Chasing Summer –

It was 2 hours and 45 minutes for this ferry on Viking Lines’s Cinderella Ferry. Again, I entered Estonia in the rain, but this time it was a short rain. This was good because I only had one afternoon/evening to see everything I wanted.

I arrived at 1:15pm and made my way to my hostel about 30minutes away. I was booked at Tallinn Guesthouse and splurged on a single room with a shared bath. It was pretty bad.

Location wise, it was excellent and right in the old city. But room wise, the kitchen and common rooms weren’t very nice, and my bedroom door had the handle coming off in my hands. The window latch that keeps it from blowing out onto the sidewalk was broken, and I was on the ground level next to a busy street, awkward. The lamp in my room was held together with duct tape, and the bathroom was moldy. Luckily, it was cheap, my bed was clean, and I was only there 1 night.

After checking in, I headed out to see the old city following a self walking route that took me around the entire area. One of my favorite things about this old city is that it is compact and easy to get around.

I started out at St. Olav’s Church (Oleviste Kirik). It was built during the 1100s and dedicated to King Olaf II of Norway. The builder of the church, another Olaf, is believed to have fallen to his death from the tower. It is free to enter the church but a small fee is required to climb the tower. I knew there were other platforms I’d be climbing so I stayed on the ground.

My walk took me past several other churches and many museums.

I made my way to the walls and towers of the city and the three remaining towers out of 26, of Nunna, Sauna and Kuldjala. The walls and towers were built in the 14th century to protect the town. It costs 5 Euros to climb the towers.

Just outside the gates I found my way to the 157 stairs leading to the Patkuli Viewing platform where there are great views of Tallinn. The stairs are steep and anyone with mobility issues can take a more leisurely walk up from the opposite side, which I took going down.

Making my way down from the top of the viewing area, I came across Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Toompea Hill, Pikk Hermann (Tall Hermann Tower) and Tallinn Castle which are all in the same area.

The Cathedral is an orthadox cathedral built in the late 1890s when Estonia was a part of Russia. It has been seen as a powerful symbol of oppression and was scheduled for demolition in 1924, but due to lack of funds, it wasn’t carried out.

The Pikk Herman is at the Estonian Palace/Parliment building and the flag flies there everyday. It is said whichever flag flies there rules the country.

From this area I began wandering back in the direction I had come from to Maiden’s Tower (Neitsitorn). Ironically it was used as a prison for prostitutes hense it’s name.

Down through the Danish King’s Gardens and down to St. Nicolas Church. About this time, I started to get the feeling that something was up. There certainly were more people, and I could hear some faint music.

Past St. Nicolas, I could see booths set up. One for archery and another with a fake jouster horse and target. Then there were colorful booths and people dressed in medievel costumes. As I made my way to the Townhall Square (Raekoja Plats) and the true old town, it was packed with vendors, food, and live music. I had magically come during Medieval Week.

It was enthralling, and I decided to stop and eat my lunch/dinner here while enjoying the festive feeling. I decided to try the shhi a’la Peter soup. It came with minced garlic and sourcream and a shot of vodka that tasted a bit of peanuts.

After eating I wandered off and saw a few more churches, musuems, and made my way to Saint Catherine’s Passage.

Walking along, I could see several restaurants that were in the lower levels using the spaces that used to be cellars. Even the Dominican Monastery Calustrum use the lower levels.

This old town is truly one of my favorites that I have visited.

I loved all the little details.