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Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in the old town of Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Heather Casey.

Old Town Tallinn – Pic of the Week

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As part of my travels this summer, I visited the historic old town of Tallinn, Estonia, which is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. UNESCO has designated the old town as a World Heritage site under criteria (ii) and (iv).

A winding road in Old Town Tallinn
One of many winding roads in the old town of Tallinn. Photo by Heather Casey.

Criteria (ii) designates places that

“exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design,”

while criteria (iv) applies to places that are

“an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history.”

Old town hall, Tallinn
The old town hall of Tallinn, where city leaders met from the 1300s through the 1970s to manage the city. Photo by Heather Casey.
A view of the town hall from one of the narrow roads leading to the old town square.
A view of the town hall from one of the narrow roads leading to the old town square. Photo by Heather Casey.

Tallinn’s old town is not just a great example of northern European medieval architecture – it was also a significant port used by the Hanseatic League starting in the late 1200s. The Hanseatic League began as a group of German merchants who banded together to protect their mutual trading interests. From there, it grew into what some historians postulate was a medieval precursor to the European Union.

Overlooking the medieval town of Tallinn with the modern town in the distance.
Overlooking the medieval town of Tallinn, with the modern town in the distance. Photo by Heather Casey.

While Tallinn has a rich history, it is also a vibrant, modern hub, sometimes referred to as the Silicon Valley of Europe because it has the highest number of start-ups per person and is the home of several tech companies. More broadly, Estonia and the other Baltic states are recognized for how they have embraced e-governance.

Have you visited Estonia or the other Baltic states? Let us know in the comments!

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