TOOMPEA Toompea (from German Domberg – Cathedral Hill ) is a limestone hill with an area of about 7 hectares in the central part of Tallinn. It towers about 30-40 m above the surrounding areas. According to the legend it´s the tumulus mound over the grave of the national hero Kalev, erected stone by stone in his memory by his grieving wife Linda. It is the birthplace of Tallinn - a place where in 1229 the Knights of the Sword built a fortress instead of the wooden Estonian stronghold. Toompea Castle is also one of the most potent symbols of the reigning power. Today Toompea is the seat of the Government of Estonia as well as the Riigikogu, both of which are often simply colloquially referred to as Toompea. For centuries there was only one access to Toompea - Pikk Jalg - but there is also another way leading up to Toompea - Lühike Jalg, which was made in the 14th century. At present Pikk Jalg and Lühike Jalg are used only by pedestri...
Names of town ● Lindanise - it was first used in 1219, derived from mythical Linda, the wife of Kalev and the mother of Kalevipoeg, national hero. ● Koluvan - found in old Russian chronicles, the name possibly deriving from the Estonian mythical hero Kalev ● Reval - used after 1219; comes from two german words ‘reh’ and ‘fall’, meaning the falling of the deer - as they fall down the Toompea hill, probably when escaping from the Danish occupation or just the hunters. ● Tallinn - used after Estonia gained its independence in 1918, origin is definitely estonian; meaning Taani-linn, tali- linn. Liberty Square ● The central square of Tallinn, it was renovated in 2008. There used to be Harju gate, which can now be seen through glass. ● The statue of Liberty, 2009; represents freedom, Estonia has been under many foreign powers, starting with Danes, Sweden, German and Russia. The clock of liberty, 2...
2 Towns (Upper & Lower Town) Tallinn used to be divided into 2 parts - Upper Town where lived the aristocracy, gentry and the clergy; and Lower Town with traders, craftsmen and merchants. Legend says the Toompea Hill is actually the tumulus mound of the great Kalev. Linda carried rocks to his grave. It is a naturally- formed limestone hill. Lower Town was a merchantile centre, Tallinn also belonged to the Hansaetic League (1285). It is often referred to as the town of citizens. Any grown-up, married and economically independent person, born in a legal marriage between two free people and having lived in the town for at least 3 months, could apply to the Magistracy for citizenship. Serfs could escape from serdom after having successfully hidden in town for a year and a day. Two parts remained separated until the end of the 19th century. Four Names Lyndanise - mentioned by Henricus de Lettis in his Chronicle; derives from the name Lind...
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