In 1991, when the Soviet Union came to an end, the people of Estonia were thrilled to finally gain their independence. In point of fact, the small Baltic state achieved its independence for the very first time in the year 1918; consequently, the current government has made the decision to hold centennial celebrations from April 2017 through February 2020. A major selling point for Tallinn is the opportunity to experience all of the quirks and dangers of life during the Communist era while also indulging in the contemporary comforts of the West.
The capital of Estonia established in medieval times, and despite the fact that it is only a ferry ride away from Helsinki, Finland, the Estonian language bears a striking resemblance to Finnish. Even if you only have one day to spend in this bustling city of 427,000 people, you will have no trouble finding things to occupy your time here. The following is a list of the ten most important things to do in Tallinn.
Kadriorg Palace
In the early 18th century, Tsar Peter the Great had the property that is now known as Kadriorg Palace constructed with the intention that it would be a summer residence for his wife, Empress Catherine I. In practice, however, the Russian royal family did not visit very often, but the palace has been beautifully preserved. It was modeled after Italian palaces that existed during the time period. The building is now home to a well-curated collection of international art, which includes works by painters such as Jacob Jordaens and Ilya Repin, amongst others.
Farm Restaurant
The city’s medieval core is home to this showcase of contemporary Estonian cuisine, which opened in 2014. The atmosphere creates a fantastical representation of life on a farm. The atmosphere is brought to life by the chandeliers, milk jugs, bird cages, and a grand piano in white. The most peculiar thing is a diorama that depicts a stuffed wolf and wild boar sharing a meal at a table together.
Hotel Viru KGB Museum
When it first opened its doors in 1972, this hotel was Tallinn’s tallest building and offered Westerners the most comfortable accommodations available. It has 23 floors. Spies working for the KGB hid microphones and cameras in a variety of objects throughout the Hotel Viru, such as ashtrays, lamps, and phones, but they did not reveal this information to the Finnish architects. You are able to take a tour of the former KGB radio transmission center on the premises today, complete with recording gear and gas masks.
The City Wall of Tallinn
The oldest sections of the city wall surrounding Tallinn were constructed in the 13th century and feature 26 red turreted towers. The wall is strikingly picturesque. This historic Hanseatic League trading city’s wall, which once protected nearly two kilometers of the city’s perimeter, has been preserved in nearly its entirety. Visit the Patkuli viewing platform to take in a breathtaking vista of the city of Tallinn and the wall that surrounds it.
The Park of Soviet Statues
The official name of this outdoor show is “Memory,” and it is a sobering reminder of what the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic did to art when it ruled Estonia. During this time, the Soviet Union took over Estonia (1940-1990). If you are looking for a bronze statue of Lenin that was put up in 1952 or a granite statue of Viktor Kingissepp, the leader of the Estonian Communist Party, that made in 1988, you have come to the right place. Both of these statues can be found in this area. The statue park feels both out of this world and scary at the same time.
Antiik Kaleidoskoop
Did you know that Tallinn and Moscow shared the responsibility of hosting the 1980 Summer Olympics? The sailing competitions moved to Tallinn from Moscow because Moscow is not located on the water. Antiik Kaleidoskoop is a cluttered indoor bazaar that sells vintage Olympic memorabilia such as dolls depicting the mascots, Misha the bear, and Vigri the seal. If you are a fan of kitsch, you will enjoy shopping at this store. There are also humorous anti-alcoholism and pro-cosmonaut propaganda posters, buttons depicting a hammer and sickle, and busts of Stalin available for purchase.
The District of Noblessner
Since the days of drab Communist buildings with communal dwellings, there has been a significant amount of progress made in the field of urban development. A good example of this is the redeveloped area of Noblessner, which faces the harbor in Tallinn. It was originally a shipyard for submarines under the control of Imperial Russia (1913-17).
The name of the company comes from the names of its two founders: Emmanuel Nobel, who was the nephew of Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite, and Gustav Lessner. These same businessmen from St. Petersburg would be shocked to see how modern the apartments, the Shishi interior design shop, and the 180° restaurant, which run by Matthias Diether, who has a Michelin star, are now.
Icebreaker named the Suur Toll.
The Suur Toll, which was the largest steam-powered icebreaker ever constructed prior to World War I, has been meticulously preserved (barely, as it arrived in Tallinn in July 1914). A remarkable collection of Swedish cast iron cannons dating back to the 18th century is located close to where the 75-meter boat is moored at the seaplane harbour at Lennusadam. It is possible to cross the Suur Toll Bridge without purchasing a ticket, but the locals strongly advise against doing so.
Bronze Soldier Statue
The Bronze Soldier, which was created in 1947 by the sculptor Enn Roos and stood 6.5 feet tall, is at the center of a political controversy that is much larger than the statue itself. There were riots in 2007 among Estonia’s large Russian-speaking minority just before the Estonian government decided to relocate this statue from a central downtown location to the Tallinn Military Cemetery. The statue honors fallen Soviet Red Army soldiers of World War II. Action movie fans of the 1980s may argue about whether or not the monument most closely resembles Arnold Schwarzenegger or Dolph Lundgren while quietly observing it today in a peaceful setting.
Pudel Craft Beer Bar
Relaxing on the patio of this homely bar, which welcomes four-legged guests and is credited with playing a role in the rise of the popularity of craft beer in Estonia, is a favorite activity for patrons who favor microbreweries. It has more than ten different kinds of beers on tap, and it is located in the Telliskivi neighborhood, which is known for its creative and industrial vibe. Sip Estonian favorites like Kolk Nakk, a passion fruit witbier.
