On the shores of the Gulf of Finland there is an ancient city with centuries of history and an amazing atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale. Sometimes it seems as if time has stopped in the capital of Estonia, because such ancient towers and fortresses, as well as a huge number of Gothic buildings, probably aren’t anywhere else.
City with ancient history
The well-preserved city of Tallinn became known more than 800 years ago when an Arabian traveler discovered a small settlement. Its historical part is of value to the whole world and is included in the lists of objects protected by UNESCO. It seems to many that the capital of Estonia does not come out of the usual old-fashioned scenery, but this is not so.
Crossroads of the past and present
The city of Tallinn, rightly positioning itself as a medieval city, harmoniously combines the past saturated with a special atmosphere and the present with chic restaurants, designer hotels and fashion boutiques. It is believed that the heart of Estonia is a true historical and geographical crossroads. All tourists are attracted by the perfect balance of rich club life, exciting shopping and the amazingly clean air of nature outside the city, with dense forests, impenetrable swamps.
Gothic town hall and square
The old city of Tallinn is proud of its main attraction - Town Hall Square, which has long been a market territory. It has become a recognized center of the historical part of the Estonian capital: it is here that all kinds of concerts, festivals, fairs are held. In the summer, it is filled with cozy terraces of the cafe, and in winter, it is a real delight for a fabulous Christmas market with a huge spruce in the middle.
The famous Gothic town hall, which is over 600 years old, is located on the main square, and it was she who gave it its name. The one-story small limestone building was gradually expanded; well-known craftsmen who had good taste were engaged in its construction. From the octagonal peak, which is easily accessible by a twisted ladder in the summer, offers an amazing view from a height of Tallinn. The city center from above appears, as if in the palm of your hand, and the spectacle is really memorable. And the symbol of Tallinn crowns the town hall - a weather vane with the name Old Thomas.
The main character of Tallinn is the wind
If you ask local residents or arrivals about the main feature of the Old Town, then everyone will certainly point to the wind. He dominates everywhere and always: in summer and in winter you cannot hide from him. Therefore, the wind is considered the main character of Tallinn, and the population has long come up with a way to find out its direction using weathercocks. They are installed on almost all city roofs, and many are decorated with various details that will tell not only about ancient history.
What will the weathercocks tell?
The ancient city of Tallinn is proud of weathercocks that were installed 5 centuries ago and have become a kind of local attractions. It is interesting that messages in the balls under them were left to the descendants, and the gilding of details cost the inhabitants a very round sum. But an expensive and beautiful weather vane became more a matter of prestige than a necessity. And from the figures installed on it, one could learn a lot about the life values of residents and their requests for higher powers.
For example, the image of a stork symbolized an unbreakable family hearth, a small fish, according to legend, brought good luck and spiritual growth. Those who installed roosters on weathercocks were afraid of fires and thus asked for protection. Special tubes were even inserted into the bird’s body, through which the wind passed, making pleasant sounds. It was believed that any chanting of a weather vane drives unkind forces from the house of its owners.
Tallinn Hotels
Do not forget that Tallinn is a city with an ancient history, but at the same time very modern, with a developed tourist infrastructure. And separately it is necessary to talk about this side of life in the capital of Estonia. Comfortable hotels in Tallinn are always waiting for numerous travelers. There is a place to stay in the Old Town, and even two-star hotels provide spacious apartments with a buffet and free internet.
And lovers of a chic and expensive holiday will always be able to book luxury apartments located in the historical part of the status hotels of Tallinn, striving for European reality.
Thanks to various services and special sites, it is now very easy to choose hotels in Tallinn to your taste and wallet. In the Old Town - a recognized pilgrimage site for all foreigners - the cost of rooms will be much higher than on the outskirts. Based on this, you can pre-book an inexpensive hotel in the remote districts of Tallinn and not save on excursions to the historical and cultural monuments of the city.
Ancient City Restaurants
It is worth visiting the exquisitely decorated restaurants of Tallinn in the Old Town at least once, in which traditional cuisine is combined with the most exquisite Italian, French and even African. The chic interiors recreated from old photographs, stylish decor, unique dishes and the original wine list excite the interest and appetite of all visitors without exception.
The Baltic pearl will always delight with its unique architecture, which has remained unchanged from ancient times. The ancient city of Tallinn captivates the soul with a special beauty that cannot be conveyed by any photograph.