Tallinn- City of the Past and Present

Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia has had a long way before it became what it is today. The city is a charming and intimate place with a medieval-looking old city and narrowed streets. Tallinn as a capital city is a good representative to show how well the country is managed. It, no doubt, had come a long way before it became what we see today. As of today it has a population of approximately 4.3 million and the city is very well fortified with city walls and 66 defense towers.

History

Tallinn is historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names. The city is the capital as well as one of the largest cities in Estonia. It lays on the northern coast of Estonia on the Gulf of Finland.

Northern Estonia and Danish rule of Tallinn started in 1219. It became the northernmost member of the Hanseatic League – which is a mercantile and military alliance of Germany-that dominated cities in Northern Europe in 1285.

The medieval Tallinn though greatly enjoyed a position that is at crossroads of business and trading between the Western as well as the Northern Europe and Russia.

During the time of the Great Northern War, Swedish troops that are based in this city of Tallinn, capitulated to Imperial Russia in 1710, however, the local government institutions including the Magistracy of Reval as well as the Estonia’s Chivalry retained autonomies with respect to cultural and economical fronts within the Imperial Russia as the Duchy of the Estonia. The Independence manifesto was proclaimed on the 24^th day of February in 1918, which is then followed by the Imperial German occupation as well as a war with Russia for independence. During that time, Tallinn became the Independent Estonia’s capital and later after it was annexed into the Soviet Union, Tallinn has become the capital city of the Estonian SSR.

Geography

Tallinn is situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, in northwestern Estonia. The largest Lake in Tallin covers a stretch of 9.6 km and is called as Ülemiste. This is the main drinking water source for the entire population of the Tallin city. The second largest lake that is within the borders of Tallinn is Lake Harku whose area is about 1.6 km². Quite contrary to other large towns and cities, Tallinn has a significant landmark the Pirita River. The entire river valley of the city is a protected area due to its splendid natural beauty.

There is a limestone cliff that lines through Tallinn city. The cliff is quite exposed at Toompea as well as Lasnamäe. Still, Toompea doesn’t form a part of the cliff and it is a separate hill. The highest point of Tallinn is the district of Nõmme, and the height of it is 64 meters from the mean sea level along the southwest side of the city. Additionally, the length of the coastline is about 46 kilometers. It's made up of 3 bigger peninsulas: Kopli peninsula, Paljassaare peninsula and Kakumäe peninsula.

Winter is the best time to visit the place, as the city is particularly gorgeous with snow capping (snowfalls from December to March). Noteworthy is that the city will remain dark for up to 20 hours a day and it provides the perfect excuse for long evenings in bars drinking the native wine called hoogvein (mulled wine). Summer festivities come together around 24^th June, Jaanipaev is the longest day of the year, with almost 24 hours of daylight and it is celebrated by leaping over bonfires.

Major Attractions

The Old Town is a must visit place and most of it dating from the 11^th century is very well preserved as well as complete, its powerful defensive stone buildings have ensured that they are not destroyed by frequent invasions over so many centuries. The medieval milieu and the atmosphere is so lucidly evident in the St. Catherine's passage, In between the two streets named Vene and Muurivahe visitors can stroll past the open studios of various artists and craftsmen that have labored here for centuries.

Toompea has again major attractions in its walls. The various bastions of Castrum Danorum, the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (built during the period of Russian Empire) built on a site that formerly housed the statue of Martin Luther and the Lutheran Cathedral are a must see.

Pirita is a littoral district and is spaced 2 kilometers farther to the northeast of Kadriorg. The marina was erected for the Moscow Olympics of 1980. There are boats available here for hire for a ride on the Pirita River and just 2 kilometers from it are the Botanic Gardens as well as the Tallinn television tower.

Kadriorq is 2 kilometers east of the city center, and the place is served by frequent buses and trams. The place had been the palace of Peter the Great and it was built just after the Great Northern War. Currently, the part of this place houses the Art Museum of Estonia, and it is also the presidential residence. The surrounding grounds include formal gardens and woodland.

Kumu Art Museum is the striking new main building of the Art Museum of Estonia. The museum is an impressive high-tech facility serving both as a national gallery as well as a contemporary art museum. Besides, Estonian classics a lot more recent artworks are also displayed here in the Kumu. The museum is located on the limestone banks of the Lasnamägi that is next to the Kadriorg Park and near the Kadriorg Palace.

Tallinn Zoo happens to be the capital's most popular family attraction. It houses close to 6,000 animals including Polar bears to Siberian tigers, and animal species from warmer lands including the crocodiles and chimpanzees frolicking in the tropical house in the zoo.

