PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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WOW! Tallinn looks spectacular! And whilst I'm not a marzipan person, I love the intricate decorations.
We are off to eat and drink around the world :)....
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dgbg100106
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Fun pictures. I'm not a huge marzipan fan, but the museum looked cute. At least you got a little touch of Disney in your report.
I forget - were you on a Costa ship?
no we were on a Celebrity ship... that is a nightmare what those people had to go through on that. A friend of ours just got off that same ship and same route two weeks ago... Whew...
dgbg100106
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wait for more of the picture... (like you guys have not been patient with me over this drawn out process) but it was the most medieval place I have ever been truly amazing.
dgbg100106
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We pop back on the street hungry now...
We find this place. I nice bakery with savory and sweet handmade fresh treats.
Here is the Marzipan we bought, we decided to eat first then have it as dessert. Man was this good, made with the local liquor from tallinn... I was hooked.
As we were strolling I am looking down the street and I tell my hubby, look down there isn't that an American Flag? he looks and proclaims, Yes I think it is.... As we are walking towards it, I say... Is that a Texas Flag next to it? DH... Ummm yeah that is. DH and I both are from Texas and miss it, so to see the flag in tallinn Estonia, we have to go see what it is about...
Check out the green box in the bottom right corner... This still makes me laugh.
This was a little confessional, I thought it was interesting.
Farther up Pikk, the fine Hall of the Black Heads Society (at #26) dates from 1440. For 500 years, until Hitler invited Estonian Germans back to their historical fatherland in the 1930s, this was a German merchants club.
Until the 19th century, Estonians were essentially serfs under German merchants who dominated the economy. The German big shots were part of the Great Guild, while the German little shots had to make do with the Black Heads Society. This was a union or business fraternity limited to single German men. In Hanseatic towns, when a fire or battle had to be fought, single men were deployed first, because they had no family. Single men were considered unattached to the community and therefore had no opportunity for power in the Hanseatic social structure. When a Black Head Society member married a local woman, he was considered to have a vested interest in the towns economy and well-being. He could then join the more prestigious Great Guild, and with that status, a promising future economically and politically often opened up.
Church of the Holy Ghost (Pühavaimu kirik): Sporting a great clock from 1633
Before 1991, things were designed for inner tourism (within the USSR). This church retains its 14th-century design. In back, the old flag of Tallinnthe same as todays red and white Danish flagrecalls the 13th-century Danish rule. (The name Tallinn means City of the Danes.) The Danes sold Tallinn to the German Teutonic Knights, who lost it to the Swedes, who lost it to the Russians. Except for two decades in the early 20th century, Tallinn remained Russian until Estonia regained its independence in 1991. The windows are mostly from the 1990s
We find this place. I nice bakery with savory and sweet handmade fresh treats.
Here is the Marzipan we bought, we decided to eat first then have it as dessert. Man was this good, made with the local liquor from tallinn... I was hooked.
As we were strolling I am looking down the street and I tell my hubby, look down there isn't that an American Flag? he looks and proclaims, Yes I think it is.... As we are walking towards it, I say... Is that a Texas Flag next to it? DH... Ummm yeah that is. DH and I both are from Texas and miss it, so to see the flag in tallinn Estonia, we have to go see what it is about...
Check out the green box in the bottom right corner... This still makes me laugh.
This was a little confessional, I thought it was interesting.
Farther up Pikk, the fine Hall of the Black Heads Society (at #26) dates from 1440. For 500 years, until Hitler invited Estonian Germans back to their historical fatherland in the 1930s, this was a German merchants club.
Until the 19th century, Estonians were essentially serfs under German merchants who dominated the economy. The German big shots were part of the Great Guild, while the German little shots had to make do with the Black Heads Society. This was a union or business fraternity limited to single German men. In Hanseatic towns, when a fire or battle had to be fought, single men were deployed first, because they had no family. Single men were considered unattached to the community and therefore had no opportunity for power in the Hanseatic social structure. When a Black Head Society member married a local woman, he was considered to have a vested interest in the towns economy and well-being. He could then join the more prestigious Great Guild, and with that status, a promising future economically and politically often opened up.
