Tallin, Estonia

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This wasn't in the original plan, but it was a relatively easy ferry ride from Helsinki so it wasn't hard to talk Jacqueline into a day trip (she's a planner).

I'm so glad we did, and one day simply isn't enough. We did our best to see as much as the "old town" as we could in 1 day ... I think we did a pretty good job.

Some history:

After centuries of successive rule by the Teutonic Order, Denmark, Sweden, and the Russian Empire, a distinct Estonian national identity began to emerge in the mid-19th century. This culminated in the February 24th 1918 Estonian Declaration of Independence from the warring Russian and German Empires. Estonia declared neutrality at the outbreak of World War II, but the country was repeatedly invaded and occupied, first by the Soviet Union in 1940, then by Nazi Germany in 1941, and was ultimately reoccupied in 1944 and annexed into the USSR.

After nearly a half-century of occupation, Estonia gained independence along with Latvia and Lithuania following the Singing Revolution which included peaceful protests, singing of cultural folk songs and the creation of a human chain linking the 3 Baltic states. On September 6, 1991 all 3 countries gained their independence and were recognized by Russia and the rest of the world.

No longer the plaything of greater powers, Tallinn is now a proud European capital with an allure of its own. It's bursting with wonderful sights and absurdly photogenic. I had a hard time putting my camera down.

Having only a small taste of this wonderful country, I know that I will be back to do a proper tour of all 3 Baltic states at some point in the future.

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Photos

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Arriving via ferry

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The first of many fortifications that surround the "old" city. This one is called Fat Margaret.
The tower was built in the early 16th century (from 1511 to 1530) during the reconstruction of the medieval city gate system. The etymology of the tower's name derives from the fact that it was the largest part of the city's fortifications with walls measuring 25 meters in diameter, 20 meters in height and up to 5 meters thick. Apart from being a fortification against would-be invaders to the port of the town, it was also built to impress outside visitors arriving by sea

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The Great Coastal Gate is one of six remaining gates that are still intact from the old city wall system. They controlled access to the city during medieval times. This particular gate was added during the 14th century.

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Estonian Maritime Museum located inside Fat Margaret tower.

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Another tower

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Town Hall Square

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Taken from the top of Town Hall tower

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Taken from the top of Town Hall tower

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They seem to do a pretty good job with touristy stuff

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cobblestone streets pretty much everywhere

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Town Hall tower. I climbed it, it's tall!

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A lovely lunch in one of the smaller squares.

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A lovely lunch in one of the smaller squares. I had a chicken dish.

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A lovely lunch in one of the smaller squares. Jacq had salmon.

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Viru Gate (Viru Värav)
At one point in time, there were a total of 45 towers built into the walls that protected Tallinn. Twenty-six of those still remain. Two of the best preserved of the bunch are called Viru Gate. The gate dates from the 14th Century, as do most of the towers, and sits at the entrance way into the Old Town.

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Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral

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Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral

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St Mary's Lutheran Cathedral

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Artsy shot of Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral ... taken from the doorway of St Mary's Lutheran Cathedral

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Here is a section of wall with the Tall Hermann Tower in the background. It is located at Toompea Castle and situated next to the Estonian Parliament building. The flag of Estonia always flies here on the tower, which reaches up 95 meters into the air at the top of the flag pole. The original structure was begun in 1360, and ended up taking a whopping 40 years to complete. Later, the height of the tower was increased to 45 meters in the 16th Century.

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Hellemann Tower
The Hellemann Tower was built in the early 15th century. It was named after a resident who owned land nearby and was built to protect Viru Gate. Helleman Tower has three levels and a three quarter circle layout. The 11 meters (33 feet) tall first floor was used as an ammunition room. The tower has also been used as a prison.

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Under/behind one of the walls

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Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral

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I think this is Munkadetagune Torn (Tower behind Monks)