Tallinn - discover perfectly preserved medieval churches and state buildings
Estonia, the northern Baltic land of primeval forests, rivers, bogs, lakes and sea islands, has one of the smallest populations of any country in the world, and most of the people have opted for city life, leaving the countryside rather wild and filled with rare birds, plants and roaming deer, elk, wild boar, bears and wolves. The low, largely flat landscape is also dotted with relics of Estonia's medieval glory, when the Teutonic knights reigned supreme and built castles which are now left as decaying hulks, testifying to the wealth of the traders who made use of the country's ports. The main port, Tallinn, today still the capital city, was part of the mighty Hanseatic League in the 13th century. Its medieval prosperity has given the romantic city a wealth of attractions for modern-day tourists to explore.
Tallinn, Estonia’s seaport capital and one of Europe’s most completely preserved medieval cities, exudes a sense of romantic history. Only recently has this gem of a city on the UNESCO World Heritage List begun to be discovered by British travellers of all ages with the introduction of low cost flights from the UK. A spirit of mystery still pervades the cobbled courtyards of the picturesque Old Town, the winding alleys overhung with original 12th and 13th century merchant's houses and a wealth of perfectly preserved medieval church and state buildings.While preserving its past,Tallinn is certainly not stuck in the Dark Ages. It is as forward looking and thinking as any other modern European capital and is well worth visiting at all times of the year.