Tartu guided tour and then off to Tallin

Kadri our Airbnb host allowed us a late check out which enabled us to keep the car in the garage while we did an early morning Guru Walk. Parking on the street can be tricky. Lots of parking fines are handed out.

We met Stanislav at the Monument of Johan Valdemere Jansen on the other side of the river. He was the man who started the famous Music and Dance Festival in Tartu in 1879. His daughter Lydja , since childhood, wrote meaningful and peaceful music using the lyrics from her poetry. Both the festival and songs are loved by Estonians. It started as a means to unite an isolated population of people.

All the rebuilding after the bombing in WW11 has taken place on the university side of the river , whilst the other side of the river is very bleak.

Tartu was nominated as the Cultural Capital of Europe 2024. This was awarded after a 5 year application process which proved all the infrastructure improvements promised were actually done to enhance cultural activities of the university city. The university was started in 1600’s under the rule of the Swedes. When the Russians gained controlled they continued to build and expand it. All the powers in northern Europe wanted a centre of learning other than the well established classical university cities. Tartu was chosen as the midpoint between Riga and Tallinn.

The old cathedral on Toomemagi hill was started in 1200’s. It also had a castle and walls around the whole thing. The castle is completely gone. No ruins at all. Invaders over the years tried to knock it down with the most damage done by Ivan the Terrible in 1577. Nothing has really changed since then other than some strengthening of the walls etc. It is however a beautiful ruin with rich green grass growing all throughout.

Quick lunch at the Indian with the largest naan I’ve ever soon. Other than that it wasn’t very good. Off to Tallinn now.

We arrived late so just went to our closest restaurant , the Garden Cafe where a lovely man served us, let us taste his beers and Italian Rose , then he went into the kitchen to start cooking our simple but delicious meals. It was a great day despite both of us having colds.Read more