Estonia is the name of the capital. Estonia country. Contemporary Estonian cinema

Estonia is a country located in the northwest of Eastern Europe on the northeast coast of the Baltic Sea. Official name state sounds like the Republic of Estonia. The territory of Estonia is washed by the Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Finland. The capital of the republic is the city of Tallinn.

Republic of Estonia – just the facts

The Republic of Estonia was proclaimed on February 24, 1918. Prior to that, from the XIII century until 1583, its territory belonged to the Livonian Order, from 1583 it passed to Sweden, and from 1710 to 1918 it was part of the Russian Empire. The first Republic of Estonia existed from 1918 to 1940. In 1940, it became part of the USSR, of which it was a full-fledged socialist republic until August 20, 1991. This date is considered the Day of the Restoration of Independence.

During the Second World War from 1941 to 1944 Estonia was occupied by Nazi Germany. The liberation of the republic took place in several stages, the troops of the invaders were completely expelled from here in the fall of 1944. After that, Estonia was again included in the USSR. According to today's official interpretation, it is customary to refer to subsequent years in the press and state speeches as occupation.

In 1921 Estonia became a member of the League of Nations. After the restoration of independence in 1991, the state became a member of the UN. Since 2004, according to the results of a national referendum (in which only citizens were allowed to participate from the indigenous people), the Republic of Estonia became part of the European Union. Then she joined the North Atlantic military alliance NATO. Since January 2007, Estonia has been part of the Schengen area.

Phone code of the country Estonia: +372.

State symbols of Estonia

The main symbols of the country of Estonia are the national flag, coat of arms and anthem. Their use is regulated by law. The symbols of the Republic of Estonia appeared long before the establishment of statehood.

Country Estonia - administrative unit

The Republic of Estonia is considered one of the smallest states in the world. The territory of Estonia is 45,227 square kilometers. According to the Department of Statistics at the beginning of 2015, the population of the republic was 1,312,252 people. The territory of Estonia is divided into counties, which in turn consist of townships.

The largest cities in Estonia are Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu and Narva. Important tourist centers also include small resorts in which developed medical tourism. A good tradition has developed in the republic of assigning the symbolic title of the capital to different cities: the spring capital is the city of Türi, the summer capital is Pärnu, the autumn capital is Narva and the winter capital is Otepää.

Countries bordering Estonia

Estonia has land border With Russian Federation in the east and with the Republic of Latvia in the south. To cross the Estonian-Russian border, you need to obtain a visa (holders of the so-called "gray" passports, that is, stateless persons, can cross the border of states freely). No visas are required to cross the Latvian-Estonian border, border and passport control it is not produced here, since both states belong to the Schengen zone.

Estonia's closest neighbors also include Finland and Sweden. The countries are separated by the Baltic Sea, and there is constant shipping between their capitals. The distance from Tallinn to Helsinki is about 80 kilometers. Estonia is connected with its neighbors by bus, sea and air links. Until May 2015, it was also possible to get to the capital of the republic from Russia by train.

The Republic is a state in the northwest of Eastern Europe. In the north it is washed by the Gulf of Finland, in the west by the Baltic Sea. In the east, the country borders on Russia, including on Lake Peipsi, in the south - on Latvia. Estonia owns more than 1500 islands, the largest of which are Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.

The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the people - Estonians.

Official name: Republic of Estonia

Capital:

The area of ​​the land: 45,226 sq. km

Total population: 1.3 mln. people

Administrative division: Estonia is divided into 15 maakunds (counties) and 6 cities of central subordination.

Form of government: Parliamentary republic.

Head of State: The President is elected by Parliament for a term of 5 years.

Composition of the population: 65.% - Estonians, 28.1% - Russians, 2.5% - Ukrainians, 1.5% - Belarusians, 1% - Finns, 1.6 - others.

Official language: Estonian. The language of communication for most non-Estonians is Russian.

Religion: 80% - Lutherans, 18% - Orthodox.

Internet domain: .ee

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +372

Country barcode: 474

Climate

Moderate, transitional from maritime to continental: along Baltic coast- marine, away from the sea - closer to temperate continental. The average air temperature in January is -4-7 C, in July +15-17 C. Precipitation is up to 700 mm. per year, mainly in the autumn-winter period (the end of summer is also often rainy). Due to the influence of sea air masses, the weather is quite changeable, and can often change several times a day, especially in spring and autumn.

Due to the shallow water, the water in the sea and lakes warms up quickly and in July reaches +20-24 C, the beach season lasts from early June to late August. Best time to visit the country - from early May to mid-September.

Geography

State in northeastern Europe south coast Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. It borders with Latvia in the south and Russia in the east. In the north it is washed by the Gulf of Finland, in the west - by the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea.

The country's territory includes more than 1,500 islands (10% of the territory of Estonia), the largest of which are Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Vormen, Naisaar, Aegna, Prangli, Kihnu, Ruhnu, Abruka and Vilsandi.

The relief is predominantly flat. Most of the country is a flat moraine plain covered with forests (almost 50% of the territory), swamps and peatlands (almost 25% of the territory). Only in the north and in the central part of the country stretches the Pandivere hill (up to 166 m on the city of Emumägi), and in the southeastern part of the country there is a narrow strip of hilly hills (up to 318 m on the city of Suur-Munamägi). The lake network is also extensive - more than 1 thousand moraine lakes. total area country is about 45.2 thousand square meters. km. is the northernmost and smallest of the Baltic states.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Estonia is located in the zone of mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. Few primary forests remain. The most fertile soddy-calcareous soils, on which broad-leaved forests once grew, are now occupied by arable land. In general, about 48% of the country's area is under forests. The most characteristic forest-forming species are Scotch pine, Scotch spruce, warty and downy birch, aspen, as well as oak, maple, ash, elm, linden. As part of the undergrowth, mountain ash, bird cherry, and willow grow. Less often, mainly in the west, in the undergrowth there are yew berry, wild apple, Scandinavian mountain ash and aria, blackthorn, hawthorn.

