Tallinn

I decided I should tick off another capital city from my list of European capitals to visit (a list which has got considerably larger from when I started due to the break up of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union) by taking the hydrofoil to Tallinn, capital of Estonia.


What a good decision. I loved Tallinn. No, I ADORED Tallinn.

It, or at least its centre, is a wonderfully preserved medieval city. Its a UNESCO world heritage site and has clearly been well-restored in recent years. Yes its a bit touristy (as any hardened European traveller will tell you, there is no part of Europe so remote that it won't have a group of Japanese tourists in it desperately trying to photograph each other. I fully realised this when visiting a pretty unimpressive museum on Hadrian's Wall containing a single crude dummy dressed as a Roman soldier at which a coach party of Japanese duly turned up and politely lined up to have their photo taken with the mannequin.). But its very beautiful and its not too hard to escape the parties being led by guides waving their numbered paddles in the air to gather their group before yet another historic monument.

Its also really good value with prices about half those in Helsinki (well using my slightly unbalanced basket of goods consisting of ice-creams and museum entrance fees).

So, we start in the Town Hall Square, with the 15th century town hall.

For a quirky place to visit, there is the House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads. Its a 16th century house now used as a concert venue, of all sorts from classical recitals in the grand parts to jazz club in the basement.

Of course there are churches galore. The Church of the Holy Ghost for example.

St Olave's Church is rather more impressive, and you can with effort (a lot of effort. A lot.) climb up the old stone spiral staircase to the church roof, providing marvellous views across the city.

But the most striking feature of the City is the City walls, and especially the numerous odd shaped towers.

The St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Rather showy and in a prominent position.

 Then there is Toompea Castle, which doesn't look much like a castle as it was extended in the 18th century to house the government.

Finally plaudits for the Estonian History Museum. A lovely museum. With sod all in it. But for presentation it gets 10 out of 10. Like putting some rather dull artefacts in these goldfish bowls on stands.

Ok then, to finish some miscellaneous shots taken just wandering around the streets.