To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first book written in the Estonia language, the National Archives of Estonia have opened its library doors to allow visitors to come and view rare old books.
Book lovers will be in for a treat when they visit the archive building that is located at Nooruse 3 in Tartu. On display are many rare and unique prints, including the oldest Tallinn-themed Estonian case poem. The poem is an eight-page funeral print
published in memory of Niguliste pastor Gotthard von Renteln
(1632-1670). It is believed to have been published sometime between 1670 - 1671. The poem is bound within a
1566-page volume, and the sole copy of this book exists only in National Archives
library. The block-cut red leather cover has been restored by the archive conservators.
More information about the National Archives of Estonia can be found here.
