| Kalamaja (Tallinn) | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Estonia |
|---|---|
| Region | Northern Estonia |
Kalamaja is a district of the city of Tallinn.
To know
Kalamaja is famous for its old wooden houses built in the second half of the 19th century, when the industrial revolution appeared in Tallinn thanks to the inauguration of the railway that connected it to St.Pietroburgo.
Different in style from the Russian ones of the same period and more similar to those Scandinavians and in particular Finns, many of the wooden buildings of Kalamaja are now used as lofts or tourist accommodation and in some cases declared national monuments and transformed into museums.
Today Kalamaja is a tourist district, an alternative to the neighboring one old City, crowded until unbelievable during the summer. The southern area around the Baltic station and Kopli street is the favorite area of hipsters while the northern part overlooking the old port and the stretch of waterfront to the west has a more distinctly bourgeois character with a tendency to become more and more elitist thanks to meticulous works of restoration which involved factories, shipyards of the early 1900s and dilapidated Soviet-era condominiums. This is where most of the tourist attractions of Kalamaja are concentrated, included in tourist itineraries to be carried out individually on foot or by tourist bus tours.
Background
Kalamaja is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tallinn: it is likely that it arose already in the thirteenth century by peasants Estonians who wanted to escape the oppression of the newcomers, feudal lords of Danish and German nationality perched on the nearby hill of Toompea. Since Kalamaja was located just outside the ancient walls at the time, the peasants were forbidden to keep flocks and herds grazing in order not to hinder the task of the guards who from the towers guarded the area outside the walls day and night to prevent any enemy attacks from the sea or land. The measure favored the transformation of peasants into boatmen who lived off fishing as the name of Kalamaja, which means "house of fish", attests. The catch was sold at the local market.
In the sixteenth century, the epidemics brought by the soldiers swedes in course of first northern war decimated the local population, while the Great Northern War (1700-1721) led to the almost total destruction of the neighborhood. At the end of the war, the new ruler, the Tsar of Russia Peter I, ordered the arrangement of the military port and the creation of defensive batteries. The first Russification of Kalamaja dates back to that time: numerous barracks were built around the port to accommodate the Tsarist troops stationed in Tallinn.
The port district suffered other destructions during the Crimean war (1853-1856): fearing a landing by the English navy, i Russians made Kalamaja a scorched earth following a previously tried and tested tactic successfully against Napoleon I's invading army. It was, however, a futile experiment because the British troops never landed at Tallinn.
In the second half of the 19th century, Kalamaja was transformed from a military fortress into an industrial suburb of Tallinn, favored in this by the inauguration of the railway that departed from St.Pietroburgo and ended right in Kalamaja. Later the railway was extended to the two industrial ports located a little further north. In 1861 the Wiegand workshops were built and four years later the gas production plant. The industries Franz Krull (1875) and Lausmann (1881) followed, both aimed at the production of steam-driven locomotives and various machinery and finally the "Volta" power plant of 1900. Kalamaja became a proletarian district that saw the proliferation of wooden houses with two or three floors to which today it owes its fame.
The first workers' houses were rather precarious constructions and lacking essential comforts for which Kalamaja soon gained the reputation of a squalid and smelly suburban neighborhood. At the beginning of the twentieth century, stone was introduced but only for some parts of the buildings such as foundations, stairs and load-bearing walls. On the initiative of the mayor of the time, Voldemar Lender, the first examples of large-scale social housing were built. These condominiums are called "lenders", named after the mayor.
After the Second World War, the housing level of the neighborhood remained low so it was decided to tear down several wooden houses to make way for multi-storey buildings. Only after the restoration of the independence ofEstonia on 20 August 1991 the value of the old wooden houses was understood and careful restoration projects were launched. The realization of these projects led to a revaluation of the district also at the tourist level. The construction of high-class houses with a view of the sea in the area around the old port dates back to the early 21st century. Peter the Great.
How to orient yourself
Kalamaja: full screen map.How to get
How to get around
What see
- 1 Seaplanes harbor (Lennusadam), Vesilennuki 6, ☎ 372 620 0545.
Tue-Sun 10 am-6pm. The hangars built in 1917 to accommodate the seaplane fleet, have housed most of the collections of the Estonian maritime museum (Eesti Meremuuseum). Since its inauguration the museum is one of the most visited in Tallinn. The hangars have a total area of 8,000 m² and their restoration, financed by the European community, lasted 2 years.
