After half a century of brutal Soviet occupation, Russian troops finally left Estonia on 31 August 1994. On this day World War II officially ended for Estonia when the last occupying Russian military forces left Estonian soil. It was a day of great celebration for Estonians all around the world.
A new coin featuring Hiiumaa's Kõpu Lighthouse will be released by the Bank of Estonia next year. The coin will be part of a new series 'Counties of Estonia'. The new two euro coin series will highlight the variety and cultural uniqueness of the different regions in Estonia.
The coin for Hiiumaa will be the first in the series and depicts Kõpu Lighthouse which is one of the oldest still operating lighthouses in the World. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1504 and was completed in 1531. Hiiumaa is known for its unique landscapes and long maritime traditions.
Kaupo Kangro designed the coin and one million coins will go into circulation next year.
Fun facts:
World's Oldest Operating Lighthouses
1. Tower of Hercules (A Coruña, Spain) Built in the 1st century AD by the Roman Empire.
2. Hook Lighthouse (County Wexford, Ireland) Built around 1210 to 1245.
3. Kõpu Lighthouse (Hiiumaa, Estonia) Functioning continuously since 1531.
4. Lantern of Genoa (Genoa, Italy) The current towering stone structure was built in 1543 (replacing earlier versions on the same site dating back to 1128) and remains a functioning beacon and symbol of the port city.
5. Cordouan Lighthouse (Gironde estuary, France) Known as the "King of Lighthouses," construction began in 1584 and finished in 1611.
While Estonia's Restoration of Independence Day officially fell on Thursday, August 20 this year, many cultural events and community gatherings took place on the weekend for the Estonian diaspora. The iconic Vana Tallinn liqueur that was created in Estonia in 1960 is very popular drink amongst Estonians living at home and abroad during times of celebration.
Estonia has been voted the best country to relocate to according to Time Out magazine. The index scores 192 countries and territories across 24 different metrics, covering everything from the cost of living, to tax structures, health, safety, and how easy it is to actually make friends.
Tallinn’s Old Town contains some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in Northern Europe. Many of these buildings were constructed during the 13th - 16th centuries and still stand today. No trip to Tallinn is complete without visiting these historic landmarks.
1. St. Catherine's Dominican Monastery. The Dominican monastery is known to have existed at the site since at least 1246. The remains of this 13th-century friary include the walls of the church and the cloister. Visitors can wander the medieval cloisters and courtyards, known as the Claustrum. Throughout the Middle Ages, the monastery was renowned for its scholarship and the monastery also had a brewery that produced four types of beer.
2. Tallinn Dome Church (St. Mary's Cathedral). Located on Toompea Hill, this is the oldest church in Tallinn and mainland Estonia. The church was founded in the year 1219.
3. St. Nicholas' Church (Niguliste Museum). Dating back to the mid-13th century (c. 1250–1275), this former Gothic church was originally built as a fortress-church by merchants from Gotland. This Gothic structure is one of the oldest buildings in Tallinn. Today, the building operates as a museum showcasing medieval ecclesiastical art, including the famous Dance Macabre by Bernt Notke.
4. Tallinn Town Hall. Located in the heart of the Old Town, Tallinn's Town Hall was first mentioned in real estate records in the year 1322. It's the oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe.
5. The Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek) is one of the most famous historic sites in Tallinn. It has been continuously operating in the same building on the Town Hall Square since 1422, making it the oldest continuously running pharmacy in Europe.
