The breathtaking Tallinn is one of the beautiful cities in northern Europe. Located in Estonia, it is filled with architectural elements like encompassing medieval stone walls, sky-scraping church bell towers, and cobblestone streets bring a Disney movie out of our sight. Dive into the article to find more of places and facts on history, culture, and influence of architecture in Tallinn.
Here is a list of 15 Places to visit in Tallinn for the Travelling Architect:
1. VIRU GATES
Viru gates was a part of the extensive defense system in the 14th century. Though a part of the gate was removed for horse-drawn traffic, the towers of the gate remain. Now the area around the gate changed into a market place selling woolen mittens, roasted nuts, and more restaurants.
2. OLD TOWN
The old town is a still old town with people dressed in medieval clothing; its beautiful medieval architecture adds up. It’s a significant place for the tourists, well the cause of its experience it provides.
3. KOHTUOTSA VIEWING PLATFORM
You can find the platform in the Toompea hill, you can look at the harbor, landscapes, bell towers, and terra-cotta colored roof tiles. It is said to be as musician hangout place, the scenic background view embracing the music.
4. ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL
It was completed in 1900, is a recent addition to the beauty of the cityscape. The Russian Orthodox Church has black onion domes, kind of easy to spot in Toompea hills. Since it’s an active church, there is only limited time for visitors.
5. TOWNHALL SQUARE
As the name represents, the heart of the town since the 13th century, it looks great at Christmas seasons, no longer acts as city’s marketplace is now filled with café chairs and tables serving the tour groups. Occasional festivals add more beauty with its stunning architecture around it.
6. TOOMPEA CASTLE
Built-in the late 1700s, Toompea castle is located next to Alexander Nevsky Church. The castle features exteriors with salmon pink, white details, national flag, and crest. A huge park is located next to Toompea Castle, adding a green view from the cityscape.
7. TELLISKIVI CREATIVE CITY
Beautifully filled with street art this Telliskivi created from warehouses, into boutiques, restaurants, live music venues, and cafes. This is referred to as the creative side of Tallinn.
8. KGB MUSEUM IN VIRU HOTEL
This museum history dates back to 1991 as the Baltic States with Estonia gained freedom from Soviet occupation. KGB had secret headquarters throughout the former Soviet Union, thus proving the reason for so many spy equipment and other artifacts displayed here.
9. PORT OF TALLINN
The Sadama district also known as harbor district is always filled with travelers. Many affordable hotels and restaurants are available in this area; more likely one can find the Museum of Estonian Architecture, which has a contemporary style with frequent exhibitions.
10. SEAPLANE HARBOUR MUSEUM
At Seaplane Harbour museum we can find Estonia’s history explained with exhibits from its beginnings to Soviet times. Famous exhibits include a 1936 submarine and a replica of pre-world war II seaplane. Museum also includes aviation simulators and old uniform replicas visitors can try on. This museum is modern with a system for time-pressed visitors and more historic ships in its outdoors.
11. PATAREI PRISON
Built-in 19th century, was in use from 1919 to 2004. It’s the best example of Soviet prison architecture. It characterizes with dark, gloomy, little oppressive, and more emotional. A little terrorizing fact is that single visitors are not allowed in certain parts of the prison.
12. CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN (DOME CHURCH)
Commonly called as Dome church is located in Toompea hill, is the oldest, built-in the 13th century. The initial building was constructed by wood in 1219. By 1229, it began with stone replacing the old one. Again in 1686, the church was rebuilt as it was severely damaged by fire in 1686. Then from the 15th to 18th century several additions and renovations were made.
13. KUMU – KUNSTIMUUSEUM
Precisely called as Kumu art museum is the largest in Baltics. It’s a seven-storey glass building exists in harmony with its historical surroundings. It displays 18th-century Estonian works while occasionally displays modern and contemporary art all over the world.
14. TALLINN ZOO
Founded in 1939, Tallinn zoo is the largest of its kind found in Estonia housing more than 13,000 animals with 548 species. According to a report, it’s the most visited place in the Baltic States.
15. KADRIORG PALACE
Estonia’s history and culture can be seen in the arts kept at Kadriorg palace, where the richest people in Estonia once lived here. It was a Petrine Baroque-style palace built for Catherine I of Russia by Peter the Great.
