Kesklinn - Kesklinn

Kesklinn (Literally: "city center") is the central district of the city of Tallinn.

To know

The central district is very extensive and also includes the islet of Aegna of only 3 km², a destination for campers reached in the summer months by a ferry service. The southern part of the district is entirely occupied by the Ülemiste lake on whose north-eastern bank the international airport runway ends.Unfortunately the modern center that extends all around the old city has not very pleasant buildings built according to the typical building canons popular Soviet-era structures which were superimposed on modern glass and steel structures dating back to the years of the economic boom following the proclamation of the independence ofEstonia.

How to orient yourself

The centerpiece of the modern center is the Vabaduse väljak (Piazza della Libertà), on the southern edge of the old City. The square is crossed by the Pärnu avenue coming from the southern sector of the center and ending a little further north in the other square called Viru väljak where is the complex consisting of the homonymous hotel and shopping center.

The Narva maantee begins from Viru square, the main avenue of the center that points east towards Kadriorg.

Neighborhoods

• Old City (Vanalinn) - Very well preserved, the old City is the most visited area of Tallinn. In 1997 it was included in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. Especially during the summer the old town is full of tourists many of whom are day or three day hikers from Helsinki which are added to those reached Tallinn with one of several low-cost airline flights. When some cruise ships arrive, the area is literally clogged with tourists.

• Kadriorg - It is the eastern district of the center, stretched for km on the bay of Tallinn up to the borders with the district of Pirita. There is one of the major attractions of the city, the palace built by Tsar Peter the Great, where today some of the collections of the Estonian Museum of Art are exhibited to the public.

• Rotermann district (Rotermanni kvartal) - The small neighborhood north of the central Viru square, separated from the Old City from Viale Mere traveled by trams of lines 1 and 2. The neighborhood is very popular with foreign visitors because of its old houses in local gray stone (dolomite), many of which have been used as bars and restaurants obviously aimed at passing tourists .

• Tõnismäe (Sant'Antonio Hill) - The hilltop neighborhood south of Toompea where in 1944 the Soviet military cemetery and a war memorial known as the "bronze soldier" were set up. After the restoration of independence, the Estonian government made the controversial decision to transfer the monument and burials to the military cemetery on Tartu Street.

How to get

The main and only node of the tram network is the stop on the avenue (maantee) Narva, at the intersection with the street (tänav) Hobujaama. As of 2019 the lines were the following four:

• Line 1 - Line 1 trams come from Kopli, cross the district of Kalamaja thus skirting the north and north and north-east sides of the Old City. After having covered a stretch of the Narva avenue, they end up at the park Kadriorg.

• Line 2 - The trams of line 2 share a common route with those of line 1 from the Kopli terminus to the Hobujaama junction, after which they continue towards the popular Lasnamäe district.

• Line 3 - Line 3 trams come from the southern sector of the center and run along Pärnu boulevard bordering the south-east side of the old town. After the Hobujaama junction they continue on Narva avenue to the terminus of Kadriorg (route, the latter, in common with line 1).

• Line 4 - They share a route with the trams of line 3 to the Hobujaama interchange after which they continue towards the airport.

The main city bus terminus is located in the basement of the Viru shopping center.

How to get around

The trams, widely used by tourists as they touch the main points of interest, have a regular frequency while that of buses varies according to the lines. The times are indicated in tables present at each stop but to avoid wasting time you would do better to download on yours device an application like Moovit which provides information in real time.

What see

• 59.4337524.745371 Church of San Giovanni (Jaani kirik), Vabaduse väljak 1. Church consecrated to the Lutheran cult on December 17, 1867. It was built in neo-Gothic style based on the architect's project. Estonian Christoph August Gabler (1820 - 1884).

Inside we can distinguish the large altarpiece depicting the crucifixion and the stained glass windows with episodes from the life of St. John the Baptist and the Madonna.  

• 59.43405124.7433842 Victory Column of the Independence of Estonia (Vabadussõja võidusammas), Vabaduse väljak. Inaugurated in June 2009, the monument commemorates the fallen of the Estonian War of Independence of 1918-1920.

It consists of a 23 m high column. on top of which was placed the "Cross of Freedom", the highest honor for military value conferred by Estonia.  

• 59.43336624.750023 Museum of the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Panga muuseum), Estonia pst 11, ☎ 372 668 0760, @[email protected]. Free entry. Tue-Fri 12: 00-17: 00, Sat 11: 00-16: 00. Numismatic Museum inaugurated on 12 June 1997 and in 2011 moved to its current location in viale (puiestee) Estonia. The collections offer an overview of monetary circulation in Estonia from 1918 until the introduction of the euro and the role played by the Estonian central bank within the eurozone. The exhibits use modern interactive systems that explain the banking economy in the form of games.

