information

Republic

Capital: Talinn

Surface area: 43 700 km2

Population: 1,3 millions

Population/km2: 30

Member of the EU since 2004

National day: 24 February

National anthem: Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room (My homeland, my pride and joy)

• Nearly 70% of the population lives in cities

• The Estonian flag was adopted in September 1881 by students from the University of Tartu

• The Estonians have never had their own king

• Beginning 1988, protest movements, in particular during song festivals, which gave it the name the "singing revolution", lead to independence in 1991

• Estonian is a Finno-Ugrian language with 32 letters, 14 declensions per word and a  three-level quantitative system: one, two or several

• Estonia was an independent state between 1918 and 1940 before regaining its independence in August 1991

• The Baltic Sea is the youngest sea on the planet and was formed by the melting of the snows in Scandinavia

• On the 23rd of August in 1989, 6 million people joined their hands to create a human chain from Tallinn to Riga and Vilnius to declare their idependence

Tallinn

Talinn "city of the Danes" has had this name since it was conquered by te Danish King Valdemar II in 1219. The large seaport (rebuilt in 1529) and the cannon tower, called the fat Margareta, are part of a superb and well-preserved section of the 4km-long ancient medieval enclosing wall. In this time, Talinn, like Bruges and Lubeck, belonged to the Hanseatic League and was an important stopover on the way to Russia. The exceptional medieval character of Talinn has been recognised by UNESCO.

From the airport
Bus. Bus 2 goes to the centre with two or three services every hour Monday-Friday, and one or two on at weekend. 

Naive Estonian surrealism with a dash of Zen anyone? Navitrolla Gallery is an unusual place to browse for a couple of hours.

Kodukasitoo has supported local artisans since 1927 and you can pick up beautifully hand-made souvenirs at one of its shops.

August is the perfect time for a picnic. Choice spots include Harjumagi (off Vabaduse Square), the park off Niguliste and Harju streets and Pirita (by the sea).

Estonia has a very cold winter and with average temperatures of average -11C, February is the chilliest time of the year. It is wise to check the weather and be prepared before going out.

In the 16th century, Tallinn's defence system was one of the most powerful in northern Europe. The town wall was an impressive three metres thick, 16 metres high, four kilometres long and included 46 towers. Today, the remaining two kilometres of wall and 26 towers are still notto be missed.

Day trip
Rakvere. An hour from Tallinn, this town's castle functions as a medieval theme park with its own torture chamber, display of weaponry, wine cellar ans castle inn. And you can recover from all the medieval stuff at the newest spa in Estonia, next to the castle. 
Trip skating. For a different winter activity, try trip skating along Estonia's coastline which teems with bays and islands.

Tallinn is one of the most connected cities in Europe with (generally free) WiFi access throughout the city. It is also the home of internet telephone service, Skype. 

La vieille ville