Church of the Holy Ghost (Pühavaimu kirik): Sporting a great clock from 1633
Before 1991, things were designed for inner tourism (within the USSR). This church retains its 14th-century design. In back, the old flag of Tallinnthe same as todays red and white Danish flagrecalls the 13th-century Danish rule. (The name Tallinn means City of the Danes.) The Danes sold Tallinn to the German Teutonic Knights, who lost it to the Swedes, who lost it to the Russians. Except for two decades in the early 20th century, Tallinn remained Russian until Estonia regained its independence in 1991. The windows are mostly from the 1990s
Pinkocto
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I love the dragons? on that one building. Very very cool. It's amazing how talented the builders were back then with probably much less sophisticated equipment than nowadays. I'm glad you guys finally were able to take it a little easy. But, then again, when you're somewhere you've never been before its good to make the most of it.
dgbg100106
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I agree, and that is part of the reason I am sitting here recovering from foot surgery...
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Amazing architecture and those dragons are beautiful.
dgbg100106
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tiny Saiakang lane (meaning White Breadbread, cakes, and pies have been sold here since medieval times)
Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats): A marketplace through the centuries, this is the natural springboard for Old Town explorations. The cancan of fine old buildings is a reminder that this was the center of the autonomous lower town, a merchant city of Hanseatic traders. Once this was the scene of criminals chained to pillories for public humiliation and knights showing off in chivalrous tournaments; today its full of Scandinavians savoring the cheap beer, children singing on the bandstand, and cruise-ship groups listening to their guides.
The picture above is the The 15th-century Town Hall (Raekoda) dominates the square; its now a museum, and climbing its tower earns a commanding view. On the opposite side of the square, across from #12 in the corner, the pharmacy (Raeapteek) dates from 1422 and claimsas do manyto be Europes oldest. While its still a functioning pharmacy, the decor goes back to medieval times and welcomes guests with painted ceiling beams, English descriptions, and long-expired aspirin
Wheel Well: The well is named for the high-tech wheel, a marvel that made fetching water easier. Most of the Old Towns buildings are truly old, dating from the 15th- and 16th-century boom-time. Decrepit before the 1991 fall of the USSR, Tallinn is now more affluent and has been quickly revitalized.
Rüütli street
St. Nicholas (Niguliste) Church: This 13th-century Gothic church-turned-art-museum served the German merchants and knights that lived in this neighborhood 500 years ago. The Russians bombed it in World War II: In one terrible night, on March 9, 1944, Tallinn was hit, and the area around this churchonce a charming district, dense with medieval buildingswas flattened
Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats): A marketplace through the centuries, this is the natural springboard for Old Town explorations. The cancan of fine old buildings is a reminder that this was the center of the autonomous lower town, a merchant city of Hanseatic traders. Once this was the scene of criminals chained to pillories for public humiliation and knights showing off in chivalrous tournaments; today its full of Scandinavians savoring the cheap beer, children singing on the bandstand, and cruise-ship groups listening to their guides.
The picture above is the The 15th-century Town Hall (Raekoda) dominates the square; its now a museum, and climbing its tower earns a commanding view. On the opposite side of the square, across from #12 in the corner, the pharmacy (Raeapteek) dates from 1422 and claimsas do manyto be Europes oldest. While its still a functioning pharmacy, the decor goes back to medieval times and welcomes guests with painted ceiling beams, English descriptions, and long-expired aspirin
Wheel Well: The well is named for the high-tech wheel, a marvel that made fetching water easier. Most of the Old Towns buildings are truly old, dating from the 15th- and 16th-century boom-time. Decrepit before the 1991 fall of the USSR, Tallinn is now more affluent and has been quickly revitalized.
Rüütli street
St. Nicholas (Niguliste) Church: This 13th-century Gothic church-turned-art-museum served the German merchants and knights that lived in this neighborhood 500 years ago. The Russians bombed it in World War II: In one terrible night, on March 9, 1944, Tallinn was hit, and the area around this churchonce a charming district, dense with medieval buildingswas flattened
dgbg100106
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climb the steep, cobbled, Lühike jalg (Short Leg Lane). Its lined with quality Estonian craft shops.
notice the original oak door, one of two gates through the wall separating the two cities. This passage is still the ritual meeting point of the mayor and prime minister whenever there is an important agreement between town and country.
Danish Kings Garden: Stand in the former garden of the Danish king. The imposing city wall once had 46 towersthe stout, round tower way ahead is nicknamed Kiek in de Kök. (While fun to say, it means Peek in the Kitchen.) It was situated so that peek is exactly what guards could do.