Forests are most widespread in the east of the country - in central and southern Estonia, where they are represented by spruce forests and mixed spruce-deciduous forests. Pine forests grow on sandy soils in the southeast of the country. In the west of Estonia, large areas are occupied by peculiar landscapes - a combination of upland meadows with areas of sparse forests. Meadow vegetation is widespread in the northwest and north of the country. The low-lying, periodically flooded coastal strip is occupied by coastal meadows. A specific flora that tolerates soil salinity is widespread here.

The territory of Estonia is heavily swamped. Bogs (mostly lowlands) are common in the valleys of the Pärnu, Emajõgi, Põltsamaa, Pedja rivers, along the shores of Lake Peipus and Pskov. Raised bogs are confined to the main watershed of Estonia. To the north of Lake Peipus, swampy forests are widespread.

Flora of Estonia includes 1560 species of flowering, gymnosperms and ferns. Of these, about three-quarters of the species are concentrated in the western coastal areas and on the islands. The flora of mosses (507 species), lichens (786 species), fungi (about 2500 species), algae (more than 1700 species) is distinguished by a large species diversity.

Animal world

The species diversity of wild fauna is small - approx. 60 species of mammals. The most numerous are moose (about 7,000 individuals), roe deer (43,000), hares, and wild boars (11,000). In the 1950s–1960s, maral, red deer, and raccoon dogs were introduced. In the largest forest areas brown bear (about 800 individuals) and lynx (about 1000 individuals) are found in many parts of Estonia. Foxes, pine martens, badgers, and squirrels are also found in the forests. The forest ferret, ermine, weasel are widespread, along the banks of reservoirs - the European mink and otter. Very common hedgehog, shrew, mole.

Coastal waters abound with game animals such as ringed seal (in the Gulf of Riga and off the West Estonian archipelago) and long-snouted seal (in the Gulf of Finland).

The avifauna is the most diverse. It has 331 species, of which 207 species nest permanently in Estonia (about 60 live all year round). The most numerous are capercaillie and hazel grouse (in coniferous forests), woodcock (in swamps), black grouse (in forest clearings), coot, bittern, shepherd, warblers, mallard and other ducks (on lakes and the sea coast), as well as the tawny owl, woodpeckers, larks, kestrel.

Such rare species of birds as white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, short-toed eagle, greater and lesser spotted eagle, osprey, white and black stork, gray crane are under protection. On the islands of the western archipelago, common eider, crested duck, shoveler, merganser, scoter, gray goose, gulls nest. Birds are especially numerous during the spring and autumn mass migration to summer nesting sites or wintering in tropical countries.

There are 3 species of lizards and 2 species of snakes, including the common viper.

More than 70 species of fish live in fresh water and coastal waters (carp, salmon, smelt, vendace, Chud whitefish, bream, roach, perch, pike perch, burbot, trout, crucian carp, tench, carp, herring, sprat, cod, flounder, sea ​​whitefish, eel, etc.). Many of them are of commercial importance.

In general, Estonia is characterized by a caring attitude towards nature. In order to study it, preserve the gene pool and protect landscapes, several national parks And state reserves and preservers. In total, approximately 10% of the territory of Estonia is under protection. In 1995, the parliament passed a law on the sustainable development of the country, and in 1996 the government approved a strategy for environmental protection.

Attractions

Tourists come to Estonia primarily to get acquainted with the ancient and original culture of this country, to visit the wonderful song performances that this land is so famous for, and also to relax in the seaside resorts of the Baltic coast.

Banks and currency

The monetary unit is the euro (coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro cents, 1 and 2 euros; banknotes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros).

Banks are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00 and in the morning on Saturday.

Currency exchange offices are open on working days from 9:00 to 18:00, on Saturdays - from 9:00 to 15:00. Some exchange offices are open on Sunday.

Useful information for tourists

Of interest to tourists are, first of all, numerous shops with folk art, needlework, jewelry, leather goods, souvenirs, and antiques. These shops are located mainly in the old parts of the cities and are usually open from 9.00 to 18.00. IN major cities department stores and supermarkets are open until 20.00. Many shops are also open on Sundays. Recently, chain stores have appeared with a round-the-clock work schedule.

In restaurants, hotels and taxis, tips are included in the cost of services. But you have the right to reward the attendants for good service additionally.

The capital of Estonia - the city of Tallinn - is the largest settlement in the republic. Before the declaration of independence and the establishment of statehood, it was called Revel and was considered the county center of the Estonian province of the Russian Empire. The current name was given to the city in 1919, at the same time, by decree of the Estonian government, it became the official capital of the republic. As of the beginning of 2016, the number of officially registered residents of Tallinn exceeded 439,000, which is almost a third of the country's population.

The capital of Estonia as a business and tourist center

Tallinn is the main business and tourist center Republic of Estonia. Here, as well as in the vicinity, the largest enterprises of the country are concentrated. Yes, and acquaintance with Estonia for many tourists begins with a visit to its capital. The most famous are the Kadriorg park, divided into two parts, founded by the Russian Tsar Peter I, as well as interactive museums - Lennusadam (seaplane harbor) and KUMU.

The capital of Estonia is also a center of culture and recreation. It is here that concerts of Russian and Western stars regularly take place, an eventful nightlife rages, mass sporting events and festivals take place. Once every five years, a large-scale song and dance festival is held on the Song and Dance Field, which attracts singers and dancers from all over Estonia.

Unlike other European capitals, Tallinn cannot boast of large sizes. However, perhaps this is precisely its advantage. The distances here are short, and thanks to the well-developed public transport system from the city center to any area can be reached without a change in no more than half an hour. By the way, buses, trolleybuses and trams are free for citizens.

