Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia

Ancient town walls, old churches, graceful steeples, twisty cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs, and imposing towers reveal German, Swedish, and Russian architectural influences.

The skyline includes St. Olav's Church, which with its steeple was once the tallest building in the world.

Tallinn, capital of the independent republic of Estonia, was one of the largest cities in Europe in the Middle Ages and a key trading city of the Hanseatic League. The exceptionally well-preserved Old Town has earned Tallinn a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, Tallinn is home to almost a third of Estonia's population.

The fortress on Castle Hill and many ancient protective bastions stand as a historical tribute to a time, in the 15th century, when Tallinn was heavily fortified.