Estonia turystyczna.pdf

TALLINN

The first written record of Estonia’s capital

dates back to 1154, making Tallinn the oldest

capital in Northern Europe. Being named the

European Capital of Culture 2011 is the culmination of its

colourful history. Today Tallinn is home to just over 400,000 people.

Tallinn’s Old Town is one of Europe’s best-preserved walled medieval

cities and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The focal point of the

Old Town is the 600 year old Town Hall in Town Hall Square. The

open observation platform at the top of the Town Hall’s slender tower,

topped by the iconic ‘Old Thomas’ weathervane, gives a wonderful

view of the cobblestone square below and the distinctive spires and

red roofs of the Old Town. ‘Old Thomas’ is also Tallinn’s most impor-

tant symbol and features in numerous legends.

But Tallinn is about much more than history. It is a place where many

different people meet, bringing with them a wonderful blend of mod-

ern cultures. The narrow winding streets and mysterious archways

exhibition traces the history of Estonian art since the 18th century

while temporary exhibits comprise both foreign and Estonian modern

and contemporary art.

A visit to the Song Festival grounds should not be missed by budding

culture vultures. Built in the middle of the 20th century, they are now

the home of the Song Festival which is featured on the UNESCO list

of intellectual heritage and perhaps Estonia’s best-known event. Every

five years thousands of singers, dancers and instrumentalists fill the

area under the distinctive arch. The song and dance festival, held in

July 2009, drew over 37,000 performers.

19th century and today attracts an international clientele seeking al-

leviation from a myriad of ailments by therapies that include massage,

mud, hydrotherapy and inhalation.

Pärnu County has a 242 km coastline and the city’s gently shelving

white sand beach, with its adjacent boardwalk, is a major draw for

summer visitors. The surrounding countryside attracts those seeking

active holidays with kayak trips on rivers and the sea, riding, fishing,

hunting trips, adventurous bog or canoe trips.

Lush green parks and a historic centre add to Pärnu’s appeal, as do its

first-rate museums and galleries, with colourful boutiques and shops

found in the Old Town. It’s still possible to see parts of the old medi-

eval city moat and the Tallinn Gate, built in 1690, and the Red Tower,

the last remnant of the 15th century citadel.

Cultural events take place in St. Elizabeth church, with its trademark

rooster, and in Pärnu Concert Hall. The city has a long tradition of

cultural events including an opera festival, a nude art exhibition and an

anthropological film festival.

Tallinn’s Town Hall Square

Fountain on Tartu’s Town Hall Square

Map

of Estonia

TARTU

Tartu is a university city in the heart of southern

Estonia. One of its many iconic images is the foun-

tain in Town Hall Square with its graceful statue of

students kissing under an umbrella. Two of the city’s great interna-

tional symbols are the main building of the University of Tartu and St.

John’s Church (Jaani kirik), first mentioned in historical annals in 1323

and housing around 1,000 well-preserved terracotta sculptures.

The University was founded by King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden in

1632 and today its 17,000 students add colour and life to this other-

wise tranquil city. Life sparked in the various lecture halls spills over to

the streets, parks and cafes where students, professors, artists, philoso-

phers and young Bohemian poets mingle with locals and tourists.

A focal point of the city is Toomemägi, the site of an ancient citadel

on the Emajõgi River. Today this fortress hill is a beautiful tree lined

English-style park that offers lovely views of Tartu below.

The park footpaths lead to the Tartu observatory and the red-brick ru-

ins of the Dome Church, once the largest cathedral in Eastern Europe

whose construction dates back to the second half of the 13th century.

Its restored choir building is now the home of the University of Tartu

Museum.

Aside from enjoying its narrow cobbled streets, colourful and historic

buildings, parks, bars and cafes, there are several museums in Tartu,

including a 19th century middle class citizen’s home, the University

and National Museum, the City Museum in a mansion, just across

the river from the Old Town, the lovely Toy Museum and even a KGB

Museum.

Also look out for Tartu’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the

Leaning House, built in the 1790’s partly on the old city walls, partly

on wooden piles, that collapsed, giving it it’s ‘lean’.

offset a modern and youthful side to the city. It is this blend of cul-

tures, ancient and modern that provides Tallinn’s alluring colour and

vibrancy.

Most tourists will find plenty to see in a fairly compact area around

Tallinn’s centre. Other major sights are only minutes away by car and

the passenger port and airport are approximately 15 minutes from

the centre.