Capital of Estonia – challenge title

IN Republic of Estonia a tradition has been established, according to which, several times a year, Tallinn symbolically transfers the powers of the main city to other settlements. This allows not only to diversify local life, but also to draw the attention of tourists to other cities in Estonia. The transfer of the title occurs with the onset of the next season according to the astronomical calendar.

The title of the spring capital is annually assigned to the city of Türi. He is awarded this honor for the abundance of flowering gardens, the aroma of which creates an indescribable atmosphere. In the second half of July, the proud title of the capital passes to the main Estonian resort - the city. Until autumn, it is officially considered the summer capital of Estonia.

At the end of September, the baton takes over border town. Since the late 90s, it has been called the autumn capital of the republic. The last title of the main city is trying on ski resort Otepää, which until mid-March is considered the winter capital of Estonia.

Unofficial capitals of Estonia

In addition to the listed "seasonal capitals" in Estonia, there are two more cities that have been given the symbolic title of the main cities of the republic. So, for example, the city, which is the center of Estonian students, is often called the university or student capital of the country. As you know, the most prestigious university in the republic is located here.

The title of the island's capital is borne by the city. It is located on the island of Saaremaa and is the largest located in the non-mainland part of the country. All of these cities deserve the attention of tourists, and their residents are always glad to see guests and are ready to give them a warm welcome.

Tallinn (Estonia) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Tallinn with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Tallinn (Estonia)

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, one of the largest and most beautiful cities Baltic, located on the northeastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It is a major port and the most interesting city Estonia. Tallinn is an amazing combination of antiquity and modernity. Particularly impressive is the well-preserved old town, which is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The historical center of Tallinn is a charming atmosphere of the Middle Ages and the old Hanseatic city: a city wall with towers, an interweaving of winding cobbled streets, old houses, interesting sights, monuments of history and architecture.

Tallinn can be conditionally divided into two parts: the new and the old city. The Old City includes:

• Toompea hill (Vyshgorod) - medieval fortress with old streets covered with paving stones, medieval houses and monuments of history and architecture that surround fragments of the city wall
• lower city - adjoins the city wall and lies at the base of the hill.

The new city contrasts strongly with the historical center, representing a classic Soviet building, diluted with modern skyscrapers made of glass and concrete.

Practical information about the city

1. The population of Tallinn is about 450 thousand inhabitants. Of these, more than 50% are Estonians and almost 40% are Russians.
2. The official language is Estonian. Russian is very common. English and German are also available.
3. Currency - euro. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
4. Orthodox and Lutherans predominate among religious denominations.
5. Time: winter +2, summer +3.
6. Visa - Schengen.

Best time to visit

Despite the fact that Tallinn is beautiful and interesting in any weather, we consider summer and early autumn (until October) to be the best time to visit. At this time, it is quite warm and the weather is usually good. Another magical time is New Year and Christmas. At this time, Tallinn reigns fabulous atmosphere, there are Christmas markets and markets.

Geography and climate

Tallinn is geographically located in Northern Europe in the southern part of the Gulf of Riga, which is part of the Baltic Sea, 80 km from the capital of Finland - Helsinki. The relief is quite flat. highest point Tallinn (64 m) is located in its southwestern part. Within the city there are several large lakes, the largest of which is Ülemiste.

The climate of Tallinn is temperate maritime with high humidity. The Tallinn climate is characterized by: rather mild winters with slight frosts and thaws, cool springs, warm summers and rainy autumns. The average temperature in July-August is 15-20 degrees.

Story

Tallinn is a rather old city. Its history spans over 8 centuries. The first written mention of the city dates back to 1154. Then there was a market and a fishing harbor. In the first half of the 13th century, Tallinn was captured by the Danes. They demolished the old settlement and started building a new one. At that time the city was called Revel. At the same time, Tallinn was constantly subjected to raids by Estonians and German knights. In 1227 the German knights captured the city, but it returned to Denmark again in 1238 and belonged to the Danish kingdom for over 100 years. Around this time, the foundation of the coat of arms of Tallinn dates back.

In 1346, Reval was sold by Denmark, along with part of Estonia, to the Teutonic Order. From the 14th to the 16th century, the heyday of ancient Tallinn took place. In 1347, Reval received city privileges and soon joined the Hanseatic League. Membership in the Hansa turned Tallinn into one of the richest cities in the Baltics.

During the Livonian War, the order of the same name ceased to exist. In 1561, Reval swore allegiance to the Swedish king. At the same time, Tallinn has become one of the main trading cities in Sweden, surpassing even the Swedish capital - Stockholm. During the Livonian War, the city was besieged by Poles, Danes, Russian troops stood near it for 3 months. The result of this military campaign was a decline in trade, and Tallinn lost its importance. In 1583 the city became the center of the Duchy of Estland within Sweden. The era of Swedish rule lasted until the 18th century. During this period, fortress walls were erected.

After graduation Northern war Revel joined the Russian Empire. At this time, the city becomes one of the central ports of the Russian Baltic along with St. Petersburg and Riga. Tallinn was part of the Russian Empire until 1918.

In 1918, the independence of Estonia was proclaimed in Reval. In 1919 the city was renamed Tallinn. In 1940, Estonia became part of the USSR. In 1941, Tallinn was occupied by the Germans. In 1944 the city was liberated. During the liberation, the city was bombed, during which 40% of the old city was damaged. Since 1991, Tallinn has been the capital of independent Estonia.

How to get there

Tallinn International Airport is located 5 km from the historical center. Flights from Moscow, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Bremen, Oslo, Copenhagen, Kiev, Istanbul, London, Milan, Bergamo and many other European cities fly here. Bus ✓ 2 runs from the airport to the center (every half hour, ticket costs 2 euros) and tram ✓ 4 (ticket also costs 2 euros). A taxi to the center will cost about 10 euros.

