Tallinn revisited

Tallinn in late May 2018 was an unexpected and spontaneous trip for me.

My niece told me in April that she was going to visit the Baltic countries via Helsinki and asked me to join her. Of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, British Airways only flies to Tallinn, so we arranged to meet there to travel to Riga together for a few days (see separate post)

I had been to Tallinn on a day trip when in Helsinki for a week in 2011 with my daughter. However we only had time to climb up St Olaf’s church tower and have lunch at the old town square.

This time around, although I stayed only one night in Tallinn, my early flight and the long daylight hours enabled me to revisit the old favourites and seek out the sights that I previously missed.

Kadriorg Palace and Park

My niece and I took tram Number 3 from just outside the Old Town to the final stop Kadriorg. A short walk past the park on a tree-lined avenue took us to the palace museum.

It was about 14.30 when we got there. There were not a lot of people around so we had a leisurely stroll around the grounds to admire the beautiful exterior of the palace. It didn’t take long for us to walk back to the Old Town afterwards

Kadriorg Park and the tree-lined avenue from the tram stop to the palace

Tallinn Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the skylines of Tallinn are dominated by towers

The tower of St. Nicholas’ Church

Town Hall Tower

St Olaf’s Church Tower 

I was drawn to St Olaf’s church tower like a bee to honey this time as was the last.

I had quite forgotten the 230 odd steps of winding staircase to climb up or that I was 7 years younger then!  But the 360-degree views from the top were well worth the entrance fee of €3 and the efforts to get there! My niece had been there the day before but did it again with me, bless her!

Tallinn City Wall defence towers can be seen everywhere. This is Viru Gate, gateway to the Old Town 

Just before passing through this gate there was a row of flower shops, which was really charming!!

 

 Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) 

The picturesque streets in the Old Town

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral reminded me so much of Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow with its onion-domed tops. It’s an imposing sight upfront and from afar

Just opposite the cathedral stood the Parliament of Estonia in its pale pink glory! 

Finally – got the fridge magnet