Tallinn
| Tallinn | |
| |
| Data | |
|---|---|
| County | Harju |
| Area | 158 km² |
| Population | 400,000 (12.08.2004) |
| Population Density | 2530 per square km |
| Altitude | 44 m above sea level |
| Location | 59° 26' North 24° 46' East |
| Postal Code | 15080 (City Centre) |
| City Council | Vana-Viru 12 15080 Tallinn |
| Homepage | http://www.tallinn.ee |
| infopunkt@tallinnlv.ee (mailto:infopunkt@tallinnlv.ee) | |
| Politics | |
| Mayor | Tõnis Palts [1] (http://www.tallinn.ee/est/linna_juhtimine/linnavalitsus/linnavalitsuse_liikmed/tonis_palts) |
| Map of Estonia | |
 Tallinn in Estonia | |
The city of Tallinn (also known by its German name Reval) is the capital city and main seaport of Estonia. It is located on Estonia's north coast to the Baltic Sea, 80 kilometres south of Helsinki.
| Contents |
Name "Tallinn"
Tallinn is known to some by its former name Reval. Other historical names are Koluvan, Lindanise, Lindanisa (Lindanäs), Revalia, Revel and Reveln.
The origin of the name is relatively unclear. It may have been derived from Estonian "Taani-linn" (meaning "Danish town") or from "talu linn" (meaning "farming town").
History
Historically, the city has been attacked, sacked, razed and pillaged on numerous occasions. It was the centre of the medieval salt-trade on which it grew rich and prosperous.
In addition to the native Estonian language (which is of the Finno-Ugric group, closely related to the Finnish language), both Russian and English are widely understood.
Although extensively bombed during the latter stages of World War II, much of the mediaeval old town still retains its charm. Tallinn Old Town became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997.
At the end of the 15th century the tower The Saint Olaf's Church got a new gothic tower which was 159 meters high. This was unique at this time - it was then without question one of the highest towers in Europe and most likely the highest building in the world. The tower is now (after rebuilding because of fire) 123 meters high.
Education
Tallinn is the location of Tallinn University of Technology, as well as of several other institutions of higher education and science, including:
- Tallinn Pedagogical University
- Estonian Academy of Music
- Estonian Academy of Art
- Estonian Academy of State Defence
- Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Institute of Theology
Sports
During the 1980 Summer Olympics, regatta was held in Tallinn. Many buildings like the Town Hall, Olympic Hotel, Post Office and regatta center were built for the olympics.
Population
The population is about 400,400 (2000), registered 387 224 (2003).
Population development:
1816: 12,000
1834: 15,300
1851: 24,000
1881: 45,900
1897: 58,800
1925: 119,800
1989: 500.000+
2000: 340,000
Transport
Airplane & car
Tallinn is served by an airport approximately 4 kilometres outside the city. There are train connections to Riga and to Moscow, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Tallinn is crossed by Via Baltica motorway to Poland.
Ferry
Several ferries connect Tallinn to
- Helsinki (Finland)
- Stockholm (Sweden)
- Ahvenanmaa (Finland)
- Saint Petersburg (Russia)
- Rostock (Germany)
Other
There is a recently initiated hourly helicopter service, vaunted as being the "fastest capital to capital link in the world". At 189 Euros one way it certainly is not the cheapest, although more modestly priced advance bookings for less than 50 Euros are available.
Tallinn is a major shopping center for Finns, who travel across the Gulf of Finland by high speed ferry. Owing to the extremely high consumption taxes in Finland, prices can be substantially lower than in Helsinki, inducing many Finnish shoppers to make single day trips, especially for health goods not covered by the Finnish social services (such as eyeglasses).
For the tourist
The old town walled town is the place to go. This contains many authentic buildings of great antiquity. These are mostly well kept or undergoing restoration. As the town is a set of ring defenses built around a hill, be prepared to hike and walk. The antique cobblestone paths are rough but have been improved with cut granite sidewalks for safe walking. On your way up you will pass through narrow approaches walled in for defensive purposes.
Shopping
For the tourist (such as might arrive on a cruise boat), the main shopping attraction are the numerous shops carrying high quality knit goods. Prices will vary, with stalls just inside the city wall offering the best values, with a better selection of higher quality goods available in the numerous small shops around town. Some of these are located in the basements of buildings on minor streets.
Dining
For dining in the old walled town there is a medieval alehouse that serves boar, elk and bear under authentic conditions - the only artificial light is candlelight. Many, however, feel that there is a Disneyesque, kitschy feeling about "ye olde Hansa" restaurants. The quality of restaurants varies, but superb fine dining on the European level - with prices in the range of $ 100 for a complete menu - includes the 1930s-style Gloria (http://www.gloria.ee/), the French-Estonian Bonaparte (http://www.bonaparte.ee/Viewer/page1.html), and the hip and chique Pegasus (http://www.restoranpegasus.ee/) that is also famous for its stand-up urinals in the Ladies Room.
Sites
A walking trip through old town past the City Hall and up the Toompea hill past several churches will take you to the seat of Estonian government, high atop Tallinn's central hill. Around the hill are views of both the old town within the walls and the modern urban area.
External links
- http://www.tallinn.ee (official)
- http://www.tallinn.info Photo gallery
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Categories: Capitals in Europe | Coastal cities | Estonia