Between the Old Town and the port is the Rotermann Quarter, an

area of centuries old, renovated industrial buildings now rubbing

shoulders with cutting edge, contemporary architecture. The Quarter

houses shops, boutiques, restaurants, offices and apartments and a

colourful farmers market where locals and tourists can buy fresh Es-

tonian produce.

The baroque Kadriorg palace, built by the Russian Tsar Peter the Great

in the 18th century, is the most outstanding landscaped park in Esto-

nia and is a short walk or tram ride from the centre.

Tallinn’s controversial new KUMU Art Museum is the largest

multifunctional art centre in Scandinavia and the Baltics. Its permanent

PÄRNU

Pärnu, known as Estonia’s summer capital, is a city

in south-western Estonia on the coast of Pärnu

Bay. The city has long been a popular summer

holiday resort and offers many hotels, restaurants and large golden

beaches. Pärnu is also popular with sailors and recreational sea-farers

being built on the mouth of the Pärnu River, which flows through the

city.

Pärnu is also Estonia’s most popular health tourism destination. The

predecessor of the present Pärnu Mud Baths was build in the early

Beach of Pärnu

Tallinn’s Old Town

www.visitestonia.com

SETUMAA

NARVA

HAAPSALU

Narva is the third largest city in Estonia, located

close to the Russian border on the eastern side of

Estonia. The city is built on the Narva River which

flows from Lake Peipus.

Founded by the Danes in the 13th century, in the 16th and 17th cen-

turies Narva became an important port, a wealthy merchant town and

one of the most charming cities in the Baltics. Having been the focal

point of many fierce conflicts it was flattened during the Second World

War, yet has managed to retain some of its historic skyline.

A focal point is the Friendship Bridge, linking Narva with the Russian

town of Ivangorod. Narva and Ivangorod castles stand on either side

of the river and are a reminder that Narva is truly a crossroads be-

tween east and west.

Upstream is the historical Kreenholm textile plant, one of the largest

mills in 19th century Europe. The Narva Alexander cathedral, built

for Kreenholm’s 5,000 Lutheran employees, makes up a part of the

factory complex. Consecrated in 1884, the cathedral suffered serious

damage in World War II but has since been restored and today has an

active congregation.

Known as the Venice of the North for its

abundance of water, Haapsalu’s warm sea

water, curative mud and fresh air have

made the town a much loved summer resort for centuries. To-

day there are three mud cure establishments in and around the town.

The town’s origins date back over 700 years. Originally built on a strip

of land, formed by many islets, today its narrow streets repeatedly take

visitors back to the sea. Among its claims to fame is that the famous

Russian composer Tchaikovsky enjoyed walking in Haapsalu and could

often be found sitting on its attractive promenade, where visitors will

now find the Tchaikovsky bench.

Though peaceful and tranquil for much of the year, Haapsalu is pre-

dominantly a summer town and its narrow streets, traditional wooden

houses and waterfront location make it a pleasant place to be in the

warmer months.

Evidence of Haapsalu castle’s history can be found all over the town,

while its Episcopal castle, Haapsalu Castle, has the largest single-nave

cathedral in the Baltics.

IIon’s Wonderland is a fascinating and fun destination. Original works

by Haapsalu-born IIon Wilkland, who illustrated the books of children’s

author Astrid Lindgren, are on show in the Wonderland, which also of-

fers a glimpse of places familiar from Lindgren’s work and activities.

This is a distinctive region with influences

from both Estonian and Russian culture,

where the Setus speak a dialect that even

other Estonians find difficult to understand.

Also endemic to the region is the Setu traditional costume, colourfully

embroidered with bright aprons, and worn with large jewellery, usually

necklaces and a conic brooch with silver coins attached.

Folk song is still an integral part of the Setu culture and is known as leelo

(which means song). A leelo choir comprises a lead singer and a vocal

group. The lead sings the verses which are then repeated by the group.

The Setu Museum in Saatse displays over 20,000 folk artefacts, the Setu

Farm Museum in Värska is home to farm architecture from a century ago,

old tools and handicrafts and the Setu Muuseumitarõ in Obinitsa recre-

ates Setu family life, traditions and customs from the decades between

the world wars.

Setumaa offers good hiking, biking and car touring opportunities but not

all roads are straight and graded. Their true charms can best be experi-

enced on the narrow winding village roads and forest by-ways.

Setumaa’s centre, Värska, on the Estonian side of the border is known

for its mineral water and curative mud, the effect of which can be expe-

rienced at the long established Värska Sanatorium and at the new Värska

mineral water spa located next door to the Sanatorium.