A ferry service connects Tallinn with Helsinki. Also by sea you can get to the capital of Estonia from Stockholm and St. Petersburg.

You can get to Tallinn by bus from almost all major cities in the Baltic States, Finland, St. Petersburg, etc. Buses arrive at the central bus station, located on the street. Lastekodu, 46. From the bus station to the center you can take buses 17, 23, 2, 54, 15 and trams 4, 2.

Trains arrive at the Baltic Station, located near the old town. Railway communication has been established with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Highways link Tallinn with Russia and Latvia.

Getting Around the City

To move around the city, you can use buses, trolleybuses and trams. Public transport in Tallinn operates from 6.00 to 23.00 (although some lines may operate until 24.00). The public transport scheme can be viewed / downloaded below. The old town is quite compact, so it is easy to get around on foot. The fare when paid in cash is 2 euros. Tickets can be bought from the driver. You can also use the TallinCard, which entitles you to free travel in public transport for the entire period of its validity, or a single travel card. At the same time, the card must be validated immediately after the start of the trip.

Shopping and shopping

Tallinn is one of the shopping centers in the Baltics. The main shopping district is Rotermann, where you can find many shops and restaurants. Many shops and shops with souvenirs and not only can be found in the old town.

Shopping centers and large supermarkets in Tallinn:

• Viru Keskus, Viru väljak 6
• FoorumKeskus, Narva maantee
• Christine , Endla 45
• Stockmann, Liivalaia 53
• Solaris, Estonia pst. 9
• Norde Centrum, Lootsi 7
• WW Passaaž, Aia 3 / Vana-Viru 10
• Sikupilli, Tartu mnt 87

Where to eat

Many restaurants and cafes are located in the old town. Great food (including traditional Estonian cuisine) can be enjoyed around Raekoja Square (Town Hall Square). Although in the restaurants on this square, food is expensive by Estonian standards. Unusual and inexpensive establishments can be found in the Kalamaja and Kopli areas.

Night life

In terms of entertainment, Tallinn is in no way inferior to the most fashionable European capitals. Therefore, even avid party-goers will not be bored here. Usually Tallinn clubs are open on Friday and Saturday and public holidays, although you can always find a fun place here. Clubs open from 22.00 - 23.00 and work until 3.00 - 4.00. The advantage of Tallinn is its compactness, so if you don’t like it in one place, you can take a walk to another.

Sights of Tallinn

The main attraction and symbol of Tallinn is the old town. It is amazing a nice place with a wonderful atmosphere, which is surprisingly well preserved despite all the wars and hardships. Old winding cobbled streets medieval architecture, gothic church spiers and street lamps introduce us to the history and culture of Tallinn and give it some kind of mystical charm.

The historical center of Tallinn was formed in the period from the 13th to the 15th centuries during the Hanseatic era. The old city has largely retained the original layout and even buildings. It was surrounded by a powerful fortress wall, fragments of which have survived to this day. This is a place of atmospheric red tiled roofs, old stone houses, cozy courtyards and monuments of history and culture.

Initially, the old city was divided into Upper (Toompea or Vyshgorod) and Lower. In the Upper, the nobility and wealthy residents of Tallinn lived, in the Lower - artisans and other poor people. The Upper City was divided with the Lower Gate. Now these two parts form a single historical and architectural ensemble.

The main attraction of the Upper Town is Toompea Castle, which rises on a rock above the whole of Tallinn. This is the oldest place in the city, founded by German knights in the first half of the 13th century. Throughout the history of Tallinn, Toompea Castle has been the center of power. Now it houses the Parliament. For almost 8 centuries of its history, the castle was rebuilt many times, but in many respects it retained its original structure of the fortress of the 13th-14th century. On the south side of the castle you can see the Long German tower. This 46-meter stone mass is the Estonian national symbol. The flag of Estonia is hoisted on it every morning.

The heart of the old city is the Town Hall Square, which is almost the same age as Tallinn. The perimeter of the square is surrounded by old houses. In summer, street cafes are located here, and in winter, a New Year tree. It is interesting that the Christmas tree is installed on Town Hall Square from the first half of the 15th century.

The main attraction of the square, as it should be, is the town hall, which is a beautiful Gothic building built in the early 15th century. Interestingly, the Tallinn Town Hall is the only one completely preserved in all of Northern Europe. The most big-eyed can see the symbol of the town hall on the weather vane - the figure of Old Thomas. In summer, the most physically fit tourists can climb the 64-meter tower and enjoy the wonderful view of Tallinn.

Located next to the town hall oldest pharmacy Europe, which has been operating since the 15th century.

In Old Tallinn, you can find many beautiful, romantic and atmospheric places. One of the most picturesque streets is Katarina's lane. Here is the most famous souvenir market. A rather interesting place is the Courtyard of the Masters, located on the street. Vene tn 6. Some of the oldest medieval buildings have been preserved here.

On the eastern side of Toompea is one of the most photogenic places in Tallinn - Kohtuotsa lookout. Here you can not only enjoy the beautiful view of the old city, but also take cool photos.

The real symbol of Tallinn is the city wall. Previously, the Lower City was surrounded by a 4-kilometer wall with 46 towers. About 2 km of the wall and 20 towers have survived to this day. The construction of the wall began in the 13th century. But most of it belongs to the 16th century to the heyday of Tallinn as trading city Hanseatic League. The height of the wall is 14-16 meters, and the thickness reaches 3 meters.

