Estonia

Tartu

The oldest in Baltic States. Tartu is a university town.

Narva

Different nations and cultures are interwoven here - primeval Estonian town with a Russian soul. A diverse military history has marked Narva - it has been a fortress town, ruled over by Danes, Germans, Swedes, Russians and Estonians. Narva is the only place, where two warring cultures were so close to one another - the 14th - 17th century Germanic Order castle with bastions and defensive walls and 15th century Russian fortress face each other, only an arrow flight away across the river. In 1700 the Battle of Narva started the historic Great Northern War, which changed the destiny not only to Narva but the whole of Europe.

Presently Narva is the 3rd largest city in Estonia.

Narva Castle is the most visited site in Narva. Tall Hermann, the main tower of Narva Castle is the iconic symbol of Narva. The Castle was built in a convent style consisting of four wings, which surround the courtyard and are fortified from the outside.

The Alexander Church is a Lutheran church, built between 1881 and 1884 and named after the Russian emperor Alexander the Second (architect Otto Pius Hippius from St. Petersburg). In the 19th century some 5000 Lutherans worked at Kreenholm Manufacture and the church had to seat them all. The Church bell tower is 61 metres tall.

The Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral building was started in 1873, when Krenholm Manufacture donated 500 000 roubles. The foundation stone was set by the Russian emperor Alexander the Third and the Cathedrals' architectural style is based on Byzantine traditions. Local red and yellow bricks are combined with Finnish granite for a beautiful effect (architect Pavel Alish). The Cathedral seats up to 2000 people and the gilded Icons in three parts are extremely unique as much appreciated in Estonia as in Russia. In the battles of 1944, most of Narva was destroyed, but the Cathedrals' wooden crucifix, Saint Nicolai and Mother of God original icons miraculously survived.

Narta Town Hall is designed by the architect Georg Teuffel in the 17th Century, combines German, Swedish and even Italian influences in the Northern Baroque style. The building features Narva's further development during the Swedish reign.

The Swedish Lion - this monument Karl XII's victory in the Narva battle of 1700 in the Great Northern War. The monument was presented to Narva by the Swedes, the lion being an exact copy of the monument in front of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. It was inaugurated in 2000 to celebrate the 300 year anniversary of the battle.

(source: Narva and Narva-Jõesuu guide book)

Tallinn

Haapsalu

is formed in 1279 and it is the oldest resort town in Estonia and it is famous for its curative sea mud.   

Parnu

City is itself was established 1251 and became one of the rich vibrant Hanseatic cities during medieval period.

Town Hall