One of the best places to buy Estonian handicrafts is at St.Martin's Fair. Each year the event runs for three days at Tallinn's Saku SuurHall. Many wonderful Estonian handmade goods can be found here as well as traditional Estonian food, folk music, demonstrations and workshops. I've been to the fair and I was really impressed. The event will take place from 9 - 11 November 2023. More information can be found on the Mardilaat website.
In the 13th century Tallinn was a thriving Hanseatic trading centre where merchants and nobles from all across Europe came to do business. During those medieval times many stone building were constructed and still stand today, some 500 years later. Many of those buildings have been renovated and converted into hotels to enable us to step back in time and enjoy a bit of history.
Here are five of the best heritage hotels in Tallinn.
Schlössle Hotel
A former merchant's house located in the Old Town, the Schlössle Hotel has been beautifully restored retaining many of its orginal features. It has elegantly appointed bedrooms and public areas, all combined with the latest technology and comfort.
Telegraaf Hotel
The Telegraaf Hotel is considered the most luxurious five-star hotel in Tallinn. The historic building was constructed in 1878 and was formerly a post office. During World War II, the building served as the main hub for telegraph communications, so when it became a hotel, it was named the Telegraaf Hotel to commemorate its rich history.
The Three Sisters Hotel
The Three Sisters Hotel comprises three former merchant houses that were renovated and united in 2003 to create this luxury boutique hotel. The buildings date back to 1362 and are located on Pikk Street, which was Tallinn's main artery of commerce during the Middle Ages.
Hotel Barons
A truly charming hotel located in the heart of Old Town, Hotel Barons is set within two buildings, the first dating back to the 15th century and the second a former bank building. This hotel has retained many of its classic art nouveau features which make for a very pleasant stay. All rooms are comfortable and stylish and within walking distance of Tallinn's main attractions.
It always great to see these old images of Tallinn. It's such a beautful city.
After reading the ERR news story about Uku Suviste discovering he has some cousins who are also singers, it prompted me to do a search on Geni.com and I found that I am related to Uku too. We are 6th cousins. My grandmother, whose family comes from Võru, is related to Uku's mother Heli. Now I realise why I liked his Eurovision entry so much, great lyrics, writing must be in the genes!
Each year the team at PiparkoogiMaania / Gingerbread Mania create a fantastic display of gingerbread art. Around 100 Estonian artists contribute to the exhibition that is one of the most popular events in Tallinn during the Christmas period. This year's theme is 'Film' and the exhibition will run from 1st December 2023 until 7th January 2024.
A new drama series has recently been filmed in Estonia featuring Estonian poet Juhan Liiv as the main character. Set in the late 1800s, the well-read and modern-thinking Liiv forms a partnership with Peeter, a village policeman and veteran of the Russo-Turkish war, and together they solves crimes. Peeter makes use of the poet’s sharp senses to solve crimes too complex for his own simple logic. In the series Liiv becomes our eyes and ears to the curious habits of hygiene, sex, violence, superstition and social hierarchies of that era.
Storyline:
Juhan Liiv, an aspiring poet, is haunted by personal tragedy and professional misfortune. The over-sensitive young man is beginning to suffer with mental illness. He escapes the harsh city life and heads towards his parents’ poor farmstead in the countryside. Against his will, Juhan gets drawn into several dangerous adventures. He becomes an unlikely detective helping to solve gruesome crimes.
The series takes us back to the time of the multi-cultural Russian Empire. The local population of Estonia is caught between two mighty powers. Nominally under Russian rule, and by the iron-fisted German nobility that has governed the Baltic region since medieval times. Bloody revolutions and wars of the early 20th century lay still in the future, but the conflict is brewing and the cracks of the dysfunctional empire are beginning to show. Ancient ways of life, unchanged for generations, have to give in to confusing developments in politics, industry, science and crime.
The release date of the series has yet to be confirmed.
Modern living has its advantages but also its drawbacks. One disadvantage of living in a densely populated urban area is pollution, including light pollution. Astronomy enthusiasts often bemoan the light pollution which makes it impossible to fully appreciate the night sky in all its beauty.
Fortunately in Estonia, the situation is not as bad as it is in other countries. With its extremely low population density and vast forests, Estonia offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the splendour of the night sky.
The island of Hiiumaa is the least lightpolluted area in Estonia. It's a great place for astrophotography.