In the northwestern part of the old city, a part of the city wall with three towers has been preserved. Here you can climb the wall and even walk along it. A beautiful view of the city walls opens from observation deck on Vyshgorod (Toompea) and Tower Square, located near the railway station. Some towers of the city wall are open to the public and contain curious displays.

sacred architecture

In Tallinn, you can find several masterpieces of sacred architecture.

Church of St. Nicholas - a 13th century church dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers. It is a powerful building, built by order of German settlers even before the fortress walls. Interestingly, this religious building is the only one in the Lower City that was not damaged during the Reformation. Church of St. Nicholas was damaged during the Second World War and later restored. Now it is a museum. Here you can admire the unique altar, ancient tombstones and masterpieces of sacred art.

Church of St. Olava is one of the most famous churches in the Baltics. It is a beautiful Gothic structure, famous for its tall tower, which was the tallest building in the world in the 15th and 16th centuries. The church was built in the 13th century for Scandinavian merchants. Modern look acquired in the 15-16th century. At that time, the height of the spire reached 159 meters. The spire of the church became not only a symbol of Tallinn, but even served as a guide for ships. Several times in history, the spire was damaged by lightning. Now the height of the tower is 124 meters.

The Dome Cathedral is one of the oldest religious buildings in Tallinn and Estonia. The exact date of construction of the church is not known. But there is evidence of its existence already in the first half of the 13th century. The church was built for the German community. The oldest part belongs to the 14th century. The 69-meter baroque tower was built in the 18th century. The famous navigator I.F. is buried in the church. Krusenstern.

Church of St. Spirit - an old church of the 14th century. In the old days, this religious building was the main temple for ordinary citizens. The church stands out with an interesting wooden finish. interior design and a 17th century clock on the façade.

Temple of Alexander Nevsky - main Orthodox church Tallinn. The church was built at the beginning of the 20th century. It has a rich interior decoration. There are 11 bells under the domes.

Tallinn is a city rich in interesting and original places. Here are some of them:

• Kadriorg is a baroque masterpiece, a wonderful palace complex built by Peter I for his wife, Catherine. Now there is an art museum here. Kadriorg Palace boasts many paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries. And, of course, it is one of the largest and most interesting art museums in the Baltics.
• The building of the Great Guild, which houses the State Historical Museum. This house dates back to the 15th century and was the seat of the guild of the most influential merchants.
• The Kiek in de Kök Tower is a 38 meter high medieval tower built in the 15th century. Here you can look at interesting expositions on the topic of city fortifications and weapons.
• Lookout Patkuli, located in the northern part of Vyshgorod (Toompea).
• Tallinn Zoo is one of the largest in the Baltics, located in Veskimetsa Park. Perfect place For family vacation. Ticket prices are very democratic: adults - 5 euros, children - 3 euros.

• Tallinn TV tower. You can climb it and look at the city from a height of 170 meters.
• Freedom Square is one of the symbols of independent Estonia. Located on the edge of the historical center.
• Helemann's Tower is a 14th century watchtower that you can climb and walk along the city wall.
• The Maiden's Tower is a medieval tower from the 14th century with a museum and an original cafe.
• Keismäe Tower is a medieval stone tower from the 14th century that can be rented for various events.
• Viru Gate - the city gate to the Old Town, located on Viru Street. The gate was built in the 14th century. Although most of gate was destroyed, two survived watchtowers, which are one of the most recognizable symbols of Tallinn.
• Kaarli Church on Toompea Hill is one of the most beautiful "new" churches in Tallinn, built in neo-Romanesque style in the 19th century.
• Kalamaja is a fishing area that is adjacent to the historical center. This is an area of ​​old multi-colored wooden houses, street cafes, youth and bohemians.

Of course, the interestingness of Tallinn is not limited to these places. It is a city full of discoveries, where you can always find something new!

Video - Tallinn

A former Soviet republic, and now one of the countries of the European Union, Estonia is gaining popularity among tourists. And not in vain. This country is rich in virgin forests, clean lakes, icy rivers and unique sights. The words of the Estonian anthem "My homeland, my happiness and joy" are the best way to characterize the attitude of the people towards their country. Estonians are especially anxious about their cultural heritage, natural wealth.

Estonia is an interesting country in terms of religious self-determination. It is impossible to say what kind of religion the majority of the country's inhabitants adhere to. More than 55% of the population does not recognize any religious tradition. Of the rest of the citizens, only 14% consider themselves Lutherans, 13% - Orthodox, and 6% call themselves atheists. The remaining percentages were distributed among Catholics, Baptists, Muslims, followers of the Taara religion and adherents of non-Christian traditions.

Even though Estonia small country It is divided into 15 counties. The country's largest city is its capital, Tallinn. It is home to almost a third of the citizens of all of Estonia. Other large cities include Tartu, Narva. Estonia's neighbors on land are Russia and Latvia, and on the sea - Finland. The shores of the country are washed by the waters of the Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Finland.

There are not so many citizens of foreign countries living in Estonia, not counting Russia - 21% of all residents of the country are Russians here.

Climate and weather

Estonia is a country with a unique climate. And not only because you rarely see such weather anywhere - every year here is different from the previous one. This is due to the influence of the Baltic Sea. The farther from coastline the climate becomes milder and less changeable.

Summer is a fabulous time. The sky is blue, it rarely rains, the air heats up to +30 °С, while the average summer temperature is +14.4…+18.4 °С. The sun shines brightly and for a long time, up to 19 hours a day. White nights are business card not only St. Petersburg, but also Estonia. Water in the sea and numerous lakes quickly warms up to +19…+24 °С. The best time for the beach season is from the beginning of June to the end of August.

Spring and autumn are the time of light but frequent rains. This is not the best time to visit Estonia. The air temperature at this time of the year is between 0 and +10 °C.

