| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
Located on the Baltic Sea, only about 37 miles (60km) across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki, Estonia spent 2 centuries as one of Russia's Baltic Provinces before becoming an independent republic in 1918. Little over 2 decades later, it fell back under Russian control when Soviet troops rolled in and incorporated the country into the Soviet Union. It became independent once again in 1991. Separated from the west for 50 years, the capitol city of Tallinn is now visited frequently by tourists sailing aboard hydrofoils and other vessels from Helsinki and Stockholm. Tallinn, a UNESCO world heritage site, was founded in the 12th century and has been under the rule of Denmark, Sweden, and Germany as well as Russia, and all left their mark on the city's architecture. It is one of the best preserved medieval towns in northern Europe, and makes a beautiful impression from the sea, with its ancient city walls, church spires, and red-tile roofed homes. At the Old Town, you pass beneath the arches of Tallinn's ancient stone walls and enter a world of cobblestones, narrow alleys, and medieval buildings. It's a fun place to explore on foot. While under German occupation in 1944, the city was bombed and 1,100 people were killed or wounded. Also at that time, about 11% of the old town was destroyed, and was replaced afterward by bleak Soviet architecture. Today, the city is growing rapidly, with modern buildings joining the old.
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| History (Source: WCities) | Top | Tallinn began its living approximately in the 10th century. As ancient Estonians were seeking for a suitable trading place around the Gulf of Finland, they came across the spot where Tallinn now stands. The limestone castle was built for protection, just near the sea. The place is now known as Toompea. In 1219 Northern Estonia was conquered by the Danes led by King Waldemar II, who later established a stone castle at Toompea. This then grew to a multinational town. Throughout the Danish period (1219-1346) behind the town wall a network of streets was formed and the town hall, the guild house, churches and convents, warehouses and defense buildings were erected. The city’s big coat of arms, with three lions against the golden background, comes from the Danish royal coat of arms. The small one, with the white Latin cross on the red background, comes from the Danish national flag the Dannebrog, which according to the legend fell from the sky during the battle for the castle. Tallinn was founded in 1219, before the stone houses were wooden ones, though there is little said about it. Tallinn has been ruled by the Danish, The Livonian Order, and Russians. Around 1857 the town started to grow industrial-wise. Large factories were built in the end of the 19th and in the beginning of the 20th century and their production was exported to Russia. Tallinn became one of the most important ports. The Russian influence can be seen in the town’s architecture. Kadriorg Palace and
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting there: By Air: The Tallinn International Airport is located 4 kilometers from the city centre. It provides a variety of excellent facilities and services to meet the requirements of modern traveler. Information service in Departure Hall is opened at 5 AM and closed after the last arriving flight. Ph. +372 605 8888, fax +372 605 8433 / http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/ Aero Airlines ( ph. +372 611 0740 / http://www.aeroairlines.ee ) Air Baltic ( ph. +372 640 1160 / http:// www.airbaltic.com ) Airest ( ph. +372 605 1230 / http:// www.airest.ee ) Avies ( ph. +372 605 8022 / http://www.avies.ee ) CSA Czech Airlines ( ph. +372 630 9397 / http://www.csa.cz ) Easyjet ( ph. +372 605 8887 / http://www.easyjet.com ) Estonian Air ( ph. +372 640 1101 / http://www.estonian-air.ee ) Finnair ( ph. +372 611 0950 / http://www.finnair.ee ) Flynordic ( ph. +46 852 806 820 / http:// www.flynordic.com ) KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ( ph. +372 699 9696 / http://www.estonia.klm.com ) LOT Polish Airlines ( ph. +372 605 8190 / http:// www.lot.com ) Lufthansa ( ph. +372 681 4630 / http://www.lufthansa.com ) Scandinavian Airlines ( ph. +372 666 3030 / http:// www.skandinavian.net ) Bus no. 2 leaves the airport for the city center and port every 20 minutes, and operates from 7 AM until midnight. The price 15 EEK, tickets can be bought from the driver. The airport bus stop is located in f
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | Entertainment: Although being the capital of Estonia and an important business and legal center Tallinn is rather small. Its tiny streets in Old Town house a large number of galleries, museums, sightseeing spots and other entertainment places. For art lovers apart from Old Tallinn itself there are a lot of galleries in Tallinn. Some recommendations would be Navitrolla Galerii – a rather diverse place of a local artist, Viviann Napp Gallery – famous place for Eastern European artists, Aurum – jewellery gallery, Kastellaanimaja Gallery – contemporary artists. There is also a great amount of museums all across Tallinn. Adamson-Eric Museum – with works by a world-renown artist, Applied Art Museum – museum of Estonian applied arts, Museum of Estonian Architecture – the name says it all, Niguliste Museum - Concert hall – offering works of medieval art, The Great Guild Hall – this is now a historical museum, Maarjamäe Palace – hosting Estonia’s history museum, Kiek in de Kök – a historical defense tower, and Estonian Open Air Museum – with shows of local farmers and peasant traditions. Because Tallinn dates back to 13th century there are a lot of houses, towers, castles and palaces left up to date. Most of them represent different centuries and reigns, worth a visit. Kadriorg Palace , Tallinn Town Hall , Dominican Monastery , Town Hall Pharmacy , House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads , Church of the Holy Ghost , Nunna, Sauna and K
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