Tallinn, Estonia
I knew very little of Tallinn before my trip. I took a ferry from Helsinki and then a taxi to where I was staying in the Medieval Old Town. This is where I spent most of my time - I love old buildings!
Town Hall Square
I stayed in a hotel apartment right on Town Hall Square. There are a lot of restaurants with outside seating and many sights within walking distance. There was a handcraft market and performances of singing and dancing by local ethnic groups one of the days I was there.
Defense Wall
This is part of the defense wall around Old Town. The walls were origianally built in the 1200s and expanded in the 1300s through the 1500s. This is the Kuldjala (Golden Leg) Tower.
St. Nicholas Church
There are two St. Nicholas Churches in Tallinn. This one is a medieval church that is now used as a concert hall and branch of the Art Museum of Estonia. The day I was there, there was a concert of folk singing. The church dates back to the 1200s but was severely damaged in 1944 by Soviet bombing. This is the High Altar by Hermen Rode made between 1478–1481. Paintings on the outer flanks of this double-winged altar depict the life of Saint Nicholas, the central part and the unfolded wings expose over thirty wooden sculptures forming the gallery of saints.
Black Angus
My traveling companion, Curious George, a gift from my Mom. George has pins from all the countries he has visited with me. His friend is Black Angus in front of the Goodwin Steak House. In the background are the two towers of the Viru Gate built in the 1300s.