The most famous sights of the Estonian capital are examples of medieval European architecture. Fanciful weather vanes and pointed tiled roofs, church spiers against the blue sky and strong, slightly gloomy fortress walls, cobbled pavements and narrow winding streets - all about Tallinn. There are a lot of city tours. Let's talk about the most interesting and popular among tourists.
A bit of history
Approximately in 1230, the German Order of the Sword settled Westphalian and Lübeck merchants at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. This time is considered to be the moment of foundation of the Hanseatic city called Revel.
Quite soon Revel took a special position among the Hanseatic cities. It's all about good location. At the city gates, all the goods transported by were stored. Local merchants made excellent money on intermediary trade between East and West.
Revel wasa fortress armed with 35 towers, near the walls of which stood the best gunners and guarded the treasures of local merchants. The heyday of the city fell on the XV-XVI centuries. Economic development has led to the emergence of new buildings in the city, made in trendy architectural styles.
At the end of the 16th century, Reval became part of Sweden. During the Northern War, which began in 1700, Russian troops captured the city. In 1918, the city was occupied by the Germans, and a year later it received its modern name. Excursions in Russian are not uncommon here. Most of the inhabitants are fluent in the language of Pushkin. In addition, excursions around Tallinn are popular with travelers from Russia, which determines the tourist destination.
In 1944, Soviet troops de alt a heavy blow to the Germans, who were stationed in Tallinn. Many buildings were destroyed, many citizens died. Approximately 20 thousand inhabitants lost their homes. It is surprising that after such tragic events, excursions in Tallinn can be very eventful. Ancient buildings miraculously survived here. And the town hall, which is included in almost all excursions in Tallinn, is the oldest of its kind in northern Europe.
Until 1991, Estonia was part of the USSR. Six years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the historic district (Old Town) was inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list.
Excursions in Tallinn
To get to know the city, you need to do a lot of hiking. Such an excursion is suitable for a seasoned tourist. But that's the only way to enjoy the view.the Estonian capital, feel its color.
Sightseeing tour will cost about 80 euros (1 euro is about 75 rubles). There are many more options. For example, a tour of Tallinn by ferry. However, below are those that are focused on the most inquisitive travelers. Those who are not afraid of hiking and scary urban legends.
Secrets of the City Hall
This is one of the unusual routes. The guide does not just provide dry data from the history of an architectural monument, which, by the way, is over 600 years old. He tells terrible stories about the executions that once took place on the main square in Tallinn, and much more that cannot be found in the guidebook. Tourists, on the other hand, listen to the guide, inspect the medieval landmark and take pictures at the pillory, which a few hundred years ago, not a single inhabitant of Reval approached of his own free will. The cost of the tour is 40 euros.
Alcohol Tallinn
This is a tourism program to learn about how and where the locals produced spirits. And in this case, they knew a lot. Estonia is famous for all kinds of alcoholic drinks. Such an excursion costs about the same as the one described above.
Legends of medieval Tallinn
In the old days, people were more naive, superstitious and gullible. They saw ghosts everywhere and recognized the mystical principle in everything. Legends of Medieval Tallinn is a walking tour that allows you to get acquainted with interestingmystical stories that originated in the Estonian capital many centuries ago.
Lyuhe Yalg Street is considered an anomalous area. Locals claim that ghosts live here. One of the houses on Lai Street is connected with the sad love story of a monk and a ratman's daughter. The guide will tell you about what kind of ghosts are found on Lukha Yalg and what the passionate attraction of the young monk led to. The duration of the tour is two hours. The cost is 46 euros.
Tallinn from the tram window
There are no questions about what type of transport this excursion is carried out on. It is worth saying that there are only four tram lines in the Estonian capital. On one of them lies a popular tourist route lasting two hours. Price - 48 euros.
Revel - city of masters
In Tallinn in the Middle Ages lived not only enterprising merchants, but also hardworking artisans. Stonemasons, masons, brewers, apothecaries - they all lived in what is today the main sights of the city.
To learn more about the life of the inhabitants of medieval Reval, you should book a tour of Revel - the city of craftsmen. The standard price is 48 euros.
Old City Guardians
Tallinn is a great place for a family vacation. There are attractions that will be of interest to young tourists. But in order to get to know the city in the most interesting way, the Guardians of the Old City tourist program has been created. This is a children's quest that allows children to immerse themselvesin the history of Tallinn. The cost is 50 euros.
Mystique of evening Tallinn
This is another program aimed at lovers of all things mysterious. The guide tells urban legends, which, perhaps, can be heard during any other excursion to Tallinn in Russian. But as you know, everything extraordinary happens after sunset.
Mystique of the evening Tallinn - the route that tourists pass in the evening. The cost of the tour is 50 euros.
Orthodox Tallinn
Estonia was part of Russia for a long time, and then the Soviet Union. This left its mark on the architectural appearance of the capital. During the tour, the guide talks about the Orthodox churches that are located here, about the role representatives of the Romanov dynasty played in the fate of the city, and much more.
Bus tours from Tallinn
Estonia is a very small country, which, however, does not mean that all its sights can be explored in a couple of days. After all, each of them has a long, interesting history. But tourists who want to spend time more intensely, coming to this city, get excursions not only in the historical center, but also in nearby settlements. And even in neighboring countries.
You can immerse yourself in the culture and history of the B altic cities by ordering a tour Tallinn - Riga. Tourists first visit the Old Town, visit the Museum of Architecture, then go by bus to Latvia. In Riga, they are also waiting for a sightseeing tour. The route includes the legendary Jurmala.
There is also an excursion Tallinn - Stockholm. Tourists leave their city, upon arrival in the Estonian capital, they check into a hotel, then visit local attractions. And they go by ferry to Sweden. Among the Stockholm attractions included in the itinerary is the Royal Palace. Tour duration - 4 days.
Reviews
It is very difficult to find a person who has visited the Estonian capital and remained indifferent to local attractions. Reviews about the tour of Tallinn in Russian are only positive. The only negative that tourists from Russia talk about is the paved pavements, which are rather tiring to walk for two to three hours.
Attractions
In the center of the city there is a square where executions took place in the Middle Ages. The aforementioned town hall is also located here. There is a pharmacy in Tallinn founded in the 15th century. This attraction is included in many tourist routes.
Freedom Square appeared in the 19th century on the site of a Swedish bastion. The Tallinn city wall once protected the city from the enemy, but today it performs an exclusively decorative function. Other sights of the Estonian capital: Maiden Tower, Viru Gates, Katarina Lane, Dome Cathedral, Kaarli Church.