Tourist Information Centers in Estonia

The statue of an Aurochs in Rakvere

HAAPSALU

Karja 15, tel +372 473 3248

haapsalu@visitestonia.com

RAKVERE

Laada tn 14, tel +372 324 2734

rakvere@visitestonia.com

HIIUMAA

Hiiu 1, Kärdla, tel +372 462 2232

hiiumaa@visitestonia.com

RAPLA

Viljandi mnt 4, tel +372 489 4359

rapla@visitestonia.com

JÕGEVA

Suur 3, tel +372 776 8520

jogeva@visitestonia.com

TALLINN HARBOR A terminal

Sadama 25, tel +372 631 8321

port.tallinn@visitestonia.com

Viljandi Folk Festival

JÕHVI

Rakvere 13a, tel +372 337 0568

johvi@visitestonia.com

VILJANDI

TALLINN Center in Old Town

Niguliste 2 / Kullassepa 4,

tel +372 645 7777

turismiinfo@tallinnlv.ee

Viljandi is an ancient town of green parks

and wooden buildings in southern Estonia

situated on a hill above a picturesque lake.

The town’s many church spires and its famous Water Tower are re-

flected in the lake, adding to the beauty of Viljandi’s lovely, natural set-

ting. The best views of the town and the surrounding countryside can be

enjoyed from the top of the Water Tower.

The lake is popular with holiday makers, fishermen, walkers, picnickers

and sports enthusiasts. Beside the lake are tennis courts, diving towers,

playgrounds, boat hire and catamaran trips. A hiking path runs around

the lake and a run around the lake takes place each May.

The most famous legends of the region, celebrated in local song, sur-

round the Viljandi boatman who rows the lake and longs for his beau-

tiful-eyed girl.

Dating back to its first habitation by 14th century Hanseatic merchants,

Viljandi celebrates its centuries of history each June as locals dress in

period costumes and trade and haggle at a traditional fair. A Music

Centre, dedicated to folk music and The Kondas Centre of Naïve Art are

both open year round.

Viljandi Folk, the traditional music festival held each summer, fills the

town with the sound of Estonian zither, bagpipes and melodies – a feast

day for all folkies.

RAKVERE

Rakvere is a town in northern Estonia, 20 km

south of the Gulf of Finland, dating back over

700 years to when it received city rights in

1302. Throughout a colourful history and the

scene of numerous battles, former occupants have included Danes,

Poles, Swedes, Germans and Russians.

Today the most important sights for visitors are the central square,

the sports centre and the ancient fort, which has been painstakingly

restored. Visitors to the 700 year old Teutonic Order fort can now see

an exhibition of weaponry, visit the medieval torture chamber, try their

hand at archery and swordsmanship and see a working smithy.

Adjacent to the fort is a 7 m long, 4 m high bronze of an aurochs, an

extinct hoofed mammal, believed to be the largest animal sculpture

in the Baltics. Weighing around 7 tons, the sculpture was erected to

mark the town’s 700th anniversary and sits on a granite block on the

edge of Vallimägi hill.

The town’s cultural centre is the Rakvere Theatre, which has hosted

the Baltics’ international theatre festival since 1994, the biennial Balto-

scandal. Other sights of interest are the War of Independence monu-

ment, designed in 1925 by Amandus Adamson, the early 15th century

Trinity Church and the Rakvere Linnakodaniku (Citizen’s) Museum.

KURESSAARE

Tallinna 2, tel +372 453 3120

kuressaare@visitestonia.com

TALLINN Center in Viru Keskus

Viru väljak 4, tel +372 610 1557

turismiinfo@tallinnlv.ee

NARVA

Pu š kini 13, tel +372 356 0184

narva@visitestonia.com

TARTU

Raekoda, tel +372 744 2111

tartu@visitestonia.com

OTEPÄÄ

Tartu mnt 1, tel +372 766 1200

otepaa@visitestonia.com

VALGA

Kesk 11, tel +372 766 1699

valga@visitestonia.com

PAIDE

Pärnu 6, tel +372 385 0400

paide@visitestonia.com

VILJANDI

Vabaduse pl 6,

tel +372 433 0442

viljandi@visitestonia.com

PÕLVA

Kesk 42, tel +372 799 5001

polva@visitestonia.com

VÕRU

Tartu tn. 31, tel +372 782 1881

voru@visitestonia.com

PÄRNU

Rüütli 16, tel +372 447 3000

parnu@visitestonia.com

The Hermann citadel in Narva

Medieval Citadel’s Dome Church in Haapsalu

Festivities in Setumaa

LAHEMAA

Estonia in brief

Official name: Republic of Estonia (Eesti Vabariik in Estonian).

