Estonia

Destination 》Europe 》Northern Europe 》Estonia

Year Visited: 2017 – January

I visited Estonia in January 2017 during Chinese New Year, as a backpacking trip across Baltic Nations — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Estonia, a former Soviet Republic, is a country on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. The territory of Estonia consists of the mainland and of 2,222 islands in the Baltic Sea.

Estonia has been dominated by foreign powers through much of its history. After centuries of successive rule by Germans, Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians, a distinct Estonian national identity began to emerge in the early 20th centuries. In 1940 it was incorporated into the U.S.S.R. as one of its constituent republics. Estonia remained a Soviet republic until 1991, when, along with the other Baltic states, it declared its independence.

I made Tallinn, the breathtaking capital of Estonia, my base for 4 days. Tallinn is possibly one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Europe with medieval stone walls, sky-scraping church bell towers, and winding cobblestone streets opening into squares and courtyards.

Vanalinn, Tallinn’s old town, built between 13th and 14th centuries, has been astonishingly well preserved and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

Photos below are from my four days in Tallinn.

Welcome to Tallinn! A beautiful manhole cover with the old symbol of Tallinn water.

Built in 14th century, Viru Gate are two of the 26 remaining defense towers of the original 45 towers in Tallinn. These two large, ivy-covered watchtowers mark the entrance to Tallinn’s Old Town. This Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Europe’s few medieval cities still wrapped in its original defense walls.

Viru Gate after dark.

A row of beautiful flower shops just outside Viru Gate.

Tallinn’s fairy-tale Old Town is a network of cobbled streets, quiet alleyways, crooked streets and hidden courtyards hosting a treasure of medieval architecture. Partial view of St. Nicholas Church, a 13th century former church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors.

During Summer the cobble-stoned Old Town is packed with tourists, sometimes as many as 4-5 cruise ships dock at the harbor.

Early morning visit to Town Hall Square. Tallinn Town Hall is the oldest town hall in the whole of the Baltic region and Scandinavia. It is the last surviving Gothic Town Hall in Northern Europe. Construction of the building started in the 13th century and it was completed, in its current form in 1404. The town was ruled from this Town Hall for nearly 700 years.

Tallinn Town Hall in the Town Hall Square.

The Town Hall Square of Tallinn old town. During Summer the cobble-stoned Old Town is packed with tourists, As this was early morning of January, there were only few tourists in the town.

The Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy), one of the oldest continuously running pharmacies in Europe, having always been in business in the same house since the early 15th century. It is also the oldest commercial enterprise and the oldest medical establishment in Tallinn.

The medieval restaurant Olde Hansa is the home of a rich merchant, whose guests enjoy delicious, authentic Hansa-era meals, drinks, and true period music.

The painted doors of House of the Blackheads, a former headquarters of the Brotherhood of Blackheads. Historically this was a professional association of ship owners and merchants dating from the 14th century. A Maure, a symbol of Saint Maurice, the patron saint of the Brotherhood, is carved in wood above the doors.

The Church of the Holy Spirit, founded in 13th century, a medieval Lutheran church in the old town of Tallinn. The beautiful clock on façade of the church was added in 17th century.

The Long Leg Gate Tower (Pika jala väravatorn) is the main gate that separates the lower town from Toompea Hill. It was built around 1380 and expanded around 1450.

Looking down Pikk Jalg (The Long Leg Street), the oldest route from the Lower Town to Toompea, an ancient Estonian fortress.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an orthodox cathedral in the Tallinn Old Town

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a classic onion-domed Russian Orthodox church, built between 1894 and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire.

St. Mary’s Cathedral (Toomkirik), also known as Dome Church, located on Toompea Hill. Originally established by Danes in 1240, it is the oldest church in Tallinn and mainland Estonia.

Kiek in de Kök (Peep into the Kitchen) is an artillery tower, built in 1475, now a museum presenting the history of the city defenses. It gained the name from the ability of tower occupants to see into kitchens of nearby houses. Behind the tower is a St. Nicholas Church, a 13th century former church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors.

Balcony of the Maiden Tower café in the Kiek in de Köki Fortifications Museum.

Breathtaking views of the St Olaf’s Church, the Old Town and its towers and walls, all the way down to the port from Patkuli viewing platform, situated in one of the most ancient parts of Tallinn.

The St Olaf’s Church, the Old Town and its towers and walls from kohtuotsa viewing platform.

The Monastery Gate (Klosterpforte) also known as Wilhelm Neumann’s gate, built according to Neumann’s design at the end of the 19th century when Suur-Kloostri (Great Monastery) street was being established.

The medieval-era Great Coastal Gate (Suur Rannavärav, built during 14th century) and Fat Margaret tower (Paks Margareeta, built during 16th century) were built to protect the city from seafaring invaders, as well as impress visitors that would have arrived in the city by the sea.

The Fat Margaret tower (Paks Margareeta, built during 16th century), Stolting Tower (Stoltingi torn, the oldest conventional tower built during 1340–1355) and The St Olaf’s Church (built during 12th century)

Tower Square, Green space with grassy areas & a playground bordered on one side by medieval wall towers.

Koisimäe torn, Plate torn, Eppingi torn, Grusbeketagune torn, built between 14th and 15th centuries, are four of the remaining 26 towers that surround the Old Town section of Tallinn.

The first Pub in Estonia, located in the old town of Tallinn.

Having Põhjala Beer, from a local brewery in Tallinn, with my Estonian friend who also works in Shanghai.

Alexander, Traditional Estonian lager Beer, from A. Le Coq, the oldest Estonian brewery founded in 1807.

Estonian Vodka, sold in 100 ml Shot glass.

In Tallinn, a significant part of Soviet architecture was preserved, also with Soviet adornments; a typical residential building of the Stalinist period with spire and star at the top of the corner building.