Urban Trail (0)

Urban trail in Tartu old town.
Tartu, small town in southern -Estonia. Town was first mentioned in 1030. Nowadays there is living nearly 100 000 people. Tartu is known as city of students , and students come to improve to Tartu from all over the world. But Tartu is also known as a Hansa town, that is why one of the most attractive sightseeing place is the old town. It is a valuable place for Tartu and for Estonia as well.
PHOTO HUNT MAP:
Start the photo hunt on the corner of Lai and Jakobi street . Go up to the Toome hill , it's a great upturn and a great test for legs . As you move forward you will see the famous „Musumägi”. In english it is called „The Kissing Hill“
Take a picture with your crew members in the background of the hill.
After a brief walk in the Toome Park you see the Ruins of Toome Cathedral .
Is it possible to visit the ruins of the Cathedral?
Now, go straight ahead until you reach the Lossi street, turn right. Soon you will see The Devils Bridge .
From what stone do you think it is made of?
To go to the next object, you need to turn around and walk back along the Lossi street. Then you should see the famous Angels Bridge.
What is written on the bridge? When do you think it was built ?
After that, go along the Lossi street, until you reach Jaani street. Then turn left on Jaani street, walk approximately 100 meters along the Jaani street. On your left you should see the Main Building of Tartu University .
How many pillars has The University Building? What has been written on the under them? Whose statue is behind this building?
If you are done with the tasks, walk again approximately 100 meters forwards along the Jaani street. You should soon notice a church , this is Tartu Jaani (St. John's) Church.
About how high is this churches tower?
Now walk back to the Munga street, on the corner turn left to the Munga street and walk to the Rüütle street. Turn right on the Rüütli street, walk to the end on Rüütli street. While walking mind the scenery of Tartu Old Town, it is very unique . Next you should see the Town Square and Tartu Town Hall, on right of you, as the crown of the square. You probably also notice a fountain “Kissing students” in front of the Town Hall, many shops and caffees also. As you move towards Emajõgi you should see a skewed house, that is an Art Museum at the moment.
What kinds of institutions are in Town Hall Building?
What do you think, how many degrees is Art Museum Building askew?
In the end of the Town Square ends you will see the last attraction on your trail, the River Emajõgi and Kaarsild.
For what is this bridge famous for?
A) For it's beautiful architecture.
B) For it's scandalous happenings (a couple had an intercourse on top of this bridge)
C) For it's age – it is a very old bridge.
This photo hunt will last approximately 2 hours.
First place what you will see is the sight of Tartu, from the top of Toome Hill. Everybody can take pictures if they wish.
After moving forward you will stop next to a tiny hill on the Toome hill, its called “The Kissing Hill“ probably because of its tradition , many fresh married couples come here to make their second kiss after married, and attach a padlock to the benches on the hill, it means that they will stick together for the rest of their lives . Also the young unmarried couples come here to kiss, because it has became to a tradition of good luck as a couple.
After five minute walk you will see the ruins of Toome Cathedral. Building of the cathedral started in 13th century and was complete in 15th century. It was a massive cathedral for Tartu and South Estonia. In course of the Reformation and Livonian war the church was badly damaged, and the fire in 1624 made complete destruction for the cathedral. After some time library moved into the cathedrals choral room , it lasted there for nearly two hundred years. After that it became to Tartu University History Museum.
After the cathedral you will walk for about 10 minutes as you will notice the Angel Bridge. The name of the bridge “Inglisild” probably comes from the name “Inglisesild”, which means “English bridge”, due to the fact that the Toome Hill park was constructed in the English style.
After some walking you should see on the left the Main Building of Tartu University. The building itself is probably the best example of the classical architecture. It was built in years 1804 to 1809. Also there are held many concerts because of the acoustics, its just superb. People around the world have been learning and improving in this university.
Just a few steps forward and we will notice a restored church, its Tartu Jaani (St. John's) church. The Church has been restored in its medieval shape as much as possible whilst the initial building substance has been preserved to the maximum .
After going through narrower and wider streets of old town you notice many other architectural memorials and finally you end up to one square, this is Tartu Town Square. Earlier market - der Grosse Markt was situated on this square.
Tartu Town hall is crowning the square. Unfortunately it is the third hall at the same place. The one, which is standing there right now was built in 1789. On the first floor in the right wing has been towns pharmacy since 1922.
When moving to the end of the square we will see a leaning building. At the moment in the building is an Arts Gallery , and there used to be pharmacy on the first floor as well. Tartu people like to call the leaning building as „ Pisa of Tartu“.The building was built onto old wall of old town and other side onto wooden piles. The latter eventually sank and from there the house got its lean .
Cross the street and see a bridge and a river, your hunt ends here.