Area: 45,227 km2, 1.36 million inhabitants.

Capital: Tallinn (405,000 inhabitants).

Official language: Estonian, form of government: parliamentary

democracy, national holiday: 24 February (Independence Day).

The Republic of Estonia is a member of the European Union and NATO.

Estonia is part of the Schengen Area.

Estonia is in the East European time zone (GMT/BST +02:00).

Money and credit cards

Currency: the Estonian kroon (EEK) (1 EUR =15.6466 EEK).

Most shops, restaurants, hotels and services companies accept the most

common international credit cards.

Currency can be changed in banks and at bureaux de change (at the

Port of Tallinn, Tallinn airport), Tallinn train station, in many hotels,

supermarkets and elsewhere).

There are many cash machines in cities, but take cash for travel in the

countryside. In Estonian restaurants, the service charge is included in the

bill, although a 10% tip is welcomed and is seen as polite.

Shops and restaurants

Most shops are open from 9:00 – 19:00 on weekdays, but close earlier

at weekends.

Supermarkets and larger shopping centres are open seven days a week

from 9:00 – 22:00.

Souvenir shops and other tourist venues are generally open seven days a

week from 10:00 – 18:00.

Most sales staff in shops have a good or at least elementary knowledge

of English, Finnish and Russian; some also speak German.

Telephone and Internet

Estonia’s country code is +372, and when making an international call

from Estonia, one must dial the prefix 00 before the telephone number.

Calls from public telephones are made with telephone cards (50 EEK or

100 EEK), which can be bought in hotels, tourist information centres, post

offices, newsstands, etc.

Pre-paid mobile phone calling cards (Simpel, Pop, Zen, Ultra, Smart) are

available at petrol stations, newsagents, post offices, information desks in

department stores and in telephone shops;

Lahemaa (‘Land of Bays’) the largest national

park in Estonia was established to promote

preservation and research into North-Estoni-

an landscapes, ecosystems, biodiversity and national heritage.

Made up of four peninsulas and numerous islets, jutting into the Gulf of

Finland, the park covers an area of 72,500 ha, including 47,410 ha of

land and 25,090 ha of sea.

Lahemaa’s forests, marshlands and coastal areas are home to around

200 bird species and approximately 900 different plants. Animal life

includes deer, elk, moose, lynx, wild boar and the brown bear, all of

which can be occasionally glimpsed on the edge of the marshes and in

the forests.

The region is criss-crossed by well-marked trails and tourist guides are

available to take visitors on specialist tours. Two of the best wildlife

walks are the 4.7 km Oandu Forest Nature Trail, which offers walkers

the chance to see evidence of brown bear, moose, boar and lynx, and

the 1 km Beaver Trail, starting at Oandu, taking in the beaver’s dams

and giving the chance to spot this elusive animal.

The national park’s main attractions are the idyllic coastal villages and

manor estates. The traditional Altja coastal village maintains the charac-

ter of a bygone way of life, while the Käsmu ‘captains’ village’, once the

site of a nautical school, currently houses a maritime museum. Sagadi,

Palmse and Vihula manors are undoubtedly historical and architectural

pearls. Sagadi now has a forest museum, while Palmse is home to a

nature centre and manorial museum complete with a stately palm gar-

den.

Art enthusiasts will be sure to delight at the Viinistu art museum. And

naturally Lahemaa is a year-round concert venue, with theatre perform-

ances and various cultural and sporting events.

Over 80% of the area of Soomaa National Park is covered by bogs,

marshes, wetland meadows and marshland forests with 537 different

marshland plants,185 birds and 43 mammal species, including roe deer,

elk, wild boar, beavers, lynx, wolves and brown bears.

The Soomaa Visitor Centre can be found in the middle of the park, be-

tween Pärnu and Viljandi, and guides visitors on the permissible walking

trails and areas where fishing, canoeing and other recreational activities

can be undertaken, as well as offering educational programmes, presen-

tations and lectures.

the largest operator is EMT (www.emt.ee).

There are over 1100 Wireless Internet hotspots in hotels, pubs, libraries,

petrol stations, urban parks and elsewhere (www.wifi.ee), many of which

can be used free of charge.

You can get an answer to any vital or everyday question by calling

Ekspress Hotline at the toll short number 1182 (www.1182.ee) or

Infoabi at 1188 (www.1188.ee).

