The Baltic States: Tallinn

My last stop in the Baltics was Tallinn. A 4-hour bus ride from Riga, Tallinn has one of the best well-preserved Old Medieval Towns in the world. I stayed at a Fat Margaret's hostel which is less than 2 minutes walk to the gate of Tallinn's Old Town. It is an old house with steps that squeak as I walked up to my room on the second floor. The sky was already dark by 3PM as I ventured out to Old Town. I was impressed with it. 

The fortified walls and towers with cobblestones streets and narrow lanes within the medieval houses is a joy to walk. I think Tallinn is the best among the three capitals in the Baltics. Since it is so close to Helsinki, the city gives a modern European vibes to the city as well as an old European charm to it. Once I'm outside the Old Town, the city is filled with modern buildings and shops.

The Kohtuotsa viewing platform situated on top of Toompea hill has a beautiful view of the Medieval neighborhood against the backdrop of the city's modern district. I was told that the platform is the most famous picture point by the tour guide. The tour took me to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral which is the main Russian Orthodox cathedral. This onion-domed structure is richly decorated to symbolize the Russian dominance in Estonia. The cathedral does hold marriage ceremony but it would never closed to the public. Thus, the wedding couple may have a hard time knowing who their guests really are during the ceremony as people would come and go at any time. 

The Freedom Square has an interesting story too. The Monument to the War of Independence is constructed to commemorate all those who had fought for freedom and independence. It consists of glass plates and a Czech Republic company was awarded to build the monument. Unfortunately, the monument was poorly done that a court case was filed against the company. Finally, the company had to return 600,000 Euro to the city of Tallinn in early 2014. The monument is brightly lit at night, and it stands directly opposite St John's Church, a Lutheran parish church contrasting the new and the old in the city.

Rotermann Quarter is a collection of dilapidated buildings some years ago, and they are now turning into commercial and cultural center with a taste of avant-garde architecture. The place is home to local designers, as well as Kalev, probably the best-known chocolate brand in Estonia.