Winter is a period of mild frosts and crisp snow. At this time, Estonia becomes like a fairy tale: the roofs are covered with snow, the inhabitants go skiing and sleighing. The thermometer usually shows a temperature of -6 ... 0 ° C. Most cold month year is February. This is due not only to the air temperature (-8 ... -5 ° C), but also to cold winds.

Nature

Estonia is a country with a truly wonderful nature. Blooming spring, bright summer, lush autumn and snowy winter - every season in Estonia is beautiful and unique in its own way.

This country combines pine forests and sea sandy beaches, rich therapeutic mud and crystal clear clear lakes. It is worth noting that Estonians are very respectful of nature: land reclamation is not carried out here, forests are not massively cut down. Therefore, nature here is pristine and impressively magnificent.

But not only forests are the untouched value of the Estonian people. The river system is also little changed by human activity. The special value of Estonia is the lakes. There are about 1500 of them in this country. Also in Estonia there are thousands of small, neat reservoirs and swamp lakes. The fifth largest lake in all of Europe is located here. This Lake Peipsi. It is famous for the battle of the Russian prince Alexander Nevsky.

Estonia has a very rich world of animals and plants. Approximately 2000 years ago, the entire territory of Estonia was covered with forests. Today, forests that provide shelter and food for animals such as bears, wolves, lynxes, squirrels, moose, foxes make up 30% of Estonia. Rivers sheltered otters and minks, salmon and carps. The sea is rich in flounder and cod, sprat and herring, eel and salmon. Hundreds of bird species nest in Estonia. Here you can observe the life of wild animals and birds.

Attractions

Throughout Estonia, a large number of architectural monuments of the XII-XVI centuries have been preserved: castles, fortresses, ruins of fortifications. It is rich in exquisite cathedrals, majestic churches, luxurious churches. Each city is unique in its architectural uniqueness.

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is one of those cities that should be visited by anyone, even the most sophisticated tourist. Its Old Town, which has been towering here since the Middle Ages, is included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This part of the city is saturated with the spirit of the Middle Ages. There are no modern buildings here, and the Old Town itself is carefully protected and restored. By the way, many murals, frescoes, bas-reliefs and sculptural decorations were smeared with a decent layer of plaster during the Soviet era and restored quite recently by restorers.

The historical center of Tallinn is called Vyshhorod Castle. Dozens of buildings of the XIII-XVII centuries are included in this large-scale complex. The Vyshhorod castle is interesting because it "intertwined" the styles of architecture of different eras. Here you can meet "representatives" and Gothic, and classicism, and baroque. The most famous buildings of the complex are Toomkirk Dom Cathedral, fortress walls and Pikk Hermann Tower. Another significant attraction of the city is the Town Hall, built at the beginning of the 15th century. It is located on Raekoya square. The main decoration of the Town Hall is a weather vane depicting the symbol of Tallinn Old Thomas. There are a lot of museums in the capital that can acquaint an inquisitive tourist with the history of the city, traditions and culture of the country's inhabitants.

Narva. This city stands on the banks of the Narova River on the border of Estonia and Russia. This city is a meeting point of two cultures, two worlds: Catholic Europe and Orthodox Slavic East. From the ancients times city Narva was a center of trade and therefore many countries wanted to get it. Narva was in the possession of Denmark, Russia, Germany. All this left an imprint on the history and architectural art of the city.

In Narva, it is worth visiting Narva medieval castle. It was built in the XIII-XV centuries by the Danes. Significant cultural monument of the city - north yard, which is a kind of "time machine" in the medieval city of craftsmen. Here people walk in medieval clothes, the interior and tools are also from the Middle Ages. Tourists can even be taught some of the tricks of the craft they like. There are many majestic Orthodox and Lutheran cathedrals here. Museums and monuments of the city tell about the military past. The city is surrounded by amazingly beautiful nature. Not far from it, on the Narova River, the Narva waterfall “seething” is one of the largest waterfalls in Northern Europe.

Tartu is not only the second largest city in Estonia. But also one of oldest cities throughout the Baltics. Tartu is an "intellectual city". It was here that the first theater arose, many famous scientists were born and brought up. By the way, one of the first universities in Europe, the University of Tartu, was also built here. This city offers its guests a stroll through the Botanical Garden, visit many museums.

The islands of Estonia are a natural landmark of the country. On them you can see stone churches surrounded by rich forests, windmills in small settlements. Hiiumaa surprises with an old 600-year-old lighthouse 104 meters high. It is the third tallest lighthouse in the world.

Nutrition

Estonian cuisine is not very diverse and sophisticated. She absorbed elements of the culinary art of Germany, Russia, Sweden. Its distinctive feature is that any dish has an Estonian character. So, you can order pancakes, but they will not be the same as in Russia, they will have exactly the Estonian taste.

The food in this country is simple and uncomplicated. Most often it is boiled, without spices or with a small amount of spices. Therefore, if you are a fan of spicy food, Estonian cuisine is not for you.

Potatoes have a special place in Estonian cuisine. Soups, vegetable porridges, salads are prepared from it. Fish is also a very popular product. Due to the fact that Estonia has both access to the sea and inland river resources, here you can order dishes from river and sea fish. The most popular of them are sprat and herring. It is fried, boiled, baked, salted. But meat dishes are not so diverse. In addition, the meat here is almost never fried, but mostly boiled.

Estonian sweet dishes are jelly with whipped cream, hot apple casserole, pancakes with sweet fillings, cream with bread. Estonia produces extraordinarily delicious chocolate with various fillings, as well as the famous Estonian marzipan.

Beer is the national Estonian drink. Most popular light beer "Saku", and the dark "Saare". A special place in Estonian cuisine is occupied by mulled wine with various spices.