Emergency numbers in Estonia: police 110,

ambulance and fire department 112.

Weather forecasts at www.weather.ee,

road information at www.balticroads.net.

Angla’s windmills

Soomaa National Park

Traffic rules and regulations

Speed limit: 50 km/h in urban areas; 90 km/h outside towns on main

highways, unless otherwise signposted.

Whenever driving, turn on headlights and fasten safety belts in both front

and rear seats.

Note: drivers are only permitted less than 0.1 milligrams of alcohol in one

millilitre of blood.

There is paid parking in most town centres. Look for more information on

special signs and parking metres.

In case of a traffic accident we recommend calling the police. But if there

are no injuries and the involved drivers agree on what happened, they can

prepare a written explanation in two copies, without calling the police.

SAAREMAA

Saaremaa, a land of nature, tradition and

windmills, is Estonia’s largest island and

is only accessible by ferry or by plane. Its

relative inaccessibility and an 8,000 year history contribute

to its uniqueness today. Local dialects are still spoken, islanders wear

beautiful national costumes on festive occasions and stone fences and

traditional thatched roof houses abound.

In the 19th century, most large farms on Saaremaa and its neighbour-

ing islands had its own windmill. Although they are less common today

they remain an important part of the island’s heritage and renovated

windmills are today open to visitors.

Other traditional symbols are the local sour dough black bread and the

dark, home-brewed beer, which have been important parts of island life

for centuries and can today be sampled throughout the islands.

Kuressaare, with its beautiful, well-preserved old town, is the only town

on the island and is an acclaimed resort centre with a spa that dates

back to 1824. The town’s most important sights are the 14th century

bishop’s citadel and the surrounding city park. The citadel is the best-

preserved medieval fort in the Baltics and exhibits provide an overview

of the history of the island as well as that of Estonia. The fort’s tower

café boasts a superb view and in summer handicraft shops, events, con-

certs and song festivals take place in the courtyard.

Saaremaa’s flora and fauna is very diverse with more than 200 of the

local species under protection. Besides the Viidumäe nature reserve and

Vilsandi National Park, Saaremaa has around 100 protected sites, boul-

ders, marshes, large trees and intact parks. One of the most unusual

attractions is the Kaali crater. This vast ‘hole’, 100 m in diameter, was

formed when a meteorite fell on the spot around 3,000 years ago. The

Kaali visitor centre provides an opportunity to learn more about mete-

orites and geology.

Other sights of interest are the 17th century Kihelkonna bell tower, the

Loona manor, the ruins of the Order citadel at Maasi, the Mihkli farm

museum and the nearly 800-year-old Valjala church, the oldest extant

stone church in Estonia.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

www.visitestonia.com

www.eesti.ee

www.vm.ee

www.rmk.ee

www.turismiweb.ee

www.regio.ee

www.balticsworldwide.com

www.inyourpocket.com/estonia

www.tallinn-airport.ee

www.bussireisid.ee

www.peatus.ee

www.ts.ee

www.edel.ee

www.maaturism.ee

www.estonianspas.com

www.gorail.ee

DESTINATIONS

www.tourism.tallinn.ee

www.tallinn.ee/eng

www.visittartu.com

www.visitparnu.ee

www.southestonia.info

www.saaremaa.ee

www.rakvere.ee

www.viljandi.ee

tourism.narva.ee

www.haapsalu.ee

www.lahemaa.ee

www.soomaa.ee

www.setomaa.ee

www.mulgi.karksi.ee

www.nortestonia.eu

www.mois.ee

CULTURE

www.einst.ee

www.festivals.ee

www.laulupidu.ee

www.estoniantheatre.info

www.estmusic.com

www.kunstikeskus.ee

www.estlit.ee

www.piletilevi.ee

www.opera.ee

www.concert.ee

SOOMAA

Soomaa (‘Land of Bogs’) National Park is

Estonia’s second largest and its youngest na-

tional park and is located in the south west

of the country. The park was created in 1993 to protect

and preserve large raised bogs, flood plain grasslands, paludified forests

and meandering rivers and includes Estonia’s largest areas of bog, tee-

ming with biodiversity.

Life in Soomaa depends on the weather and the elements more than in

any other place in Estonia. Soomaa is famous for its great floods. When

the region’s small rivers can no longer drain the melt water from the

Sakala uplands, the water level rises 3-4 metres and can flood an area of

up to 175 square kilometres. Because the flooding occurs almost every

year, this phenomenon is known as Soomaa’s fifth season.

Lahemaa National Park

Citadel of Kuressaare

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