This spectacular, onion-domed structure perched atop Toompea Hill is Estonia's main Russian Orthodox cathedral.
Built in 1900, when Estonia was part of the tsarist Russian empire, the cathedral was originally intended as a symbol of the empire's dominance – both religious and political – over this increasingly unruly Baltic territory.
It's also by far the grandest, most opulent Orthodox church in Tallinn.
The cathedral was dedicated to the Prince of Novgorod, Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky, who led the famous Battle of the Ice at Lake Peipsi in 1242, which halted the German crusaders' eastward advance. It was deliberately placed in this prominent location right in front of Toompea Castle, on the same spot where a statue of Martin Luther had previously stood.
Now with the controversy long since faded, what's left is simply an architectural masterpiece. Designed by respected St. Petersburg architect Mikhail Preobrazhenski, the church is richly decorated in a mixed historicist style. The interior, filled with mosaics and icons, is well worth a visit.
The church's towers' hold Tallinn's most powerful church bell ensemble, consisting of 11 bells, including the largest in Tallinn, weighing 15 tonnes. You can hear the entire ensemble playing before each service.
Location: Pikk 70, Kesklinn, Tallinn, Harjumaa, 10133
Standing guard at the north end of Pikk street are two of Tallinn's most impressive defensive structures, the Great Coastal Gate (Suur Rannavärav) and Fat Margaret tower (Paks Margareeta).
They were built not only to defend the city from the seaw...
The Estonian Maritime Museum’s ships are truly a treat for all lovers of maritime history and equipment. The submarine Lembit, which was built in 1936, was part of the pre-WWII Baltic Navy. The Suur Tõll, built in 1914, is the largest surviving steam-dr...
Location: Narva mnt 95, Pirita, Tallinn, Harjumaa, 10127
Built in1959, Tallinn Song Festival Ground is popular events venue, which most of all is known as a place, where after every 5 years takes place Song Festival, where nearly 25 000 singers participate and has audience of nearly 100 000 people. ...
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