IAPL2012-CB-0531-052.. - The International Association for ...

IN AND AROUND TALLINN
GENERAL
Tallinn is a historic city dating back to the medieval times and it was first recorded
on a world map in 1154, although the first fortress was built on Toompea in 1050. In
1219, the city was conquered by Valdemar II of Denmark, but it was soon sold to the
Hanseatic League in 1285. The city, known as Reval at the time, prospered as a trading
town in the 14th century, and much of Tallinn’s historic center was built at this time.
Tallinn then became a pawn in the geopolitical games of its big neighbours, passing
into Swedish hands in 1561 and then to Russia under Peter the Great in 1710. By World
War I and the ensuing brief Estonian independence (starting 1918) Tallinn’s population
had reached 150,000.
Estonia was eventually occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, only to be conquered by
Nazi Germany (1941-44) and then retaken by the Soviets. In World War II, the city was
quite extensively bombed by the Soviets, although luckily the medieval town remains.
The Soviet Union undertook a program of massive Slavic migration, and just over 40%
of Tallinn’s current inhabitants are Slavic (compared to an average of 28% for the
entire country). On Aug 20, 1991, Estonia declared independence and Tallinn became
its capital once again.
Today, Tallinn is a bustling, gleaming metropolis of 400,000 people. However, among
the tall glassy buildings and corporate headquarters, Tallinn retains an inner charm
seldom found anywhere else. Estonia considers itself a Northern European/Scandinavian
country, with very close ties to Finland (ethnic, linguistic, and cultural), and visiting
Tallinn you will find a mix of at least three architectures in this very visual city —
old Europe (the city walls and rustic buildings), Soviet brutalist (crumbling apartment
blocks), and modern Europe (including McDonald’s next to the city walls!).
GETTING AROUND
The Old City is best navigated on foot, not that you have much choice. A network
of buses, trams and trolleybuses covers the rest of the city. There is an abundance
of relatively cheap taxis. Before you jump in a random taxi car make sure you check
the price on the window of the car. In Tallinn there are more than 20 different taxi
companies and some can be a rip-off.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
TAK operates frequent buses, trolleys, and trams between 6AM and 12AM. All modes
of public transport operate with the same tickets. Single tickets can be bought from
R-Kiosks or by mobile phones for €1, or from the drivers for €1.60. In addition the
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