Accommodation

In Estonia, you can find a variety of accommodation options at a variety of prices. There are also inexpensive, but cozy rooms in small hotels, and luxurious rooms in luxury hotels. The cost of a room can be 50-250 € depending on the level of the hotel. In Estonia, hotels are divided according to international classification from 1 to 5 stars. But according to the law, such a division is carried out at the request of the hotel owner. Therefore, not all Estonian hotels have stars. Just because a hotel has no stars doesn't mean it's bad. It's just that its owner decided not to be classified.

The high standard of the hotel means that here you will find not only a roof over your head, but also a private bathroom and toilet, internet and telephone, a minibar and an in-room safe. Many extra-class hotels offer their guests spa services, a swimming pool, a sauna, gyms, and a restaurant.

Most often, breakfast is included in the price of a room of any level. However, this is not the case everywhere. Therefore, it is better to clarify in advance whether you need to pay for breakfast separately.

Recently, guest houses have been gaining the most popularity in this country. They are much cheaper than hotels, due to the simple interior and food for separate fee. Youth hostels are another type of affordable accommodation in Estonia. One room can accommodate a large number of people for a small fee. Only in this case you will have to use the common toilet and bathroom for everyone.

You can also rent an apartment or a house. The cost of such housing is different, it all depends on the conditions of residence. You can find an apartment for 50 € or 150 €. Very often, apartments are rented out in the old districts of cities, therefore, by renting such housing, you can fully plunge into the life of the city, feel its “spirit”.

Inexpensive, but "healthy" vacation awaits the tourist staying at the farm. Here you will be offered not only a wonderful cozy room for an overnight stay for 30-40 €, but also a traditional breakfast will be served, local stories will be told, and local culture will be introduced.

Entertainment and recreation

Estonia is a great place for a family vacation. There are no usual amusement parks in this country, but this will not hurt to spend an unforgettable vacation here. There are a lot of amusement parks in Estonia. In them you can walk and ride bicycles, have a picnic and swim in the sea. The country offers a very rich selection of entertainment for children of all ages. For lovers active rest with the spirit of history, we advise you to visit the Viking village. Here tourists are offered to get acquainted with the buildings of the 8th-11th centuries, to shoot from a bow, to go canoeing on the river. Many recreation parks are equipped with hiking trails at various heights, mini-golf courses.

Beach holidays are also not alien to Estonia. Resorts Pärnu, Toila, Haapsalu, Narva and others offer amazing beaches to their guests. Sea air combined with pine forest creates a special unique healing microclimate. And the gentle yellow sand attracts you to lie down and soak up the sun. In addition, there are volleyball courts, swimming pools for the smallest, attractions and even water parks.

Many resorts contribute not only to the relaxation and recreation of tourists, but also to recovery. The healing muds of Estonia have been famous since tsarist Russia. Modern spas are happy to provide you with natural rejuvenation and healing services. Therapeutic beaches located on the shore of mirror lakes Varska And Puhajärve.

For those who prefer ski holidays, Estonia can offer the most famous resort in the mountains - Otepaa with its surroundings. Here you can go skiing or snowboarding. And it's at a very nice price.

Estonians are lovers of festivals. Every month in this country you can get to one of the festivals. The Baltic Folk Festival and the Beer Festival are held annually in July, the Estonian Film Week in March, the International Organ Music Festival in August, and the Jazz Festival in February. In Estonia, you can visit festivals with elements of folklore, theatrical art, and many others.

Purchases

Estonia is a true paradise for shoppers. Prices here are much lower than in other countries. Therefore, in Estonian stores you can meet Russians, Finns, and Latvians. Here they accept payment both through bank transfer with Visa or Mastercard (Eurocard) cards, and in cash.

Large shops and shopping centers are open 7 days a week from 09:00 to 22:00, small shops and merchants are open from Monday to Friday, usually from 09:00 to 18:00, and on Saturday until 15:00. Most shopping centers have their own free parking, free Wi-Fi, cafes and restaurants, banks. Some centers even offer caregiver services: parents can leave their child in the playroom for a small fee.

In Estonia, you can buy old books and icons, antique furniture and interior items, textiles and handmade wool products. An excellent souvenir from Estonia will be handmade items made of fabric, wool or wood, ceramics or glass, unique chocolate, marzipan and cheese. And Estonian amber will be a vivid reminder of a unique holiday in this amazing country.

Transport

Estonia is a small country, but with a highly developed transport links. Here you can ride both by bus and by train, see the country from a bird's eye view and go on a trip by sea.

Estonia has a number domestic flights. Basically, they are carried out from Tallinn to distant cities several times a day. Flight duration is not more than an hour. In Estonia, the airport in Tallinn has international status, and there are regional airports in Pärnu, Tartu, on the islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa.

Buses are the most common mode of transport in the country. It is worth noting that Estonian buses are very comfortable, and the schedule is observed to the nearest minute. Regular buses between cities - the most cheap look transport. Trams and trolleybuses also run around the cities.

Public transport starts at 05:30. And travels around the city until 24:00. During public holidays public transport operates on a Sunday schedule. For intracity modes of transport, you can purchase tickets for one trip (from drivers or in special places), as well as travel cards for an hour or a certain number of trips.

And here Railway Estonia is not so developed. Now trains connect major cities of the country and carry passengers several times a day. By the way, you can get from Moscow to Tallinn by train in 15 hours.

The cost of a taxi ride is low, here taxi drivers take their passengers only according to the meter. Finding out the price list is very simple: just look at the side window of the passenger door of the car.

It is convenient to travel around Estonia by car. The roads are good, except in the countryside. You must have an international driver's license, a vehicle registration certificate, international insurance and a passport. With the same set of documents, you can rent a car. Just be aware that you may be required to pay a deposit.

The ferry is an interesting, popular type of transport in Estonia and not common in other countries. At the same time, he offers great opportunities for travelers. A ferry connects Tallinn with Helsinki and Stockholm. commit in the summer cruise You can take the ferry several times a day.