The museum has a conference room and a shop where you can buy coins and banknotes that are no longer in circulation.

What is also essential for non-numismatics enthusiasts is the building that houses the museum, a 1904 construction built in the form of a medieval castle.  

• 59.440424.75654 Estonian Architecture Museum (Eesti Arhitektuurimuuseum), Ahtri 2, ☎ 372 625 7000. Wed-Fri 11: 00-18: 00, Sat-Sun 10: 00-18: 00. Museum established on January 1, 1991 with the aim of illustrating the urban development of the Estonian capital also with the aid of scale models. In 1996 the collections were moved to their current location in the Rotermann district, a stone building from 1908 that served as a salt deposit.

On this occasion, the old warehouse was completely renovated based on a project by architects Ülo Peil and Taso Mähar of the Urbel & Peil studio. The interior of the building was divided into several floors to allow the permanent display of the greatest number of objects.

The collections include, in addition to models of the city from past eras, a photographic archive and furniture coming mostly from the Luther factory  

• 59.43030624.7388895 National Library (Eesti Rahvusraamatukogu), Tõnismägi 2, ☎ 372 630 7611. Free entry. The building of the national library is a mammoth fortress-style structure, built between 1985 and 1993. The designer of the building was the architect Raine Karp, the same who built the equally mammoth Linnahall of Kalamaja.

The building has 8 floors, two of which are underground. It includes 20 reading rooms each with 600 seats, a large conference room and a theater room.

The entrance hall hosts an exhibition of photographic art and illustrated books and other, temporary, applied arts.

On the 3rd floor there are works by Eduard Wiiralt (1898-1954), the most famous graphic artist of theEstonia. Other smaller exhibitions take place on the fifth and sixth floors.  

• 59.43194424.7391676 Carlo's Church (Kaarli kirik), Toompuiestee 4, ☎ 372 619 9100. Church built between 1862 and 1870 on a project by Otto Pius Hippius and consecrated to the Lutheran cult. The temple was built on a pre-existing church of 1670, commissioned by the king SwedishCharles XI and dedicated to him. The only bells made in Stockholm remain of the 17th century wooden church.

The facade is in the neo-Romanesque style with a large rose window and flanked by two high towers.

The interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, has an apse and is decorated with a fresco by the painter Estonian Johann Köler (1826 - 1899), an exponent of the current "National Awakening", whose paintings are exhibited in the museum KUMI of Kadriorg.  

• 59.43264724.7394317 Museum of the occupation of Estonia (Okupatsioonide muuseum), Toompea 8 (Corner Kaarli Avenue). This contemporary history museum traces the period of foreign occupation from 1940 to 1991. It is a journey to the memory of the Estonian people not to forget the unjust oppression suffered in fifty years of foreign military occupations, with particular reference to the Soviet and Nazi regime.  

• 59.4296124.741098 Water Tower (Tõnismäe veetorn), Tõnismägi 12. 

• 59.4210124.744159 Luther factory (Lutheri vabrik), Vana-Lõuna 37.  

What to do

• 59.4393724.754361 KUULSAAL bowling, Mere puiestee 6, ☎ 372 661 6682. 

• 59.424624.77232 Skypark, Pärnu maantee 139e (Less than 300 m. from the Hallivanamehe stop), ☎ 372 656 8400. Mon-Fri 12: 00-22: 00, Sat-Sun 10: 00-22: 00. A children's playground in the Ülemiste lake area easily accessible from the center by public transport. An ideal place for families who encounter gloomy days.

While the children play, parents can enjoy the free wi-fi if they have run out of GB available to them. 

Shopping

Shopping centers

• 59.4362824.755671 Virus shopping mall (Keskus virus), Viru väljak 4/6, ☎ 372 610 1444. Mon-Sun 09: 00-21: 00. Inaugurated in 2004, Virus Keskus is the busiest shopping center in Tallinn, thanks also to its location in the center. It includes more than 100 shops including a very large bookshop (Rahva Raamat) and a range of services such as dry cleaners, leather repairs, mending, watch repairs and refills, beauty salons, hairdressers. There are also several restaurants of which the most refined is theAmps^{[link not working]} on the second floor, fast food (Hesburger) bars and ice cream parlors. In the basement is the main city bus terminus. The car park has the lowest prices in the center. 

