Travel Guide to Tallinn, Estonia

Due to the saved city walls and special atmosphere of the Old Town Tallinn looks just like a medieval open-aired museum. On the Toompea Hill in the ancient Toopmea take place a lot of old building, surrounded by narrow streets. According to UNESCO, the center of Tallinn is in the best condition of all the European medieval centers. The Tallinn city wall is still almost untouched. Thanks to the small size of the city, you'll manage to visit all the important sights during one day.

The Old Tallinn. Twisting, paved streets of the Old Tallinn are very popular with tourists. Surrounded by the city wall the Old Town is divided into two parts: the Toompea – the former aristocracy area and the Lower Town. Due to the thick city wall, which efficiently protected Tallinn from enemies, the city center of the 11th century is still in good state. The marvelous Raekoja is situated there, nearby you'll the old chemistry, built in 1422!

In the Old Town you can find a great number of churches, for example St Olav's Church of the 13th century, which used to be the highest church of the medieval Europe. The old city wall with numerous bastions was one of the best fortifications of the 16th century. On the Toompea Hill you'll also find one of the main symbols of Tallinn – the amazing Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The best place to enjoy the medieval atmosphere of the Old Town is St Catherine's Passage, located between the Vene and Muurivahe Streets. There you can have a quiet walk and see the work process of tradesmen.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the biggest and the most beautiful domed cathedral in Tallinn. It's well decorated and has a mixture of various historical styles. It was created in 1900 on the Toompea Hill, when Estonia was partially under the influence of Russia. The cathedral was projected by the architect Mihail Preobrazhensky, the representative of St Petersburg school. The cathedral was named in honor of Alexander Nevsky, the Novgorod prince, who in 1242 defeated the Teutonic Knights during the battle on the on the ice of Lake Peipus. before the cathedral was created there took place the garden, devoted to Martin Luter. The cathedral belfries with 11 bells (the heaviest is 15 tones) create the wonderful bell ensemble, the sounds of which can heard before every prayer service. Special attention deserve the icons and the mosaics of the cathedral.

The Great Guild Hall. The building of the Great Guild Hall was the second biggest secular building after the Raekoja in medieval Tallinn. The Great Guild was the organization that united the rich tradesmen of the city and carried for common interests. From its audience burgomaster and the most important officials of Tallinn were elected. Only rich citizens, who had a wife and a house, had the right to become a member of the Great Guild. The strangers, who wanted to join the guild, had to marry the widows of the dead members. The Guild Hall was built in 1407-1477. Its great size speaks about the power the guild had at those times. Even nowadays the building look like it used to be in the 15th century (especially its posh front with the emblem and bronze door knockers). At present day there takes place the History Museum, the permanent exposition of which tells us about the history of Estonia till the 13th century.

The House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads. The House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads is one of a few saved till our days buildings of the Renaissance style. The brotherhood appeared in 1399 and united young traders, who waited for their turn to enter the 'Big Chop'. Its members also were some international merchantmen, who temporarily lived in Tallinn. The name of the House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads is connected with its patron – St Mauricius, the Christian martyr, who died in 280 AD in Switzerland. The brotherhood existed only on the territory of Estonia and Latvia, nothing is known about its activity in other countries of Europe. Its members left the country in the 40s of the 20th century. The House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads was restored in 1597; at the same time it got the Renaissance front. The attractive entrance door dates back to1640. Especial attention deserves the stateroom with arched ceiling and two naves, built in the 15th century. In 1908 the building was renewed inside; its interior got the neoclassical style.

The City Museum. The City Museum is the most modern and interesting Tallinn's history museum. It tells about the most important facts about the history and development of the city. The various aspects of medieval society are described by the texts, models and sound effects. The exhibits on the upper store of the museum are devoted to the life in Estonia in the 20th century: the great wars, the Soviet period and the independence of the country.

The Botanic Garden. The Tallinn Botanic Garden, located on the territory of more than 110 hectares, has more than 8 000 species of plants. In the arboretums, greenhouses and open-aired flowerbeds grows flora from all the corners of the world. There one can have a walk along the desert, humid tropical forest or savanna. Every month in the Tallinn Botanical Garden work renovated exhibitions and carried out the thematic tours (the most popular of them are the tours of summer night aroma and rose days).

Read more about Tallinn:
Restaurants and cuisine in Tallinn
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Tallinn
Nightlife and attractions in Tallinn
Preparing for Tallinn: Advices
Tallinn photogallery