Viru Gate
Though Tallinn is over seven centuries old, it wears its age well. Remnants of its past such as the defensive walls and a few of the towers are still standing and have become part of the urban landscape. It is an enchanting place that opens up to reveal itself when you spend more time getting acquainted with it. Fortunately, you can still stroll around town without the crowds that beset other European cities.
This Hanseatic house is on Harju Street.
Another unique thing to watch for in Tallinn are its colorful and distinctive doors.
Knock, knock.
View from Ibis Hotel
*****
Flower Market
When my Uber driver dropped me off at Viru Gate, I was immediately captivated by the colorful flower market that leads up to the Old Town. The floral varieties for late fall were astonishing. The sight of these flowers brightened my mood immediately as I passed the gate.
Pikk Jalg (Long Leg) Street
This is the path I chose to go up to Toompea Hill. It is one of the oldest streets in Tallinn and is sandwiched between two walls. The other way up is through the Luhike Jalg or Short Leg street which is a shorter route but much steeper.
Old Defensive walls
Here are the Stable Tower (Tollitorn) on the left, the Maiden Tower (Neitsitorn) in the center and the Kiek in de Kók Tower. The Stable tower is said to be the most haunted place in Tallinn. The Maiden tower was built in the 14th century as a defensive tower. It has served as home to artists and now houses a museum café with views of the city. Kiek in de Kök was built in 1475 as an artillery tower. It got its name from the view it accorded of the kitchens of nearby houses.
Surprise discoveries happen when you walk aimlessly around town.
Cat’s Well
This well has an intriguing story behind it. Medieval residents believed there was an evil water spirit in the well who threatened to dry up all the water wells in town unless animal sacrifices were offered. So residents threw all kinds of animals down the well to appease the mean spirit. Many of these were stray cats. Can you imagine how awful the water must have tasted? On the plus side, the wells didn’t run dry.
Voldemar Panso
This sculpture or relief is unique to Tallinn. I’ve never seen one that seems to come out of the wall. But what a tribute it is to Panso who was an actor, a stage director, and one of the founders of the ESSR State Youth Theater and its first head stage director. He received various awards including People’s Artist of the Estonian SSR (1968) and USSR (1977).
Juhan Smuul
Smuul was one of the most renowned writers of Estonia. He wrote novels, travelogues and screenplays. His most famous book is The Frozen Book which is about a Russian voyage to Antarctica. Smuul received many awards including the People’s Writer of Estonia SSR (1965), the Stalin Prize, the Lenin Prize and the Order of Lenin (1967). The local people clamored to have this sculpture removed in 2023 after discovering that Smuul participated in the deportation of fellow Estonians to the eastern region of Russia. Instead, the Writer’s Union added a small plaque at the bottom of the sculpture showing a QR code that explains Smuul’s complicity in the Soviet repression and subsequent deportation of Estonians.
Michel Sittow
Michel Sittow was a court portrait painter of Isabella of Castille. He was trained in Early Netherlandish style of painting. This sculpture is a memorial to Sittow and it is attached to the façade of his former home in Tallinn which he inherited from his parents.
It’s a pleasure to walk around the Old Town with its clean and quiet streets.
While strolling around the Old Town, don’t forget to check out the diverse architectural styles.
Memorial to War of Independence, Freedom Square
The Liberty Cross is a tribute to the soldiers and civilians who fought for freedom during the Estonian War of Independence between 1918-1919 against Soviet Russia and German (Baltische Landeswehr) aggression in 1919. More than 4,000 Estonians died and 14,000 injured during the course of the war. With the help of the UK and Finland and later Denmark and Sweden, Estonia was able to successfully end the war with the signing of the Treaty of Tartu in 1920.
Town Hall Square
One of the things I like about Tallinn are its squares. They’re so expansive and inviting.
A little reading nook in the center of Town Hall Square
The Sail, KUMU Museum
If you have time to go to a museum in Talinn, I would highly recommend the KUMU. You can read more about it here: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2024/12/kumu-museum-talinn.html.
Tallinn can’t be discovered on a day trip. It has so much to show the fully invested traveler.
Where to stay:
Ibis Tallinn Center
Juhkentali 28
accor.com
This is a new and modern hotel conveniently located between the Old Town and the airport. It has a bar and restaurant on site.
How to get around:
For the most part, I took Uber around town. The prices were reasonable. Tallinn has extensive bus and tram lines throughout the city. The Old Town is best enjoyed on foot.
Essentials:
Currency: euro
Electrical plug: Type F (two round pins)
Language: Estonian, Russian, English (many locals especially in the hospitality industry speak English)
Stay connected
Images by TravelswithCharie