Sightseeing Overview The old core of Tallinn is easy to explore on foot, with buses, trolleybuses and taxis on hand to get to the other out of town sights. In effect the key sight is the UNESCO World Heritage listed old town itself, a chocolate box beauty of winding cobbled streets, vaulting church spires and pastel hued buildings. The old town is neatly hemmed in by the remnants of its medieval walls, with some of the orange roofed towers that once protected the city from attack still intact. At the hub of the old town is the Town Hall Square, an expanse of cobbles awash with pavement
cafes during the warmer months, with its landmark town hall soaring into the sky from the square below. The Toompea district hovers above the scene with its castle complex, churches and grand buildings; the two viewing platforms up at Toompea offer sweeping views out of the city and are good for getting acquainted with the city’s layout. Toompea is also home to the dreamy Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an orthodox gem that is the city’s most dramatic church. Away from the center, the old Soviet naval base at Paldiski was once strictly off-limits, even for the locals, and now makes for an unusual but fascinating excursion.
The city’s main tourist office (above) is located in the city center. The helpful staff dispense information, as well as hand out maps and brochures. They can also arrange tours and accommodation.
Passes The Tallinn Card, available from the tourist office, gives free access to museums and sights, and includes free tours and free transport.
Key Attractions:
OldTown Tallinn’s old quarter is one of the most attractive in Europe and it is easy to see why it has been dubbed a ‘mini-Prague’. It is compact and easily navigable. Many of the buildings have been renovated and the Old Town now boasts cafes, restaurants, hotels and tourist orientated shops, but this is no museum piece and local people still live and work here.
TownHall(Raekoda) Unmissable thanks to the sinewy spire that hangs omnipresent above the eponymous square. The original town hall rose in the 14th century, but much of the building you see today dates from the 15th century. There is now a small café at the Town Hall, but the interior is often closed for official functions. Visitors can, though, check out the pharmacy, said to be one of the oldest in Europe.
AlexanderNevskyCathedral Dominating the Toompea hillside is this striking orthodox cathedral with its instantly memorable black onion domes. The cathedral was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III, first opening its doors in 1900. Local legend has it that the reason that the cathedral has been plagued by structural problems is that, although it was commissioned to commemorate a Russian hero, it actually stands on the grave of an Estonian one.
OccupationMuseum The dark days of both the Nazi and the Soviet occupations come alive at this chilling museum. Old uniforms, photos and audio-visual displays illuminate the tortuous decades that Estonia endured before its eventual independence in 1991.
CivicMuseum The civic museum offers a lucid and comprehensive depiction of the story of this deeply historical city. Housed in a 14th century building, it covers up to German and Soviet times and right through to independence with some fascinating photos. Also stages temporary art exhibitions.
KiekindeKok This museum’s name translates as ‘Peek into the Kitchen’, a nickname given to the defensive tower in which it is housed by soldiers peering into the kitchens of the old town houses below. Today the tower and its museum offer an insight into the city’s medieval defenses and the building is also home to an art gallery.
TVTower This 1980s monstrosity is thankfully located well outside the old town. It may never win any architectural awards and the staff are as rude as ever, but the views back towards the city and across the Baltic Sea towards Finland from 170m (557 ft) up are impressive.
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