The capital of Estonia Tallinn is a city-museum of the Middle Ages.

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Its history dates back to the eleventh century. In different centuries belonged to the peoples of Fino-Ugric tribes, Danes, Germans, Swedes, Russians. It is not surprising that the city preserves the cultural heritage of its versatile history. At different times he wore the names of Kolyvan, Lindanis, Revel.

In 2010, the capital of Estonia was declared the "European Capital of Culture". Prior to this, in 1997, UNESCO included the historic part of the city on the World Heritage List.

What served this special attention of the European community?

To understand this, it is necessary to visit the small Baltic town of Tallinn, which to this day has preserved the features of a medieval city. The capital of Estonia is a city-museum in the open air. From the first minutes of tourists coming here, it is clear that they were in another era.

The lacy interlacing of narrow streets fascinates travelers, you want to go all over town. The most famous streets of Tallinn are: Viru Street, leading to the Old Town, and the streets of Pikk Yalg (translated as Long Leg) And Luhike Yalg (Short Leg), the lane of St. Catherine.

The old town is divided into two parts: Vyshgorod on the hill of Toompea and the Lower Town, which is surrounded by a Tallinn city wall built in the thirteenth century. It is noteworthy that the medieval defensive structure had 27 towers, of which 18 remained.

Walking around Tallinn is a real touch to the medieval European culture.

Tallinn's Town Hall Square is the central place of the old town. The architectural ensemble of Raekoi Square is famous for the Town Hall, built in the early fifteenth century, on which the famous symbol of the weather vane Old Thomas rotates. Here on the square is another celebrity - the Town Hall Pharmacy, the oldest in Europe, the first mention of which dates back to 1422.

On this famous Tallinn square, the townspeople still gather, conducting merry noisy Christmas fairs, knight tournaments, medieval carnivals.

The capital of Estonia is rich in architectural monuments of 13-15 centuries. This is the building of the Great Guild - the second largest medieval building, connected with the social life of the old city. This is the house of famous citizens, built in the Gothic style, and the Dominican Monastery, many churches, the tower of Long Herman. The tourist route will necessarily lead to the Orthodox churches of Alexander Nevsky and Kazan Our Lady.

An interesting building is the church of Pühovaymu (Church of the Holy Spirit). Attention of tourists is drawn to the hanging pulpit of the preacher, a wooden altar and a clock built into the outer wall.

Noteworthy is the garden of the Danish king at Toompea Castle.

Interesting stories associated with the tower Tolstaya Margarita. It is adjoined by three houses of the fifteenth century, named "Three Sisters", the arch of the Great Sea Gates. The construction of Tolsta Margarita's tower was connected with the defense of the city from the sea. Today the tower was sheltered by the Estonian Maritime Museum.

In Tallinn, several viewing platforms have been built, which allow you to view from above the amazing beauty of a cozy medieval town. From there, the tallest buildings of Tallinn look good: the spire of the church of Oliviste (about one hundred and twenty-three meters in height), the Viru Gates.

Undoubtedly attractive for tourists is the residence of Russian tsars, the Palace of Peter the Great, in Estonian Kadriorg, which is now the residence of the President of Estonia.

Yes, there is much to see in Tallinn, but you can also rest. Nightlife in the town does not cease. Theaters, cinemas, discos, music clubs, all kinds of cafes, bars do not give bored travelers.

Shopping in Tallinn has become popular with Russians, especially among residents of St. Petersburg. In Tallinn there are both modern shopping centers, and all kinds of shops, workshops, selling traditional Estonian souvenirs. Tourists are very fond of Tallinn ceramics, handmade knitwear, sweets (especially chocolate Kalev) and many other souvenir products.