Tue-Sun 10 am-6pm. The hangars built in 1917 to accommodate the seaplane fleet, have housed most of the collections of the - The museum's main attraction is the Lembit submarine moored in the nearby dock. The unit was ordered in 1936 by the government Estonian to shipyards Vickers-Armstrongs of the UK. Other hulls at anchor in the dock are the 1914 steam-powered icebreaker "Suur Tõll", the 1967 EML Kalev (M414) minesweeper, two examples of Soviet Zhuk-class coastguard ships, etc.
- In front of the entrance to the hangars, military vehicles of different types are exhibited while inside are the wreck of the wooden ship Maasilinn of the sixteenth century and another submarine that can be inspected at will in all its parts. A permanent exhibition illustrates the causes of the shipwreck of MS Estonia ferry which took place in 1994.
- There are many multimedia screens available to children with flight simulation and underwater navigation programs. The little ones can also have fun by placing remote-controlled model ships in a special tank.
- 2 Noblessner Yards (Noblessneri laevatehas) (Next to the maritime museum). A complex of shipyards set up in 1913 and aimed at the production and maintenance of submarines. They are called this because one of the owners was Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist inventor of dynamite and creator of the award that bears his name.
- The complex included, in addition to the shipyards, a foundry of non-ferrous materials, an assembly plant, a power plant, a water tank, warehouses, administrative and residential buildings for the families of the engineers.
- The yards ceased their activities in 1927 after declaring bankruptcy but were put back into operation in 1955. After the definitive closure in 2001 due to the bankruptcy of the company that managed it, the complex was acquired by the Estonian group BLRT, one of the largest industries. naval vessels of the Baltic area which carried out careful restoration of the whole complex, transforming, among other things, the dock into a tourist port (Noblessneri sadam) and the old hangars in the theater.
.JPG/220px-Linnahall_(by_Pudelek).JPG)
- 3 Linnahall, Mere pst. 20 (In the port area just outside the ancient walls Bus 3). A mammoth relic in reinforced concrete from the Soviet era that today is in a state of serious neglect. It was built for the sailing competitions that took place in Tallinn as part of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
- The work is a prominent example of the architectural style known as Brutalism and bears the signature of two famous architects of the time, Raine Karp and Riina Altmäe.
- In Soviet times, the structure was known as the "Lenin Palace of Culture and Sports" and the huge indoor hall was used for concerts and figure skating competitions until 2010. Despite the decay it experienced after its permanent closure, the tourists have the habit of walking along the terrace that acts as a cover to admire the view of the port from above.
- 4 Former power station (Tallinna elektrijaam). The power plant was in operation from 1913 to 1979. It was the backdrop to some scenes in the film Stalker by Andreï Tarkovski. Since 1984 it has housed the energy museum and the cultural center Kultuurikatel.
- 5 Central prison (Keskvangla), Kalaranna 2, ☎ 372 5046536. Tue-Sat 09: 00-17: 00. Also known as Patarei Prison (Patarei Vangla) was originally a fortress built by Tsar Nicholas I in 1829 to protect the city from sea attacks. After World War II it was used as a prison where dissidents of the Soviet regime were detained and investigated. The penitentiary was closed in 2006 and made available to the Estonian Academy of Arts. However, the complex was never used due to its poor condition. In 2004, the government made an auction attempt, which failed due to the too high starting price.
What to do
- 1 Telliskivi Creative City (Telliskivi Loomelinnak), Telliskivi 60a, ☎ 372 520 4791. Mon-Sun 00: 00-24: 00. A recreational complex set up in a former locomotive depot. In addition to a hundred workshops, the complex houses seven restaurants, two theaters, conference and seminar rooms. The center is the promoter of a large number of cultural shows and events such as the Telliskivi Dance Festival, the Tallinn Street Food Festival, the Telliskivi Flea Festival and the Telliskivi Hide Party.
- 2 Kalma Saun, Vana-Kalamaja 9a, ☎ 372 627 1811. Mon-Fri 11: 00-22: 00, Sat-Sun 10: 00-23: 00. It is the most popular sauna in Tallinn and also the oldest one still in operation, having been inaugurated in 1928.
Shopping
- 1 Balti Jaama Turg, Kopli 1 (Kalamaja district, near the central station), ☎ 372 515 7211. Mon-Sat 09: 00-19: 00, Sun 09: 00-17: 00. A nice market similar to the Anglo-Saxon ones of the early twentieth century and obviously aimed at passing tourists. Many stands exhibit modern antiques, period clothing and various trinkets but there are not many fruit and vegetable stalls. Several stands offer various appetizers, local pastries and espresso (Illy cafe).
