The capital city of Estonia, Tallinn is the perfect confluence of modern technology and rich culture, all set in the backdrop of its medieval historical landscape. Today, Tallinn is counted amongst the top ten digital cities in the world and is the financial, cultural, educational, and research center of Estonia. But it’s the city’s well-preserved historical province that makes the place worth a visit. Defined by Gothic, Baroque, and Soviet Architecture, the Old Part of Tallinn is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and often regarded as an exciting mix of old and new.
Here are the 15 places every Architect must visit when in Tallinn, Estonia-
1. St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Recognized by its distinctive onion-shaped dome, the church holds great architectural as well as historical importance. Built-in the early 1900s, and designed by St. Petersburg architect Mikhail Preobrazhenski, this marvel is composed of various architectural features, adapted from different eras of history, and is the focal point of the plaza surrounding it.
2. Toompea Castle
Originally built as a defensive fortress for the city, the castle today functions as the Riigikogu (Parliament Building). Housed inside thick, unassuming stone walls, the contrasting pink-colored, Expressionist-Baroque styled building is a part of the whole Toompea Castle complex. Apart from the Parliament, the site also features the 48M high Tall Hermann tower.
3. Kadriorg Palace
Designed by Italian architect Nicola Michetti, the Palace that stands today is a result of numerous restorations and additions. The structure boasts a rich Baroque style, both in exterior as well as the interior. Today, it is considered as the crowning jewel of the country and houses an art museum within itself.
4. Seaplane Harbor Maritime Museum
This renovation project by KOKO Architects focuses on creating a mixed-used, culturally vibrant space out of the unused hangars by the harbor. Recipient of Europa Nostra 2013 Grand Prix, the building is topped by thin concrete domes and hosts exhibitions, dining events, and meetings. The notable fact here, the vintage submarine, underwater mines, shipwrecks, and other nautical curiosities are kept in-tact as an aesthetic feature by the architects.
5. St. Mary’s Cathedral
Or the Dome Church is the oldest surviving church in the country. The original structure, built out of wood was destroyed in a fire accident, which led to the construction of the structure that stands today. It’s 69M tall Belltower, topped with a Baroque styled dome that offers terrific views of the city and the surrounding structures.
