Architecture of Estonia
Encyclopedia
Architecture of Estonia today represents a travel through time. The old town of Tallinn
, a historic Hanseatic
town called Reval, the capital of Estonia is one of the world's best preserved medieval architectural ensembles, UNESCO
's World Heritage Site
site since 1997. The countryside retains around 2000 historic manors representing a range of styles from Neo-Baroque and neo-Classicist to Tudor
. Castles such as Toompea Castle, Hermann Castle
and Kuressaare Castle are among the best preserved medieval fortresses in Estonia.
Tallinn possesses many of the Baltic regions oldest churches such as St. Olaf's church the a tallest building in Europe in the 16th century , St. Nicholas' Church
. Tallinn's old Town Hall Raekoda is the oldest Gothic building in Estonia. On the Town Hall Square examples of Gothic civic architecture can still be seen.
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
in Tallinn is an example of Russian Revival
style from the 19th century when Estonia was a governorate
of Russian Empire
.
The center of preserved neo-Classicist architecture is Tartu
, the Town Hall and surrounding buildings from the 18 century. The main building of University of Tartu
(1803–09) is an example of High Classicism
.
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
, a historic Hanseatic
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
town called Reval, the capital of Estonia is one of the world's best preserved medieval architectural ensembles, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
's World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
site since 1997. The countryside retains around 2000 historic manors representing a range of styles from Neo-Baroque and neo-Classicist to Tudor
Tudor style architecture
The Tudor architectural style is the final development of medieval architecture during the Tudor period and even beyond, for conservative college patrons...
. Castles such as Toompea Castle, Hermann Castle
Hermann Castle
Hermann Castle is a castle in Narva, eastern Estonia. It was founded in 1256 by the Danes and the first stone castle was built in the beginning of the 14th century...
and Kuressaare Castle are among the best preserved medieval fortresses in Estonia.
Tallinn possesses many of the Baltic regions oldest churches such as St. Olaf's church the a tallest building in Europe in the 16th century , St. Nicholas' Church
St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn
St. Nicholas' Church is a medieval church in Tallinn, Estonia. It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors. Originally built in the 13th century, it was partially destroyed in Soviet Bombing of Tallinn in World War II...
. Tallinn's old Town Hall Raekoda is the oldest Gothic building in Estonia. On the Town Hall Square examples of Gothic civic architecture can still be seen.
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral in the Tallinn Old Town, Estonia. It was built to a design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is...
in Tallinn is an example of Russian Revival
Russian Revival
The Russian Revival style is the generic term for a number of different movements within Russian architecture that arose in second quarter of the 19th century and was an eclectic melding of pre-Peterine Russian architecture and elements of Byzantine architecture.The Russian Revival style arose...
style from the 19th century when Estonia was a governorate
Governorate of Estonia
The Governorate of Estonia or Estland, also known as the Government of Estonia or Province of Estonia, was a governorate of the Russian Empire in what is now northern Estonia.-Historical overview:...
of Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
.
The center of preserved neo-Classicist architecture is Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, the Town Hall and surrounding buildings from the 18 century. The main building of University of Tartu
University of Tartu
The University of Tartu is a classical university in the city of Tartu, Estonia. University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia; it is the biggest and highest-ranked university in Estonia...
(1803–09) is an example of High Classicism
Classicism
Classicism, in the arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seek to emulate. The art of classicism typically seeks to be formal and restrained: of the Discobolus Sir Kenneth Clark observed, "if we object to his restraint...
.