- 2 Fish market (Kalaturg), Kalaranna 1, ☎ 372 615 0054. Sat 10: 00-16: 00. Fresh and smoked fish sold by local fishermen.
- 3 Arsenal, Erika 14, ☎ 372 772 3323. Mon-Sun 10: 00-22: 00. A small shopping center with a supermarket, several shops, including a fishmonger and a bakery from the Kalamaja Pagarikoda chain. There are also snack bars and dining options.
- 4 Põhja Rimi super, Põhja puiestee 17, ☎ 372 641 2000. Mon-Sun 08: 00-23: 00. Supermarket of the chain of the same name, also frequented by tourists who have chosen accommodation in one of the many private accommodations in Kalamaja. Inside there is a fruit and vegetable department, a flower shop and a pharmacy.
- 5 Telliskivi Rimi, Telliskivi 61, ☎ 372 627 0091. Mon-Sun 08: 00-22: 00. Another Rimi supermarket in the central station area.
How to have fun
- 1 Erinevate Tubade Klubi (Club of Different Rooms), Telliskivi 60-A1, ☎ 372 600 1090.
- 2 Pudel, Telliskivi 60A, ☎ 372 5866 4496. Mon-Wed 16: 00–00: 00 Thu-Sat 16: 00–02: 00 Sun 16: 00–00: 00. The first gourmet-bar dedicated to beer. Great selection.
- 3 St. Vitus, Telliskivi 61b, ☎ 372 655 5354. Another temple dedicated to beer.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- 1 F-Hoone, Telliskivi 60a, ☎ 372 5322 6855.
- 2 Kaja Pizza Köök, Õle 33, ☎ 372 660 1611. Mon-Sun 11: 30-18: 00. Pizzas made as in the beautiful one Naples and even better. Although it remains a bit out of the way, the pizzeria has been so successful that it is often forced to close for a couple of hours because they run out of ingredients.
- 3 Kalamaja Pagarikoda, Erika 14, ☎ 372 5556 9013. Mon-Sat 08: 00-19: 00, Sun 10: 00-17: 00. A baker discovered by hipsters who especially appreciate the sweets and pastries for breakfast. In fact, the restaurant has tables and hot drinks are served on request. The assortment includes, in addition to traditional Estonian bread, French baguettes and croissants.
Average prices
- 4 Boheem, Kopli 18, ☎ 372 631-19-28. Mon-Fri 9: 00-23: 00, Sat-Sun 10: 00-23: 00. A coffee (Kohvik) on the ground floor of an old wooden house. It is a favorite of hipsters. Here you can enjoy Estonian cuisine such as buckwheat polenta but also salads, pizzas and dry pasta.
- 5 Kohvik Moon, Võrgu 3, ☎ 372 631 4575. Mon-Sat 12: 00-23: 00, Sun 13: 00-21: 00. Modern cuisine restaurant. The Moon's chef reinterprets simple traditional recipes in a whimsical way. His most popular "experiments" are buckwheat pancakes served alongside local fish dishes. The portions are more than generous. Moon is a renowned restaurant for which it is advisable to book a table not only for dinner but also for lunch.
- 6 Sesoon, Niine 11, ☎ 372 5866 5558. Mon-Wed 11: 00-15: 00, Thu-Sat 11: 00-23: 00, Sun 11: 00-16: 00. A kohvik hidden in the courtyard of an apartment building, highly regarded for its culinary delights and able to rival the best restaurants in the old City but at the same time infinitely cheaper.
- The menu changes according to the season and the ingredients available and the cuisine is European in the broadest sense of the term. On Sundays a brunch is offered at the price of € 14 per person (year 2019). You serve yourself at the buffet by taking the various portions in quantities of your choice.
- 7 , Soo 1b / 6, ☎ 372 660 1212. Mon-Fri 12: 00-22: 00, Sat 12: 00-23: 00, Sun 12: 00-22: 00. Renowned for the variety of burgers accompanied by equally varied sauces such as truffle mayonnaise. Side dishes of spicy roasted potatoes and onions with cheese sauces.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 Fat Margaret's, Pohja puiestee 27, ☎ 372 510 0916.
Average prices
- 2 GO Hotel Snelli, Toompuiestee 37 (Near the train station and the park of the same name), ☎ 372 631 0100.
