Tourist Information for Tallinn

Wismari 6
Tallinn 10136
Telephone:
+372 667 4700
Out of Hours Emergency Contact Number:
+372 504 0204

The Baltic States are currently the most beautiful and exciting travel destinations in the world and is made up of 3 countries: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Estonia lies along the Baltic Sea, bordering Latvia and Russia, just below Finland and is distinguished by the thousands of sea islands (the other two Baltic states have none), which form one tenth of its total territory. Estonians have been living here since approximately 2,500 B.C, making them the longest settled people in Europe, but are still ranked amongst the smallest populated countries in the world with density of only 30.2 people per sq. km.

This sparsely populated country has spectacular natural scenery; with majestic rolling hills, beautiful coastlines, sparkling lakes and well preserved forests. If you're longing for a weekend break getaway that will give you that buzz of discovering something new and untried, something exciting and magical, you need not travel outside mainstream Europe. You need only look towards Estonia, as it offers you an adventure you will never forget. All types of holiday breaks are available for Estonia, from walking & cycling tours to opera city breaks, historical Baltic tours, Christmas short breaks and many many more. The biggest destination in Estonia is the medieval capital, Tallinn and if you haven’t been there, you most certainly would have read about it. Everyone who goes to Tallinn falls in love with the city. It’s a perfect romantic short break city, with so many things to see and do. There are a plethora of museums, shops, restaurants and day excursions, to keep the most discerning traveler satisfied.

The history of Estonia like the other Baltic States has been a long struggle to maintain its independence and national integrity against the predatory instincts of its larger neighbours. But through the centuries of hardship and repression, the Estonian people have grown into a cultural rich nation with a bright and optimistic future ahead of them.

Estonia had first been established by the Finno-Ongrian tribes, who approximately made the first settlements around 2000BC. Due to Estonia's strategic location as a link between East and West, it has been constantly invaded through time. In 1219 the Danes led by King Waldemar II, conquered Northern Estonia and it is the reason why the capital is called Tallinn, as the name is derived from Taani linn (Danish city). Although there was a brief period where the capital was controlled by the ‘Brotherhood of Swords’ the Danes had power until the middle part of the 14th century. During this time, a network of streets formed inside the town wall, a fortress & Dome church was built on Toompea Hill and many defence buildings were erected. However, forced by difficulties in internal policy and lack of money, the King of Denmark decided to sell his Northern Estonian lands together with the capital to the German Order in 1346, who later sold the territory to the Livonian Order. Due to Tallinn’s strategic geographical positioning, its port was an important link between Western Europe & Russia and was a hub of trading activity.

Tallinn became a member of the Hanseatic League, formed by German and Scandinavian seafaring merchants to regulate tariffs & trade, provide common defence and to make sure ports were safely maintained. This new economic power boosted the artistic and cultural activity and saw its population grow to about 8000 people. Russia, Sweden, Poland and Denmark battled for superiority in the Northern part of the Baltic Sea in 1558-1583 during the Livonian War. The Swedish king Erik XIV took control in 1561 and eventually united the whole of Estonia with the Swedish Kingdom in 1625. During the Swedish period (1561-1710), Tallinn's trading success and wealth faded because of the long lasting wars. The big plague epidemic ravaged the town in 1602-1603 and the Great Fire of 1684 destroyed most of the buildings at Toompea, except the Dome Church. The Russians were determined, however, to secure a ‘window onto the Baltic’ for economic as well as strategic reasons. Estonia was duly acquired by the Russians from Sweden, at the Treaty of Nystadt, in 1721. Meanwhile, the Russians were hoping to push Sweden out of the Baltic, & it was Tsar Peter the Great who embarked on the Nordic War against Sweden. Following the Swedish King's defeat at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, Estonia became part of the Russian kingdom. The best part of the Tsarist Russian legacy can be seen in architecture.

Baroque palace and park in Kadriorg, built by the orders of Peter I, the Estonian provincial government building on Toompea and many churches, theatres, banks and schoolhouses date from this period. By the mid-19th century Tallinn was one of Russia's most important ports and was developing rapidly. Russia remained in control of Estonia until February 1918, when the Estonian Salvation Committee declared themselves independent of Russia. During the next two years the Estonians fought against German and Russian forces to secure the independence. It ended in 1920. Tallinn became the capital of the independent Republic of Estonia. The new state along with its Baltic neighbours, Lithuania and Latvia enjoyed just two decades of independent statehood before the Soviet Union took control under the 1939 Nazi-Soviet Pact. The first Soviet occupation lasted from 1940-41, followed by a three-year German occupation. Eventually, Russian forces re-entered the country in 1944, after which Estonia was constituted as one of the 15 Soviet Socialist Republics. Unrest in the other republics of the former Soviet Union was followed by demonstrations in Tallinn demanding independence.

Estonians call the period from 1988-1991 their 'Singing Revolution', as the spontaneous singing of national songs was an important part of the mass demonstrations. An estimated 300,000 attended one song gathering in Tallinn. On 20 August 1991, the Soviet Union agreed Estonia's independence & the following month the country joined the United Nations & began to consolidate its new-found nationhood, but Russian troops withdrew from the country only in 1994. Now on a firmer footing, Estonia joined NATO and the EU in May 2004. Today, Tallinn is the capital of one of the most rapidly developing economies in the Baltic Sea Region and is one of the finest holiday destinations of the world. Contact the Tallinn holidays travel specialist about short breaks or set tours in Estonia.