Tallinn's sublime Botanical Garden extends over 110 hectares land and contains more than 8,000 plant species. The entire flora comes from all around the world, displayed in arboretums, glasshouses, open fields and thematic gardens. In a few steps visitors are transported from European meadows to African tundra, from desert to rainforest. Specialized exhibits change every month and thematic tours are offered all year round, the most popular being the summer night aroma tours, and the rose days.

Estonia's largest amusement park is Rocca al Mare Tivoli and it provides abundant family fun with 15+ rides and greater than 100 video as well as carnival games. A variety of shows are scheduled everyday with performances in the main tent. This theme park is located along the southwestern coast of Kopli Bay of Tallinn and it is close to the zoo on the sandstone banks.

Kadriorg Palace and Park is a beautiful pink Baroque architectural masterpiece. The Palace happened to be the summer residence of Russian Tsar, Peter I, and today it stands in the center of its seaside resort along the suburb of Tallinn. The streets here are lined with noble villas and summer retreats. Currently, the palace houses Estonian Art Museum's foreign collection that feature several western European as well as Russian works right from the 16^th to 20^th centuries. The works range from prints to paintings to sculpture to furniture.

The park that enfolds the palace is another recreational spot for visitors and locals alike. It consists of formal gardens with symmetrical Swan Lake and meadows and forest groves traversed by walking alleys.

Estonian Open Air Museum is a greatly preserved collection of historic Estonian buildings along a picturesque expanse of forest parkland on the Kopli Bay. The museum is transplanted from around the country to represent the rural life through several centuries. The exhibits here include nothing but several countryside emulating farm buildings, water and windmills, and needless to say offer a great escape into pristine countryside milieu. The place offers sale of some handcrafts, horse rides, and also village inn catering delectable local food. There is also regular folk music and dancing displays. Almost all of the national holidays are celebrated here in grandeur.

Tallinn City Museum is another attraction that offers a lucid and comprehensive depiction of the story of this historical city. Enclosed in a 14^th-century building, its exhibits cover the German and Soviet times, and beyond to independence with some good collection of photos. There are also art exhibitions staged in the museum.

Things you can indulge in Tallinn

There are a lot of things you can do in Tallinn aside from walking the trails through its ruins, history and the majestic edifices. Here are a number of things that will aid you enjoy your stay in Tallinn.

Rugby tours, hockey tours, cricket tours and football tours to Estonia are becoming popular like never before with teams of all ages and locals who will show you how to celebrate after a match. Besides, shopping helps you explore the uniqueness of this capital city. In the old town there are some classy and very fashionable boutiques especially along Viru and Müürivahe. Again, Müürivahe is also the location for outdoor market where knitwear and knitted craftworks are available.

Katariina Passage features the functioning craft workshops as well as producing leatherwork, glass and ceramics. Old Town has an exquisite collection of galleries and studios that feature tapestry, jewelry, sculptures, blacksmiths, interior design, ceramics, knitwear, patchwork and other woodworks.

Old town is also the focus of Tallinn’s nightlife, where you see plenty of trendy pubs and bars, beer cellars and clubs.

Events and some of the festivals that will aid you enjoy to the highest level when in Tallinn

Tallinn Jazz Festival that occurs during April is a very lively jazz and world music festival bringing in life to the city as it comes out of its winter hibernation. The Admiralty Sea Days during May where there is the Maritime-themed event down at the city’s passenger port is a must see. Old Town Days during June is festival themed medieval times. The locals dress up for this occasion. Locals celebrate the summer solstice during June with bonfires and all things pagan. The Biggest beer festival in the Baltic States happens in July and it is marked with live music accompanying lashings of beer. Wide range of music and cultural extravaganza plus appreciating the ruins of the historical Pirita (St Bridget’s) convent is the Birgitta festival that happens that comes during the month of August.

Transportation:

Going to Tallinn is not of big issue as the place is connected to other Baltic and German states via trains. The city is connected to European destinations through the air route and Tallinn airport is located at a stone’s throw distance to the city center. There are several air services from Tallinn to London.

The public transport services are very good at Tallinn and one can board a train at Riga and come to Tallinn or even take a bus service from there. There are EuroLines bus services as well that is faster in service than the train. When in Tallinn, there are several modes of getting around in there. An unlimited Tallinn ticket is available and it works just fine for tourists to get around Tallinn. Strolling is still pleasurable way to getting around the crowded old city streets. There are organized walking expeditions so check out with local guides there. Bicycle tours are also operated within the city so if you are pedal enthusiast check out with tourist operators here. Tallinn also has tram and mini bus services so you can opt for either of them. There are also bicycle taxis and they are a pleasure again. Taxis are expensive, but if you are not tight on your budget you can hire one to getting around in Tallinn.

British-styled stag parties or barrels of beer parties, cobblestone streets or charming old city quarter, Tallinn has so much in store for all.