Estonia - Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia...The old town of Tallinn dates from the 13th century and has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is so well preserved. The city wall is mainly intact, the cobblestone streets and buildings have been little changed over the years. The city, without any real planning, has somehow managed to evolve without razing buildings, without widening streets, and in general, without changing the medieval feel of the place. All it would take is for the citizens of the town to wear period costumes and you would be transported to the 15th century better than any renaissance fair could ever do.

Upon disembarkation, we took a cab from the port to the square in the upper old town and started walking leisurely downhill through the cobblestone streets. The old town in Tallinn is still divided into Lower Town and Upper Town. While the buildings in the Lower Town date back to the Middle Ages, the Upper Town was completely destroyed by a fire in 1684 when all the wooden structures burned down. Traditionally, the Upper Town was inhabited by the German aristocracy and the Lower Town by burghers ad artisans.

Toompea Hills is named after the cathedral located on it (in German "Domberg" or "Cathedral Hill". The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin was mentioned in chronicles in 1233. It is the oldest church in Estonia. Originally the German aristocracy used it; it was only in 1927 that an Estonian congregation was formed. After the fire of 1684 destroyed the church, the Swedish King ordered that it is built and even donated money for the purpose. The new church was completed in 1686. The best carpenters worked to built it. The pulpit and the frame of the altarpiece, decorated with woodcarvings, were made by the celebrated craftsman Christian Ackermann. The wooden sculptures on either side of the frame depict Apostle Peter (with a key in his hand) and Apostle Paul (with a sword).

Click on the link to read about the details of our Tallinn's adventure.
http://www.dynamitetravels.com/tallinn-estonia-medieval-town