Old Tallinn,
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Estonia
Old TallinnVisited: November 2003 and several times before More pictures of Old Tallinn:
These pictures have been tagged with the following tags (clicking on the tag will take you to all pictures on this site with that tag) Estonia Europe green Old Tallinn Tallinn tower street panorama red house yellow arches white sculpture wall christian church detail purple viewpoint door grey sign snakeSearchSearch pages at Traveladventures.org Go directly to:Travel picturesYou can travel the world using images - select your preferred language below:  |  |  |  |  |  MailinglistIf you want to be updated regularly about new stories and pictures: Google EarthClick your way around Estonia with pictures (needs Google Earth software) Visual GeographyAdvertiseIt is possible to advertise on this travel site. Travel advertisers, ask for more information! SurveyIs there a difference between a traveler and a tourist? View Results |
The fundaments of Tallinn were laid some 4,500 years ago, but the city really came to life in the Middle Ages, during which it was occupied by Danes, Swedes, Germans, Russians. It also was a Hanseatic Town which brought the city prosperity. After being part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, it became the capital of an independent Estonia in 1991. The old town now is a well-preserved testimony of Tallinn's past, a small island in a sea of the modern city.
Entering the old town (Vanalinn) through one of the city gates takes you back in time. Cobble-stone alleys, watchtowers, seemingly indestructible city walls, elegant churches, stone arches through which you can reach romantic corners: much of the delight of a visit to Tallinn is to just walk around the town and follow your nose. The old town is so small, it is virtually impossible to really get lost. Among the attractions you will surely see in the lower parts of the old town are an old pharmacy, a minaret-like tower of the city hall, medieval squares and colourful houses. 
Walking up to Toompea, the hill that overlooks Tallinn and the obvious place for a castle. Nowadays, the castle is the seat of Parliament and not open to the public. On Toompea, you can visit a Russian Orthodox church, a Lutheran church full of arms of the rich who were buried here, the Kiek in de Kök (Peep in the kitchen) tower, as well as have a drink at the bar inside the Neitsitorn or Virgin's Tower which served as a prison for prostitutes in days long gone. There are several vantage points from which you have a good view over the old city.
