Town Wall and Towers
Once upon a time Tallinn was surrounded by the wall 2,4km long, 16m high, 3m thick and included 46 towers. These days 1.9 km of the wall stands, as do 20 defensive towers. It still provides a great view and a cool experience walking up along the wall. Several of the towers now work as art museums and cafes, so take a look around.
The best places to see the wall are the Tornide väljak (Tower Square, a park area near the train station), Laboratooriumi street and Müürivahe street (where handicraft market is). The only section of the wall that’s open to the public is on Gümnaasiumi street. From the entrance in the Nunna Tower you can walk along the wall to the Sauna Tower and the Kuldjala Tower. Views from there are amazing!
Where is it: Tallinn Old Town, Gümnaasiumi 3 (3 minutes walk from Nunne hostel)
Open: 1.04-31.05 Mon-Wed, Fri 12-18, Sat-Sun 11-16;
1.06-31.08 Mon-Sun 11-19;
1.09-31.10 Mon-Wed, Fri 12-18, Sat-Sun 11-16;
1.11-31.03 Mon, Tue, Fri 12-17, Sat-Sun 11-16
Price: 20 EEK (1,3 EUR) per person
St. Catherine’s Passage
St. Catherine is a narrow walkway what is without doubt one of the most romantic spots in the Old Town imbued with a medieval milieu. You can see the remaining portions of St. Catherine's Church and residential buildings from the 15th to the 17th centuries. The open studios of St. Catherine's Guild artisans are located here, and visitors can watch artists and craftsmen practise their craft daily. While each studio is unique in appearance and function, they are all united in the principle of the open studio: here one can view works not only as finished products, as in an ordinary gallery, but also as the end product of various processes that the open studio presents to the visitor.
Where is it: in Old Town, runs between Vene and Müürivahe streets
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
A classic onion-domed 19th-century Russian Orthodox church that has become a touristy symbol of the city, much to the annoyance of nationalist types who regard it as a symbol of oppression. It was almost demolished in 1924 during Estonia's first brief spell of independence, but the Soviets left it to moulder and it has been restored to its former glory.
Open: every day 8:00-18:00
Price: free of charge
Rotermann Quarter
Rotermann Quarter is the old-new Tallinn, area what is hidden behind this hideous cinema building, is really worth to visit. It is a former factory complex rebuild to a bustling commercial and cultural centre. It is the place where old and new architecture combines in a best way. There you can find shops, cafes, restaurants. Visitors in search of a cultural experience in the Rotermann Quarter can visit the Loovala art collective, a group of studios where artists work and display their creations. During the summer time Rotermanni City Square accommodates a small farm market, offering Estonian food products only, farm food what you can't buy from supermarkets. Weekly markets of Estonian handicraft and design take additionally place every Sunday.
Where is it: between Old Town, the Passenger Port and Viru Square. Behind the Cinema Coca-Cola Plaza.
KUMU Museum
Kumu, opened in 2006, was the first new museum in the Baltic countries and probably in the whole region of Eastern and Central Europe. It is a young, vigorous, intensice and intelligent museum. Kumu is not only houses inspiring contemporary Estonian art, it is also a work of art itself. The striking museum, built into a hillside in Kadriorg, has five floors and an auditorium for regular film, dance and theatre performances. Its ground floor houses a lovely café. The building itself is a symbol of its kind, playing with archetypal signs such as the circle, and local important elements such as limestone, greenish copper and, especially important for northerners, light. Name "KUMU" abbreviates from Estonian "KUnsti MUuseum" (art museum).
In 2008, the Kumu Art Museum was recognized as the best museum in Europe and the winner of the European Museum of the Year Award.
Where is it: In Kadriorg Park, Weizenbergi 34 / Valge 1
How to get there? From Nunne hostel take tram no 1 to last stop Kadriorg. Then walk about 10 minutes.
Open:
1.05-30.09
| Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun | 11:00 - 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Mon | closed |
| Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun | 11:00 - 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Mon, Tues | closed |
Price: Exact price to be clarified by service provider (approximately from 30/45 EEK). It dependes on how many floor you would like to visit.
Estonian Open Air Museum
Would you like to see how Estonians lived in 18-20th century and at the same time have a picnic there? Nearly 100 farm buildings nestle on 80ha of forest in Rocca al Mare, on the shore of the Kopli Gulf. Informative signs in Estonian, Russian, English and German guide you through 150 years of farming history. A lot of places where to sit down and put your picnic linen and basket.
How to get there: Take bus N°21 or 21b from the train station to Vabaőhumuuseum stop.
Price: Admission 95kr.
Seaplane Harbour (in Estonian: Lennusadam)
This is the home to the Maritime Museum's ships. One of the most fascinating is the Lembit submarine, launched in England in 1936, which served in Estonia's navy before the Soviet invasion. Its interior is original, and visitors can examine the torpedo tubes and cramped bunks. The Suur Tőll is the world's largest surviving steam-powered icebreaker and, since its launch in 1914, has spent decades keeping the Baltic waterways clear.
These seaplane hangars are unique shell concrete structures, which demonstrate engineering 20 years ahead of its time.
Where is it: Küti 15A
Open: Wed-Sun 10.00 - 18.00
Price: 80 EEK
Holy Spirit Church
Just off Town Hall Square stands a radiant, white church with an octagonal tower. This is the 14th-century Holy Spirit Church, a spectacular structure both inside and out. Outdoor clock that's said to be one of the most photographed objects in Tallinn.
1.01-30.04 Mon-Fri 10.00-14.00;
1.05-30.09 Mon-Sat 9.00-17.00;
1.10-31.12 Mon-Fri 10.00-14.00
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