Tallinn is famous among Danes as the birthplace of their flag. According to legend, the Danes were losing a battle here. Suddenly, a white cross fell from heaven and landed in a pool of blood. The Danes were inspired and went on to win. To this day, their flag is a white cross on a red background.
This is the wall separating the two cities, we are heading into the old city.
Now thru the wall...
Russian Cathedral and Toompea Castle: The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built here in 1900 over the supposed grave of a legendary Estonian heroKalevipoeg. While its a beautiful building, most Estonians dont like this church. Built to face the national parliament, it was a crass attempt to flex Russian cultural muscles during a period of Estonian national revival. Step inside for a whiff of Russian Orthodoxy; about a third of Tallinns population is ethnic Russian
the pink palacean 18th-century addition that Russia built onto the Toompea Castle. Today, its the Estonian Parliament building, flying the Estonian flagthe flag of both the first (19181940) and second (1991present) Estonian republics. (Locals say they were always independent...just occupiedfirst by the Soviets, then by the Nazis, and then again by the USSR.) Notice the Estonian seal: three lions for three great battles in Estonian history, and oak leaves for strength and stubbornness. Ancient pagan Estonians, who believed spirits lived in oak trees, would walk through forests of oak to toughen up. (To this day, Estonian cemeteries are in forests. Keeping some of their pagan sensibilities, they believe the spirits of their departed loved ones live on in the trees.)
I really like how they keep the old even when building new...
Tall Hermann Tower: This tallest tower of the castle wall is a powerful symbol here. For 50 years, while Estonian flags were hidden in cellars, the Soviet flag flew from Tall Hermann. As the USSR was unraveling, the Estonians proudly and defiantly replaced the red Soviet flag here with their own black, white, and blue flag.
notice the original oak door, one of two gates through the wall separating the two cities. This passage is still the ritual meeting point of the mayor and prime minister whenever there is an important agreement between town and country.
Danish Kings Garden: Stand in the former garden of the Danish king. The imposing city wall once had 46 towersthe stout, round tower way ahead is nicknamed Kiek in de Kök. (While fun to say, it means Peek in the Kitchen.) It was situated so that peek is exactly what guards could do.
Tallinn is famous among Danes as the birthplace of their flag. According to legend, the Danes were losing a battle here. Suddenly, a white cross fell from heaven and landed in a pool of blood. The Danes were inspired and went on to win. To this day, their flag is a white cross on a red background.
This is the wall separating the two cities, we are heading into the old city.
Now thru the wall...
Russian Cathedral and Toompea Castle: The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built here in 1900 over the supposed grave of a legendary Estonian heroKalevipoeg. While its a beautiful building, most Estonians dont like this church. Built to face the national parliament, it was a crass attempt to flex Russian cultural muscles during a period of Estonian national revival. Step inside for a whiff of Russian Orthodoxy; about a third of Tallinns population is ethnic Russian
the pink palacean 18th-century addition that Russia built onto the Toompea Castle. Today, its the Estonian Parliament building, flying the Estonian flagthe flag of both the first (19181940) and second (1991present) Estonian republics. (Locals say they were always independent...just occupiedfirst by the Soviets, then by the Nazis, and then again by the USSR.) Notice the Estonian seal: three lions for three great battles in Estonian history, and oak leaves for strength and stubbornness. Ancient pagan Estonians, who believed spirits lived in oak trees, would walk through forests of oak to toughen up. (To this day, Estonian cemeteries are in forests. Keeping some of their pagan sensibilities, they believe the spirits of their departed loved ones live on in the trees.)
I really like how they keep the old even when building new...
Tall Hermann Tower: This tallest tower of the castle wall is a powerful symbol here. For 50 years, while Estonian flags were hidden in cellars, the Soviet flag flew from Tall Hermann. As the USSR was unraveling, the Estonians proudly and defiantly replaced the red Soviet flag here with their own black, white, and blue flag.
