The Baltic States, St. Petersburg, and Moscow
September 26 - October 14, 2013
Part Three - Estonia
Page Two - Old Town Talinn
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral on Toompea
Hill in Tallinn Old Town. It was built to a design by Mikhail
Preobrazhensky in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894
and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian
Empire. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Tallinn's largest and grandest
orthodox cupola cathedral. It is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky who
in 1242 won the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipus, in the territorial waters
of present day Estonia. The battle is notable because it was fought
largely on the frozen lake.
A small boy touring the Cathedral area with his family
Father holding his child walking through Old Town Talinn
Overview of Old Town Talinn from Toompea Hill,
with the modern business district in the background
St. Olav's Church, a 14th century Gothic church, on the left, dominates the
skyline. Especially in the summer, huge cruise ships come into the
harbor, which is in walking distance of Old Town. You can
see a couple of cruise ships in the background.
Another father carrying his child through Old Town.
Narrow cobblestoned street in Old Town Talinn
Estonia was part of the Hanseatic League in medieval times. The League
was a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds
and their market towns that dominated trade along the coast of Northern
Europe.
Talinn's
Old Town is protected by UNESCO. It is the most intact
medieval city in
Europe and still has the original street system from the
13th to 15th century
and most of the 14th and 15th century
houses in their original size and form.
Many stores in Old Town have these human sized mannequins outside
encouraging you to come in.
Large square in Old Town. The Estonian medieval era
began in 1227. During that era, most of Estonia's pagan
territory was under Christian rule that lasted until the territorial
order of Old-Livland ended after the Livonian War in 1558. Estonia
was part of Old-Livland, a territory divided between the Brothers of the
Sword, two bishop dioceses, and the King of Denmark.
Local businesses in the Old Town area tend to dress their staff in peasant garb
from the medieval era.
Near an entrance to the restored medieval old town area.
People leaving the Old Town area on Viru Street, including some of
the tour group (people to the left of the suitcases).
As elsewhere, it is common for street musicians to perform
in tourist areas hoping for tips. This group was at the entry
towers to the walled medieval era Old Town.
Viru Gates were built in the 14th Century, and the towers still standing
today are only a part of the original structure. Viru Gates
are located in the eastern section of the town wall.
Hare Krishna group heading into Old Town. There is an
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
in Tallinn.
Child enjoying playing in the park near Old Town entrance.
Link to Page Three - Kadriorg Park
Pat's Home Page