Our exploratory tour continued through the Old Town Square up a steep cobbled stone street to Toompea Hill with hours worth of sights on this hill alone. Toompea is filled with medieval houses and alleyways with colorful houses that reflect German, Scandinavian and Russian periods in Tallinn’s history. Toompea Hill was originally the site of the Danish castle and home to the Danish aristocracy (now many embassies also live on Toompea Hill) while the riffraff lived in the lower town at the foot of the hill. The Danes founded Tallinn in 1219 and Toompea Hill (also referred to as “Cathedral Hill”) is still the seat of the central authority. The old Estonian Royal Palace is now the pink Parliament building on the same square as Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. After the Danish came the Teutonic Order of Livonia, followed by the Swedes and then Russians.

Through the Long Leg Gate and along steep Pikk Street with artists along the route exhibiting and painting until the onion-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral appeared directly in front of us. This classic Russian Orthodox Church wasn’t built until the 19th century and is extremely picturesque. It has been restored, bells and all, freshly painted…View image… and services were going on inside.

pass through the Long Leg Gate Tower up to Toompea Hill, Tallinn, Estonia 

artist on the route to Toompea Hill, Tallinn, Estonia 

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn, Estonia
Just a few more sights before heading back to the Reval Hotel Central to collapse. Past the Dome School that exclusively taught sons of Knights…View image, and the great wrought iron sign of the former Dramatic Musical Theater School 1920-1977.

Dramatic Musical Theater School historical monument, Tallinn, Estonia
The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin, also known as Dome Church, was originally established by Danes in the 13th century and is the oldest church in Tallinn…View image. Originally Catholic, it is now Lutheran and from here we stopped to sit and admire the views of Old Tallinn on the Baltic Sea from one of the viewpoints. A few of the more than 20 ferries a day to Helsinki (a short 80 km/50 miles away) were visible and the scenery incredible. Tallinn, is the capital of Estonia and I had seriously toyed with spending a day or two in Helsinki but Finland’s reputation as an extremely expensive city deterred me. Crossed it off my “to-do” list….for now.

Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin – Dome Church, Tallinn, Estonia
Completely exhausted, we walked back through charming Tallinn to the hotel and waited for the Explore orientation to begin.

Last Minute Flight Deals on Orbitz: Fly this weekend and SAVE BIG!