dgbg100106
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Patkuli Viewpoint: Survey the scene. On the far left, the Neoclassical facade of the executive branch of Estonias government enjoys the view. Below you, a bit of the old moat remains. The Group sign marks Tallinns tiny train station, and the clutter of stalls behind that is the rustic market. In the distance, ferries shuttle to and from Helsinki (just 50 miles away). Beyond the lower towns medieval wall and towers stands the green spire of St. Olavs Church, once 98 feet taller and, locals claim, the worlds tallest tower in 1492. Beyond that is the 985-foot-tall TV tower (much appreciated by Estonians for the heroics involved in keeping the peoples airwaves open during the harrowing days when they won independence from the USSR). During Soviet domination, Finnish TV was responsible for giving Estonians their only look at Western lifestyles. Imagine: In the 1980s, many locals had never seen a banana or pineappleexcept on TV. People still talk of the day that Finland broadcast the soft-porn movie Emmanuelle. An historic migration of Estonians flocked from the countryside to Tallinn to get within rabbit-ears distance of Helsinki and see all that flesh on TV.
Kohtuotsa Viewpoint: On the far left is the busy cruise port and the skinny white spire of the Church of the Holy Ghost; the spire to its right is the 16th-century Town Hall spire. On the far right is the tower of St. Nicholas Church. Visually trace Pikk street, Tallinns historic main drag, which winds through the Old Town, leading from Toompea down the hill (below you from right to left), through the gate tower, past the Church of the Holy Ghost (and Town Hall Square), and out to the harbor. The undesirable part of this city of 400,000 is the clutter of Soviet-era apartment blocks in the distant horizon. The nearest skyscraper (white) is Hotel Viru, in Soviet times the biggest hotel in the Baltics, and infamous as a clunky, dingy slumbermill. Locals joke that Hotel Viru was built from a new Soviet wonder material called micro-concrete (60 percent concrete, 40 percent microphones). To the left of Hotel Viru is the Rotermann Quarter, an industrial plant revamped into a new commercial zone. Our walk will end there.
now back through the city...
Viru street is old Tallinns busiest and kitschiest shopping street. Just past the strange and modern wood/glass/stone mall, Müürivahe street leads left along the old wall, called the Sweater Wall. This is a colorful and tempting gauntlet of women selling handmade knitwear (although anything with images and bright colors is likely machine-made). Beyond the sweaters, Katariina Käik, a lane with top-notch local artisan shops, leads left.
Back on Viru street, the golden arches lead to the medieval archesViru Gatethat mark the end of old Tallinn. Outside the gates (at Viru 23), an arch leads into the Bastion Gardens, a tangle of antique, quilt, and sweater shops that delight shoppers, and the fine Apollo bookstore Opposite Viru 23, above the flower stalls, is a small park on a piece of old bastion known as the Kissing Hill
Of course David and had to kiss on Kissing Hill...
dgbg100106
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On our way back to the cruise terminal, we went looking for a grocery store...
We found like a neighborhood store, but there was armed guards in there, pretty weird if you ask me, but who knows what is going on there.
I went looking for that local liquor of tallinn, has to be cheaper than out in the tourist area.
not only did I find it but it was on sale... whoop!!!
I got it, a bag of chips, a beer and more marzipan...
Back on the ship...
I laid down and took a nap...
Then we got ready for dinner, formal night on the ship; we hit the lounge prior to dinner.
I got the fruit bowl with Midori liquor.
David got his usual Shrimp Cocktail with Champagne sauce.
I got the Roaster Pumpkin Soup.
David got the loaded potato soup
I got the Vietnamese Yellow Curry with potatoes.
David got the veal cordon blue
David got the mango Sherbert
I got the raspberry cheesecake.
now I am just to tired to go on. I have to go to bed.
Bye Bye Tallinn, Estonia, you were a beautiful city I would love to visit again.
We found like a neighborhood store, but there was armed guards in there, pretty weird if you ask me, but who knows what is going on there.
I went looking for that local liquor of tallinn, has to be cheaper than out in the tourist area.
not only did I find it but it was on sale... whoop!!!
I got it, a bag of chips, a beer and more marzipan...
Back on the ship...
I laid down and took a nap...
Then we got ready for dinner, formal night on the ship; we hit the lounge prior to dinner.
I got the fruit bowl with Midori liquor.
David got his usual Shrimp Cocktail with Champagne sauce.
I got the Roaster Pumpkin Soup.
David got the loaded potato soup
I got the Vietnamese Yellow Curry with potatoes.
David got the veal cordon blue
David got the mango Sherbert
I got the raspberry cheesecake.
now I am just to tired to go on. I have to go to bed.