Other places in Estonia that has good visability for stargazing include:
1. Tõravere Observatory: Located near Tartu, the Tõravere Observatory offers regular stargazing events and workshops, as well as access to its telescopes and other equipment.
2. Lake Peipsi: Estonia's largest lake with its clear freshwater, is a great location for viewing stars under the dark sky.
3. Virtsu: Virtsu is a small coastal village on the west coast of Estonia, and it offers some of the darkest skies in the country. The nearby Virtsu Observatory is also a great place for stargazing.
It's important to note that stargazing is best on a crisp, clear winters night when the moon is in the crescent or gibbous phase. During the summer transparency is not the best due to humidity, dust and clouds.
Erna Augustine Mandel (1904 -1942) was an Estonian poet from Tallinn who wrote under the pseudonym Virve Rännang. Here is one of her poems Olge Tervitet that was published in the Päewaleht newspaper in 1931.
The UK's Guardian newspaper recently published an article about Paul Keres, Estonia's greatest chess player. Paul Keres was a national hero and his image has been immortalised on stamps, coins and banknotes.
You can read the full article here.
Estonians arrived on the west coast of Australia long before Captain James Cook landed at Botany Bay in 1770. As history reveals, Estonian sailors were onboard the three ship expedition led by Dutch sea captain Willem de Vlamingh (1640-1698) in 1696-97. Two of the Estonian sailors were from Tallinn, one from Tartu and one from Southern Estonia.
The coloured engraving above depicts Willem de Vlamingh's ships with Estonians at the entrance to Swan River in Western Australia from the de Vlaminghi expeditions in 1696-1697.
Archaeologists from the University of Tartu have discovered that textiles worn during the early medieval period in Estonia were predominantly "blackish-blue" in colour. The popular blue hue was achieved by using imported compounds and the dark-purple shade was added to it through a mixing of native plants. The majority of medieval clothing found in Estonia comes from women's burial sites.
Artefacts found in Estonia from the 11th up until the 15th century reveal that the blackish blue was a fashionable colour during that period and it was certainly the most popular colour worn for festive occasions.
Whenever I visit Estonia there are three main things I like to do - 1) eat Estonian food, 2) buy Estonian products and 3) take photographs.
There are many interesting landmarks in Estonia that make great photo opportunties. They are usually culturally and historically significant in some way and finding them is a great way to learn more about Estonia and its past. Here are eleven of Estonia's best statues and monuments.
1. Freedom monument in Tallinn
2. Sculpture Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde in Tartu
Two great writers born three years apart, the sculptures depict what could have been a very witty conversation.
3. Monument to Kristjan Jaak Peterson in Tartu
Kristjan Jaak Peterson (14 March 1801 – 4 August 1822) was an Estonian writer who is considered to be the founder of Estonian national literature. He studied at the University of Tartu and on his birthday, 14 March, Mother Tongue Day (Language Day) is celebrated in Estonia.
4. Suur Toll and Piret sculpture in Saaremaa
Statue of mythological hero, Suur Toll and his wife Piret in Kuressaare. The sculpture was created by renowned Estonian sculptor Tauno Kangro in 2002.
5. Father and Son Sculpture in Tartu
6. Monument in memory of the WWII refugees in Puise
7. Anton Hansen Taamsaare monument in Tallinn
Anton Hansen Tammsaare (1878-1940) was one of Estonia's most beloved authors. He used to enjoy visiting the former New Market in Tallinn to observe people. The monument is located in Tammsaare Park where the New Market once stood.
8. Paul Keres monument in Narva
Paul Keres was Estonia's greatest chess player. The grandmaster was born in Narva in 1916 and this monument was made to commemorate his 100th birthday.
9. Statue of Peter Carl Faberge in Pärnu
The famous jeweller was born in Pärnu in 1915 and this bronze statue was erected in his hometown to mark his 100th birthday.
10 The Memorial to the Victims of the Estonia Disaster in Hiiumaa
The sinking of MS Estonia on the 28th of September 1994 was one of the worst peacetime martime disasters in history. 852 people lost their lives during the voyage from Tallinn to Stockholm. The bronze bell monument is a memorial to the victims and rings by itself during strong winds.
11. Onnelik Korstnapuhkija - The Happy Chimney Sweep in Tallinn
Located in Tallinn's Old Town near Karja Gate Square, the happy chimney sweep is believed to bring good luck if you meet him and even more so if you rub his buttons.
