Hello friends. In my previous post I shared my walk through Tallinn's old town, mentioning historic sites like Kolm Õde, the Tallinn City Archive and the Kuldjala Tower, as well as a vibrant exhibition featuring Estonian designs with colorful carpets and ceramics. In this post I want to talk about the impressive places I encountered on Toompea Hill.
After strolling through the old town for a while I headed to an observation terrace. From this terrace called Patkuli, stunning views of Tallinn unfolded. There were street musicians performing and the atmosphere was as delightful as the view. Everyone visiting Tallinn should see this place. I also saw more seagulls here than I ever had recently.
Right next to it there were a few abandoned buildings. I wondered why they were left in such a state. They could be put to good use. They could turn this area into a major attraction for Tallinn, perhaps a hotel, restaurant or café. The abandoned buildings were in quite poor condition.
Adjacent to the observation terrace, there was another impressive building on Toompea Hill. This is the Stenbock House the government building of Estonia. The building was constructed in the 18th century. What a wonderful building. Everyone had left and I felt as if I had the entire terrace to myself. I didn't want to leave. It is beautiful at all times in winter, summer, spring and autumn.
The medieval atmosphere in Tallinn is still very strong. The city’s history is divided into two parts: the upper town and the lower town, each with its own autonomy. The city has been largely preserved from wars and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for its medieval architecture.
Curious, I examined the government building. There is easy access to the building’s backyard. There were no police or vehicles around. Estonia is advanced in this regard. Even in Riga you wouldn’t encounter such a situation. In some other countries you can’t even approach such buildings within a kilometer.
The sound of church bells was heard. Nearby was St. Mary's Cathedral. Located on Toompea Hill this cathedral was built by the Danes in the 13th century and is the oldest church in Tallinn. Initially Catholic, it later became a Lutheran church and is now part of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. As the only building to survive a great fire, it is an important cultural monument and houses the graves of many historical figures.
Another impressive building nearby was the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, built during the time when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. It is Tallinn’s largest cupola church.
I came across a group of Danish tourists at the top of the hill. They were exploring the area with a guide. Denmark's influence in Tallinn began when King Valdemar II of Denmark captured the city in 1219. The Danes spread Christianity by building churches like St. Mary's Cathedral, constructed defensive structures and established the city as a trading hub.
The Danish King's Garden is a historic park located on Toompea Hill in Tallinn. This park is known as the site where King Valdemar II conquered Tallinn. Legend has it that the Danish flag descended from the sky in this garden symbolizing victory. The garden features statues of Danish knights, adding a historic ambiance. The ghostly figures in the park reflect the dark and mystical atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
Feeling hungry and a bit chilly I decided to stop by a nearby pub. I ordered a crepe with cherry and coconut cream. The crepes were fantastic. I enjoy both sweet and savory varieties.
After descending from the hill, I wandered around the old town for a while longer. It was a wonderful day and I didn’t want to leave this place. As I bid farewell to the old town, I thought I must return as soon as possible.