ESTLAND |
Rejsetid
ca. 1,5 time |
|
Rejser til EstlandDer hvor Dannebrog faldt ned...
|
Et besøg værd !
Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin
Established sometime before 1233 and repeatedly rebuilt since then, the church displays a mix of architectural styles. Its vaulted main body dates to the 14th century, while its Baroque tower was an addition from the late 1770s.
Historically this was the church of Estonia's elite German nobles, a fact that becomes clear once you step through the doors. The interior is filled with elaborate funereal coats of arms from the 17th to the 20th centuries as well as burial stones from the 13th to the 18th centuries. |
Bastion Tunnels
Like any respectable Medieval town, Tallinn has its share of underground passageways, particularly the defensive tunnel systems built in the 1600s during the time of Swedish rule. Back then attack was a constant worry, so city planners constructed high bastion walls around the outside of the fortified city. They also installed tunnels under the base of the walls so they could safely move soldiers and ammunition to where they were needed, not to mention spy on the enemy. As late as 2003, workers found a pentagonal system of limestone-lined tunnels dating to the end of the 17th century
|
Danish King's Garden
On the slopes of Toompea hill between the city wall and Lower Town is an open, garden-like area that happens to be the legendary birthplace of the Danish flag.
This place is called the Danish King's Garden because it was supposedly here that King Valdemar II of Denmark and his troops camped before conquering Toompea in 1219. A well-known legend both in Estonia and Denmark holds that the Danish flag, the Dannebrog, originated right here. According to the story, Valdemar's forces were losing their battle with the Estonians when suddenly the skies opened and a red flag with a white cross floated down from the heavens. Taking this as a holy sign, the Danes were spurred on to victory. |
KGB Museum
In Soviet times it was rumoured that the KGB had files on everyone and that they operated in the Viru Hotel. The latter rumour turned out to be true.
Those intrigued by the city's secret history can now take the guided tour at the KGB Museum on the 23rd floor of Sokos Hotel Viru continued to the second floor Currency bar. |