April 16: Tallinn – Vanalinn 1

I spent the rest of the time we had in Tallinn exploring Vanalinn and particularly Toompea.

6686

This is a dramatically limestony cliff by the highway just on the other (south) side of KUMU from the entrance, whither we had climbed down from the museum hill to catch a bus back to the city center.

6689

In town, a circular tower peeking out from an otherwise normal block. I wonder what the story is.

6691

The sliced-up masonry panel on this building is pretty cool; it's much more interesting than the accompanying copper siding.

6693

Peering into the pastel distance.

6697

A restaurant with a quite amusing name, Olde Hansa, and ren-faire sensibilities.

6699

I like landmark buildings where, like Raekoda (the Town Hall) here, the proportions and shapes are a little bit weird or off (in this case, the rocket-like verticality), because they can make a powerful, iconic imprint on the memory to a much greater degree than more moderate buildings.

6700

I also really enjoy the variety of brackets and little windows in the façade of this building; they're like a composition of tattoos and piercings.

6702

Cookies & cream pidge.

6705

An arcade of the town hall on the edge of Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square), the heart of Vanalinn.

6706

Generously rounded corner of the building right next to the town hall.

6711

At Niguliste kirik (St. Nicholas' Church), a pleasant medley of chapels, rather like Riddarholmskyrkan.

6714

Making our way up into Toompea.

6715

Emerging at Aleksander Nevski katedraal (Alexander Nevsky Cathedral), the Russian Orthodox cathedral.

6716

It's bubbling over!

6719

The also highly ornate portal. There was a service happening inside, which we watched for a few minutes, but understandably photography was not permitted. The priests intoning and burning incense in the middle of the crowd of worshippers had a powerful effect on me, especially in the impressive surroundings and with the late sunlight coming in.

6720

Just below the cathedral, a nice sign of spring, plus an interesting complex of walls.

6722

The spire of Niguliste kirik visible just a little ways away.

6724

Highly palimpsestuous.

6728

This is Taani kuninga aed (the Garden of the Danish King), on the side of Toompea, commemorating the legendary divine reception by medieval Danish warriors of their flag, the white cross on a red background, in battle at Tallinn.