An impressive sight opens up to travelers when crossing the sea on a ferry at night. To travel by ferry, you must have your passport with you.

Connection

Telephone communication is very well developed in Estonian cities. Telephone booths are located everywhere. The call quality is excellent, and the connection is fast enough. Calls from pay phones can only be made using a special card with a face value of $30, $50 or €100. You can buy such a card at any newsstand.

Mobile communication is also widespread. Three operators offer this type of communication service: EMT, TELE2 and Radiolinja. These service providers cover the entire territory of Estonia with a mobile network, including numerous islands and sea areas. You can buy a SIM card from one of the mobile operators at R-kiosks or information points of shopping centers for only 10 €.

Estonia is an "electronic" state, all documentation is kept in electronic form. Almost everywhere you can get free access to the World Wide Web, be it a cafe, hotel, airport or library, where, by the way, you will be offered to use your computers for free. Internet cafes can be found in major cities. Using its services will cost 2-3 € per hour.

Post offices offer telephone services to their customers, as well as inexpensive commemorative postcards and their forwarding. On Saturday, the post office works, but on a reduced schedule. But on Sunday it is closed.

Safety

Despite the fact that the crime rate in Estonia is relatively low, we advise you to leave valuables, large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe. Keep in mind that pickpockets most often operate during festivals or performances, in crowded places.

Business climate

Estonia ranks 17th in the ease of doing business ranking. You can open a business here for a foreigner in just one day. The attractiveness of doing business in Estonia is that the income tax rate is 0%. Thanks to this, all free funds can be directed to the development and expansion own business. An analogue of the Russian VAT - turnover tax - is paid only by organizations whose income exceeded 16,000 €. His rate is 20%. Estonia has a highly developed banking infrastructure. All payments are made electronically, bypassing the paper basis.

Real estate

It is allowed to buy real estate in Estonia foreign citizens. It is worth noting that their rights in carrying out such a transaction are not inferior to the rights of Estonian citizens. The specifics of the registration of the purchase and sale of a property is that any document, whether it be a contract, a preliminary agreement or a power of attorney, must be signed and registered with a notary. In the absence of at least one signature of a notary, the transaction may be terminated. In addition, any transfer of money, including the security deposit, takes place under the supervision of a notary. These services are not free: their cost depends on the complexity. The minimum amount is 100 €. All contracts are drawn up in Estonian.

Money for real estate can be paid in whole and at once or in parts. As a rule, the first installment is 10-20% of the cost. In addition to the real estate itself and notary services, you also need to pay a fee for making an entry in the real estate book, as well as realtor services (2-5% of the property price).

Real estate prices in Estonia vary depending on its location and condition. You can find an apartment in small town for €3,000 or €70,000 in Tallinn, a villa for €30,000 or €3,000,000.

Here are some tips for travelers in Estonia:

• Tips are usually included in the cost of the service, but you can reward the employee for good service.
• Pharmacies are open from 10:00 to 19:00, and on duty are open around the clock. Conventional drugs can be purchased without problems, but without a doctor's prescription, drugs dispensed only in this way will not be sold to you.
• Do not appear on the street in a state of intoxication. In Estonia, this is punished with heavy fines.
• Hailing a taxi while voting on the road is not customary in Estonia. This is a country of advanced technologies. You can order a taxi online or by phone.
• Currency exchange can be done in banks, hotels, exchange offices. Banks are open 6 days a week from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 15:00 on Saturday.
• In the event of an emergency, you must call the correct emergency number. Here are the main phone numbers:

110 - police

112 - rescue service (fire department and ambulance)

1188 - paid help desk.

Obey Estonian traffic rules: the speed limit in settlements- 50 km / h, outside the city - 90 km / h, and on the highway - 110 km / h. Do not exceed 30 km/h in residential areas. Violation of these rules will result in a hefty fine. Speeding can cost you between 120€ and 800€. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine of 400 € to 1200 €, as well as deprivation driving license up to a year. Low beam must be on 24 hours a day all year round. The penalty for non-compliance with this rule can be 200 €. Also in Estonia it is forbidden to talk on the phone while driving and to drive without using seat belts.

Smoking in Estonia is allowed only in designated areas. The same applies to the prohibition of drinking alcoholic beverages.

You cannot bring into Estonia and take out of it undeclared amounts of money more than 10,000 €. Sometimes, when entering the country, it is necessary to prove to the border guard that there is enough money to live in Estonia (56 € per day). From Russia it is forbidden to import meat and dairy products, honey, oysters and mussels, caviar and fish. Duty-free allowed to take to Estonia 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, up to 2 liters of wine, up to 10 liters of beer. You can import weapons only with the appropriate permission.

Visa Information

Estonia is a member of the Schengen Agreement. Therefore, when entering this country, you must apply for a Schengen visa. There are the following types of visas to Estonia:

• an airport transit visa (type A) is issued for transit through the airport's international transit area;
• transit visa (type B) for transit through the territory of Estonia (up to 5 calendar days);
• short-term visa (type C) for single or multiple entry into the country;
• long-stay visa (type D) for certain persons.

To obtain a type C visa, it is necessary to issue a standard set of documents. It is impossible to obtain a short-term visa without paying consular fee in the amount of 35 €. And for those who need to get a visa in a short time, you will have to pay a double fee (70 €) for urgency. Documents for an Estonian visa can be submitted to the consular departments in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

The consular section of the Estonian Embassy in Moscow is located at Kalashny per., 8, tel. (495) 737‑36‑48.

Open from 08:30 to 17:00 every weekday.

In St. Petersburg, you can find the consular department at st. Bolshaya Monetnaya, 14, tel. (812) 702‑09‑24, working hours: 08:30‑17:00 on weekdays.