On the coast of the Gulf of Finland is an ancient city with a long history and an amazing atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale. Sometimes it seems as if time has stopped in the capital of Estonia, because there are probably no such ancient towers and fortresses, as well as a huge number of Gothic buildings anywhere else.
City with ancient history
The beautifully preserved city of Tallinn became famous over 800 years ago when an Arab 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 will never leave the usual old scenery, but this is not so.
Crossroads of past and present
Tallinn, rightly positioning itself as medieval, harmoniously combines rich specialatmosphere of the past and the modern present with chic restaurants, designer hotels and trendy boutiques. It is believed that the heart of Estonia is a real historical and geographical crossroads. All tourists are attracted by the perfect balance of rich club life, exciting shopping and surprisingly clean air of nature outside the city, with dense forests, impenetrable swamps.
Gothic town hall and square
The Old Town of Tallinn is proud of its main attraction - Town Hall Square, which has long been a market area. It has become a recognized center of the historical part of the Estonian capital: it is here that all kinds of concerts, festivals, and fairs are held. In summer it is filled with cozy cafe terraces, and in winter it is a real delight with a sprawling fabulous Christmas market with a huge spruce in the middle.
The famous Gothic-style town hall, which is over 600 years old, is located on the main square, which gave it its name. The one-storey small limestone building was gradually expanded, its construction was carried out by well-known masters with good taste. From the octagonal peak, which is easily reached by a winding ladder in summer, an amazing view of Tallinn opens from a height. The city center appears from above, as if in the palm of your hand, and the sight is really memorable. And the town hall is crowned with the symbol of Tallinn - a weather vane with the name Old Thomas.
The main character of Tallinn is the wind
If you ask locals or visiting tourists about the main feature of the Old City, theneveryone will certainly point to the wind. He dominates everywhere and always: both in summer and in winter, one 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 with the help of weather vanes. They are installed on almost all city rooftops, and many are decorated with a variety of details that tell not only about ancient history.
What will the weathercocks tell?
The ancient city of Tallinn is proud of its weathervanes, which were installed 5 centuries ago and have become a kind of local landmark. It is interesting that messages to descendants were left in the balls below them, and the gilding of the details cost the inhabitants a very tidy sum. But an expensive and beautiful weather vane became more a matter of prestige than a necessity. And from the figurines installed on it, one could learn a lot about the life values of the inhabitants and their requests to higher powers.
For example, the image of a stork symbolized an indestructible family hearth, a small fish, according to legend, brought good luck and spiritual growth. Those who installed roosters on weathervanes were afraid of fires and thus asked for protection. Special tubes were even inserted into the body of the bird, through which the wind passed, making pleasant sounds. It was believed that any weather vane chant drives away evil forces from the house of its owners.
Tallinn Hotels
Don't 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 the life of the capital of Estonia. Numeroustravelers are always waiting for comfortable hotels in Tallinn. There are places to stay in the Old Town, and even two-star hotels provide spacious apartments with a buffet and free internet.
And lovers of a luxurious and expensive vacation can always book luxury apartments in the status hotels of Tallinn, located in the historical part, striving for European reality.
Thanks to various services and special websites, it is now very easy to choose hotels in Tallinn according to your taste and budget. In the Old Town - a recognized place of pilgrimage 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 quarters of Tallinn and not save on excursions to the historical and cultural monuments of the city.
Ancient city restaurants
It's worth visiting at least once the exquisitely decorated restaurants of Tallinn in the Old Town, which combine traditional cuisine with the finest Italian, French and even African. Recreated from old photographs, chic interiors, stylish furnishings, unique dishes and an original wine list excite the interest and appetite of all visitors without exception.
The B altic pearl will always delight with its unique architecture, preserved from ancient times unchanged. The ancient city of Tallinn captivates with a special beauty that sinks into the soul, which no one can conveyphotograph.