Bye Bye Tallinn, Estonia, you were a beautiful city I would love to visit again.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Brandi - Great pictures of Talinn. *sigh* Somewhere else to put on the bucket list.
Love the food porn at the end.
Love the food porn at the end.
dgbg100106
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dgbg100106
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Brandi - Great pictures of Talinn. *sigh* Somewhere else to put on the bucket list.
Love the food porn at the end.
One day was really not enough but it did highlight and want me to return.
dgbg100106
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Day 13 - Day at Sea....
we did not do anything today....
Got up had drinks in the lounge, waited for the brunch to open, and then walked around the ship.
After Brunch we went to listen to the guy that plays guitar we liked him...
We spent the day being lazy not doing much, down loading pictures, meeting up with different people. Just relaxing.
Back to the lounge for drinks...
Then off to dinner.
I had the Spiced Duck Quenelle with a Raspberry reduction
You will never guess what David had...
I have no idea what soups we had.
I had the Milk Feed Veal Chop
David had the Beef Wellington.
I had the Chocolate Souffle and Butter Pecan Ice Cream
David had the Sherbert of the day and Blueberry Ice Cream.
We go back to the room to have our last of the Laundry sent out then just hanging out together watching the world go by.
we did not do anything today....
Got up had drinks in the lounge, waited for the brunch to open, and then walked around the ship.
After Brunch we went to listen to the guy that plays guitar we liked him...
We spent the day being lazy not doing much, down loading pictures, meeting up with different people. Just relaxing.
Back to the lounge for drinks...
Then off to dinner.
I had the Spiced Duck Quenelle with a Raspberry reduction
You will never guess what David had...
I have no idea what soups we had.
I had the Milk Feed Veal Chop
David had the Beef Wellington.
I had the Chocolate Souffle and Butter Pecan Ice Cream
David had the Sherbert of the day and Blueberry Ice Cream.
We go back to the room to have our last of the Laundry sent out then just hanging out together watching the world go by.
Pinkocto
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I agree, and that is part of the reason I am sitting here recovering from foot surgery...
How are you feeling? I hope the pain meds are working their magic.
Estonia was such a beautiful city. It broke my heart to see all that trash in the well though. Even with no official tour, you guys saw tons!
That Vana Tallin label looks like a romance novel
Thank you so much for sharing all your beautiful pictures
dgbg100106
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You guys look great in your formal pic!
Thanks.. I love to dress up.. we get to go a couple times a year.
dgbg100106
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How are you feeling? I hope the pain meds are working their magic.
Estonia was such a beautiful city. It broke my heart to see all that trash in the well though. Even with no official tour, you guys saw tons!
That Vana Tallin label looks like a romance novel
Thank you so much for sharing all your beautiful pictures
I am feeling ok.. not perfect but a passing grade.
I enjoy going on these do it yourself tours more than the official tours, but no way we could do in Russia..
Agree about the romance novel
Thanks, I enjoy the picture hobby...
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
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Everything is so different than in the US, I love all the old buildings, the quaint streets and the charm of the platz! Every time I read a TR that is not at DLR or WDW, I always scrutinze the area, wondering if we would be able to visit that place. With Fran in a scooter, there are a lot of things to consider in choosing vacation spots.
When we visited New Zealand she was still walking on one (maybe two canes). Her big truimph was to walk to the top of some vista point in Auckland which was 254 steps, up and back down because she counted each one. Those days are gone, but I do recall visiting many places in NZ which described themselves as "wheelchair accessible" even though we weren't using one at the time. Like this place, Hell's Gate, they told you to stay on the "path". These people are standing on the "wheelchair accessible path".
Which is why these pictures really made me chuckle:
The day at sea sounds so relaxing, a few beverages, some good eating, more beverages, more eating!
When we visited New Zealand she was still walking on one (maybe two canes). Her big truimph was to walk to the top of some vista point in Auckland which was 254 steps, up and back down because she counted each one. Those days are gone, but I do recall visiting many places in NZ which described themselves as "wheelchair accessible" even though we weren't using one at the time. Like this place, Hell's Gate, they told you to stay on the "path". These people are standing on the "wheelchair accessible path".
Which is why these pictures really made me chuckle:
climb the steep, cobbled, Lühike jalg (“Short Leg Lane”). It’s lined with quality Estonian craft shops.
The day at sea sounds so relaxing, a few beverages, some good eating, more beverages, more eating!
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