• 59.4325924.762022 Stockmann Department Store, Liivalaia 53 (At 300 m. from the "Tornimäe" stop of the bus line 25 coming from the Viru center), ☎ 372 633 9539. Mon-Sat 09: 00-21: 00, Sun 10: 00-21: 00. Renowned Finnish department stores with international brands in the clothing, cosmetics and electronics sectors. There is also a food and fruit and vegetable department, beauty salons, an exchange office, several bars and a restaurant. 

• 59.4413124.762513 "Nautica" shopping center (Nautica keskus), Ahtri 9 (Pier D of the passenger port), ☎ 372 615 4170. Mon-Sun 09: 00-20: 00. Shopping center with 60 shops, a dozen bars, restaurants and a hypermarket on RIMI hyper. Inside there are also a casino with electronic roulette and slot machines, a virtual reality room and a mini golf course. 

Markets

• 59.4302924.766294 Central market (Keskturg), Keldrimäe 9, ☎ 372 660 6304. Mon-Fri 07: 00-18: 00, Sat 07: 00-17: 00, Sun 07: 00-16: 00. A little out of the way, the central market mainly sells food products but also flowers (only in summer) and apparently poor quality clothing. Many tourists go there with the idea of ​​finding a grandiose market following the example of that of Line but their expectations are disappointed. The Tallinn market is not very big and sellers and buyers are mostly Russian with little purchasing power. It might interest those who want to see the real Tallinn, off the beaten track but all in all a run-down place. There you will also find stands where you can enjoy various Estonian specialties such as smoked fish at a fraction of the price charged by the restaurants in the center but in winter many stalls are closed.  

How to have fun

Theaters

• 59.43472224.7508331 Estonian theater (Estonia teatrihoone), Estonia puiestee 4, ☎ 372 683 1201. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at no.2 of the boulevard (puiestee) Estonia, open from Tue to Sat from 11:00 to 19:00. It is home to the opera company, the state symphony orchestra and the national ballet company. The program is available on the theater website and includes operettas and concerts as well as operas and ballets.  

• 59.43222224.7447222 Russian theater, Vabaduse väljak 5, ☎ 372 611 4911. Dramatic art theater in the Russian language. Comedies by famous Russian authors such as Anton Chekhov and Alexander Griboyedov are staged. The theater is set up in an Art Deco building opened in 1926 as a cinema.  

Cinema

• 59.43822924.7566263 Coca-Cola Plaza (Cinemas Forum), Hobujaama 5, ☎ 372 680 0700. Cinema multiplex. Previously, films were almost always dubbed in Estonian or Russian with subtitles, now films screened in the original language with Estonian subtitles are more frequent. Features an area snacks, a dozen rooms including one with only 40 seats. Prices are low but the staff are rude.  

• 59.4329724.751914 Cinema Artis (Kino Artis), Estonia pst. 9, ☎ 372 663 1370.  

• 59.4280324.743935 Kosmos cinema (kino Kosmos).  

Sports shows

• 59.42129224.732056 A. Le Coq Arena, ☎ 372 627 9960. Football stadium that hosts the home matches of the Flora Tallinn team and the Estonian national team.  

Night clubs

• 59.4366324.75427 Café Amigo, Viru väljak 4, ☎ 372 680 9380. Tue-Sun 22: 00-04: 00. 

• 59.4387824.75498 Grand Shisha, Mere puiestee 4, ☎ 372 8898888. Mon-Thu 13: 00-23: 00, Fri-Sat 13: 00-02: 00, Sun 13: 00-23: 00. 

• Lounge 24, Rävala Puiestee 3, ☎ 372 682 3424. 12: 00–00: 00, Fri-Sat 12: 00–02: 00. Restaurant, bar on the top floor of the Radisson Blu Sky Hotel, with panoramic terrace. 

• 59.4392424.754379 Scotland Yard Pub, Mere puiestee 6, ☎ 372 653 5190. 

• 59.4370224.7526810 Venus Club, Vana-Viru 14, ☎ 372 551 9999. Tue-Sat 22: 00-04: 00. 

Where to eat

Moderate prices

• 59.4370824.763611 Kohvik Narva, Narva mnt 10. 

• 59.4337224.750752 Lido, Estonia puiestee 9, ☎ 372 609 3364. Mon-Sun 10: 00-22: 00. The venue inside the Solaris shopping center is part of a chain Latvian restaurant that successfully expanded into cities Estonians. The buffet is very varied and ranges from soups to crepes and meat dishes such as Beef Stroganoff. 

