling. 

Then we come to the Historical Museum of the City of Tallinn (Tallinna Linnamuuseum), continuing towards the north end of the lower town you reach the church of Sant'Olav (Oleviste kirik), an old Gothic church built in the thirteenth century, the spire of the bell tower of the church, was the highest of medieval Europe reaching 159 metres high. A short distance reach the picturesque city walls at the point where is the Marina Grande Gate and the Tower Margareeta (Suur Rannavärav ja Paks Margareeta), two defensive structures on the side that looks the sea of the city walls, near the port. The gate was rebuilt in the sixteenth century and in the occasion was added also the big round tower called Margareeta, 20 metres high and with a diameter of 25 metres, it served to defend the port, but was also used as storage of gunpowder and weapons and also as a prison. Today the tower houses the Maritime Museum of Estonia (Eesti Meremuuseum), very beautiful city view from the top of the tower. We continue our journey along a long stretch of north-western walls that stretch with numerous defensive towers, the walls date from the thirteenth and sixteenth century, they were originally 16 meters high and 3 meters thick, and completely surrounded the city for about 4 km with 46 defensive towers, today, this impressive defensive system, one of the most powerful northern Europe, remain 2 km of walls and 26 towers. In this stretch of the walls are the medieval towers of Nunna (Nunnatorni), Sauna (Saunatorni) and Kuldjala (Kuldjalatorni) that can be visited and from which is a beautiful view of the lower city and on Toompea hill. 

Continuing southward we reach the Church of St. Nicholas (Niguliste kirik) and the adjacent Museum of St. Nicholas (Niguliste muuseumis), the Church of the thirteenth century presents a Renaissance atrium and a Gothic chapel dedicated to St. Anthony, here is the painting "Dance Macabre" by Berndt Notke of Luebeck late fifteenth century. The museum of the church contains three important works of medieval art. Before you are entering in the upper part of the city worth visiting the Tower for Cannon (Kiek in de Kök), once the most powerful tower for guns in the Baltic Sea, built in the fifteenth century, round, had a diameter of 17 meters, a height of 38 meters and a thickness of 4 metres. Today the tower houses an exhibition on military history of the city from thirteenth to the eighteenth century. 

It then enters in the high city, located on Toompea hill, once a separate city (Dom zu Reval), residence of power that controlled the city, three buildings are the more interesting on the hill: Toompea Castle, the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Mary the Virgin. The Toompea Castle (Toompea loss) and the high Tower of Hermann (Pika Hermannitorni), are among the most important works of fortifications in Estonia, the castle was built between the thirteenth and fourteenth century and dominates the city on the hill at 50 metres high. Today, the castle is the seat of the Estonian Parliament. The Tower Hermann, the most impressive of the fortress, 48 meters high, is located in the south-west of the castle and was built in the fourteenth century. In the square of the castle overlooking the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Aleksander Nevski katedraal), building quite recently, it was built in 1900, the building has the largest dome in the city, inside the church is richly decorated, and is dedicated the prince of Novgorod, Alexander Nevsky Yaroslavitz. A short distance from the Orthodox cathedral are also the Gardens of the Danish King (Taani kuninga aed), the place where according to legend, the Danes received their national flag. The Cathedral of St. Mary the Virgin (Toomkirik), is the most important Lutheran church in the city and in the nation, the construction of the church dates from the thirteenth century, but the church is Baroque, inside are burials of the thirteenth century. 

To complete the sightseeing are still some attractions outside the historic center: the most important, is located about 2 km east of the historic center, and is without doubt the Kadriorg Palace (Kadrioru loss), this is the baroque palace built in Eighteenth century as a summer residence for the Tsar of all the Russias Peter I Romanov (known as Peter the Great), its work began in 1718 and were entrusted to Italian Niccolò Marchetti, at the time of its construction the building was called Ekaterinenthal or Catherinenthal, in honor of Tsar's wife, Catherine I. The palace is now used as headquarters of foreign art collection of the Museum of Art Estonian KUMU, in some buildings adjoining the palace are hosted other museums including the Mikkel Museum (art museum), Peter I House Museum, the Gallery Kastellaanimaja and Eduard Vilde House Museum. The palace is surrounded by a large park, originally of nearly 100 hectares, only minimally required to garden. Attached to the Tsarist palace is the residence of the Estonian head of state, built in the'30s of the twentieth century. In a modern building located near it lies the Art Museum of Estonia KUMU (KUMU Kunstimuuseum). 

In the suburb of Pirita, 2 km north-east of Kadriorg are the ruins of the Convent of St. Brigitta (Pirita kloostri varemed), founded in 1407, in Gothic style, was one of the most important monasteries in the country, destroyed in the second half the sixteenth century, today it still evocative ruins. 

Museums: There are many museums of the city, among include: Kadrioru loss-Kadrioru Kunstimuuseum (visit to the rooms of the palace Kadriorg and foreign art collection of the Museum of Art Estonian KUMU). Kumu Kunstimuuseum (Estonian Art Museum). Mikkeli muuseum (museum of art: Chinese porcelain, Flemish and Dutch paintings, engravings Italian). Niguliste Muuseum (religious art, paintings). Eesti Ajaloomuuseum-Suurgildi hoone (visit to the Palace of corporations and the Museum of History Estonian). Tallinna Linnamuuseum (museum dedicated to the history of Tallinn). Adamson-Ericu muuseum (dedicated to Adamson-Eric Estonian artist of the twentieth century). Eesti Theaters-ja Muusikamuuseum (Museum of Tearto and Music: ancient musical instruments). Raevangla Fotomuuseum (Museum of Photographic History). Dominiiklaste kloostri klausuur (Claustrum). Dominiiklaste kloostri muuseum (Museum of Dominican Monastery). Kiek in de Kök (military museum on the history of Tallinn). Bastionide käigud (Steps under Fortifications of Tallinn). Peeter I majamuuseum (antique furniture). Jaani Seek (museum dedicated to charity and all'altruismo). Eesti Loodusmuuseum (Museum of Natural History). Eesti Meremuuseum (Estonian Maritime Museum). Eesti Meremuuseum-Muuseumilaevade sadam (Estonian Maritime Museum-Museum of Ships). Miinimuuseum (Museum of Mine). Lastemuuseum (Museum of Dolls). 

Christmas Market (Jõuluturg Tallinnas): every day from December 1 to 7 January, the marketplace is taking place around the tree Christmas in Municipal Square (Raekoja platsi). 

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Getting Around Tallin: The historic centre turns easily on foot, however Tallinn is served by a dense network of public services: bus (64 lines), tram (4 lines) and trolley (8 lines). Public transport are running between 6 and 23. 

Flights: The international airport of Tallinn (Tallinn International Airport) is approximately 4 km from downtown Tallinn. The following airlines operate from Tallinn: Aero Airlines, Air Baltic, Airest, Avies, City Airline, CSA Czech Airlines, easyJet, Estonian Air, Finnair, Finncomm Airlines, flynordic, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa , Norwegian, SAS. There are direct links between Tallin and the following European cities: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin (Schoenefeld), Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dubrovnik, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Helsinki, Kiev, Kuressaare, London (Gatwick, Stansted), Milan (Malpensa), Moscow, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Riga, Simferopol, Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn, Vienna, Vilnius, Warsaw. 

Tallinn Climate: Tallinn, has a continental climate with cold, long and dark winters, (the average in February is about -5°C, but during the coldest months the temperature can drop to -30°C) and short and relatively mild summers (the average summer temperature is around 17°C). The rainfall is scarce, mainly summer.

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