The final stage of Tour of Estonia 2023 was run like last year - on a 10.3 km long Tartu city loop, which had to be completed for 16 times (164.8 km). On the last lap, the Dane Rasmus Bøgh Wallin showed his streng...

Filippo Fortin, pedalling for the German team Maloja Pushbikers, won the Tour of Estonia Tallinn-Tartu stage held today. Second place went to Estonian Markus Pajur (Team Tartu2024) and the runner-up was Dutchman R...

Tour of Estonia 2023 which kicks off tomorrow in Tallinn is extra special as it marks the event's 10th anniversary.

Tallinn is the oldest capital city in Northern Europe with a population of almost 420,000. The city’s Old Town center boasts a beautifully-preserved medieval character that was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997.

Despite being one of the world’s least religious countries, Tallinn is home to a diverse range of religious architecture representing a cross-section of denominations. Among the inspiring edifices are the spire of 13th century St. Olav’s (Oleviste), the tallest building in the world from 1549 to 1625; the 13th century St. Nicholas’ Church (Niguliste), which is home to an extensive art collection, including a painting by Bernt Notke: “Dance Macabre” (Dance of Death), with an estimated value over billion dollars; and the 1900 onion-domed Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

At the heart of Old Town is the Town Hall Square, known as Raekoja plats. An immense cobble-stoned expanse, it is lined with historic buildings in sherbet shades of raspberry, lemon and mint and lively outdoor cafes. Anchoring one side of the plaza is the Town Hall, the only intact Gothic town hall in Northern Europe and now a museum and concert hall.

Wandering among the maze-likes alleys, you’ll find hidden courtyards, charming cul-de-sacs and more than 25 art galleries. Looming over the city is Toompea Castle, which dates to the 10th century. Thecity’s ancient walls feature 26 watch towers, including one known as “Fat Margaret.”

 

More info: visitestonia.com.

 

 

                                                                                                                                            

With a history that dates to 1030, Tartu is one of the oldest communities in the Baltic States, as well as Estonia’s second largest city with approximately 100 000 inhabitants. The gateway to Southern Estonia, Tartu is home to a medieval Hanseatic trade center and a modern university city renowned for its scientific achievements. It is the cradle of the Estonian Song Festival, Estonian Theatre and the Estonian State.

 

Tartu’s elegant Town Hall Square in lined with classical buildings is pastel shades and al fresco cafes. The cobblestoned plaza has long been a gathering spot for citizens and visitors, particularly the city’s large student population. Forty percent of Tartu’s residents are connected with Tartu University. In recognition of this youthful spirit, in 1998 a sculpture of two kissing students was erected in front of the city’s Town Hall.

 

                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Tartu University is one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe, founded in 1632 by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden during the era that Estonia was ruled by Sweden. Tartu University has produced many eminent scientists and scholars of international repute such as Baltic German biologist Karl Ernst von Baer and famous Russian semiotician and culturologist Juri Lotman.

 

Walking around in Tartu old town one should step in to Tartu Toy Museum which transports its adult visitors back to their most joyous childhood days and offers children plenty to see and do. The permanent exhibit displays toys that children in Estonia have played with throughout the ages. The museum also has play and workshop rooms.

 

The alley next to Aura Water Center is the ‘base’ in Tartu of Tour of Estonia. The Aura Centre was opened on 1 October 2001. There pool, water park, health club, saunas, light therapy centre, V-salon, Cafe and during summer also a sun terrace.

 

Families with children will have a great time at the AHHAA science centre – the biggest of its kind in the Baltic States – which has attractions for the young and old alike. The purpose of AHHAA is to introduce science to everyone.

Science and history merge and come alive on Tartu’s waterways.  Visitors can experience the area as long-ago inhabitants did by cruising on Emajõgi River, Lake Võrtsjärv, and Lake Peipsi on an Emajõe-Peipsi barge, a unique wooden trading vessel. In Estonia Peipsi barges have sailed the inland bodies of water for more than 600 years, from the 14^th century until the middle of the 20th century. The Nature Bargetrips are meant to educate people about the nature in the areas that are inaccessible by land, with trips taking place from spring to autumn.

 

More info: visittartu.com.