• 59.433124.747823 Mr. Mauruse Pub, Estonia pst 8 (near the library), ☎ 372 646 6047. Mon-Mar 11: 00-23: 00, Wed-Thu 11: 00-00: 00, Fri 11: 00-2: 00, Sat 13: 00-22: 00. Pub appreciated for the goodness of the dishes and for the generous portions. 

• 59.4293224.754094 Sõõrikukohvik, Kentmanni 21, ☎ 372 660 5002. Mon-Sun 08: 00-19: 00. Famous for delicious donuts (Donuts), Sõõrikukohvik (literal translation: "donut coffee") is probably the cheapest of the restaurants in Tallinn. In addition to having breakfast, you can enjoy Estonian and international dishes such as dry pastries, omelettes, chicken fillets, turkey, salads, etc. for lunch and dinner. at prices below € 5 (year 2019). 

Average prices

• 59.4292824.743785 Argentiina restoran, Pärnu maantee 37 (Kosmos stop, tram lines 3 and 4), ☎ 372 660 5177. Mon-Sun 12: 00-00: 00. For those who love grilled meats, fish, mushrooms and various vegetables. 
• 59.42924.744236 Estonian Burger Factory, Pärnu maantee 41a (Kosmos stop, tram lines 3 and 4), ☎ 372 5908 2626. Mon-Sun 12: 00-22: 00. If you like burgers, this is the best address in Tallinn. You will find the most varied types, including vegan and gluten-free and all of excellent taste. The price of each is around € 10 (year 2019) and side dishes (mostly chips) are not included. 
• 59.4385324.755437 Platz Restoran, Roseni 7, ☎ 372 664 5086. Mon-Sat 11: 30-23: 00, Sun 11: 30-22: 00. Restaurant in the Rotermann district and therefore with a clientele of foreign visitors. It stands out for the well-kept furnishings and the beautiful setting. The menu is based on seasonal ingredients and features vegetarian options such as burrata and tomatoes. 
• 59.4383724.757858 Taste of Asia (TOA), Rotermanni 2, ☎ 372 5687 8886. Mon-Thu 12: 00-23: 00, Fri-Sat 12: 00-00: 00, Sun 12: 00-23: 00. Asian restaurant with fusion cuisine. 

High prices

• 59.439824.754239 Restaurant Ö, Mere Puiestee 6e, ☎ 3726616150. 

• 59.4393324.7586810 Restoran Pull, Rotermanni 2, ☎ 372 5382 5000. Mon-Thu 12: 00-21: 00, Fri-Sat 12: 00-00: 00, Sun 13: 00-21: 00. 

Where stay

Moderate prices

• 59.431824.743271 Euphoria, Roosikrantsi 4, ☎ 372 5837 3602, @[email protected]. 

• 59.4323424.746532 Monk's Bunk, Tatars 1 (On the edge of the old town), ☎ 372 636 3924. 

Average prices

• 59.4395424.755023 Metropol Hotel, Roseni 13, ☎ 372 667 4500. 

• 59.437524.75524 Nordic Hotel Forum, Viru väljak 3, ☎ 372 622 2900, fax: 372 622 2901, @[email protected]. Double 80 €. Recently opened hotel. 

• 59.4377424.761435 Park Inn by Radisson Central Tallinn, Narva 7c, ☎ 372 633 9800. 

High prices

• 59.43658624.7550196 Viru hotels (Original Sokos Hotel Viru), Viru väljak 4, ☎ 372 680 9300. A hotel inaugurated on May 5, 1972 and entrusted to the management of Intourist, the Soviet tourism organization. It was the first skyscraper to be built in Estonia and has been an unmistakable part of Tallinn's cityscape ever since. In 2003, it was acquired by the Finnish group Sokos who restored it properly. It has 536 rooms of different types and is connected to the Viru Keskus shopping center.

In Soviet times, the 23rd floor housed KGB radio equipment, intended to eavesdrop and spy on the conversations and behavior of hotel guests. : Spy devices and microphones were hidden in hotel rooms and even under restaurant tables. The KGB left the hotel in a hurry in August 1991, a few days before the independence of Estonia. The listening center equipment was found three years later. Today the center was established in KGB museum (it is necessary to book the visit).  

• 59.4300924.757337 Radisson Blu Hotel Olümpia, Liivalaia 33, ☎ 372 631 5333.  

• 59.4334524.757798 Radisson Blu Sky Hotel, Rävala puiestee 3, ☎ 372 682 3000. 

• 59.4328124.76149 Swissotel, Tornimae 3.  

• 59.4320324.7431310 Santa Barbara hotels, Roosikrantsi 2a, ☎ 372 640 0040, fax: 372 640 0041. 

How to keep in touch

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