April 16: Tallinn – Vanalinn 2

More from Vanalinn and Toompea.

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In the yard of Niguliste kirik, a fascinating linear sunken area that I haven't yet been able to figure out.

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Interesting decoration of this window of the Niguliste's blue chapel.

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A rather lovely mural sign, recalling Engadin work. (The name means "Gallery Two.") (Also amusing is the name of the street, Rüütli, since it's so similar to the name of the meadow where Switzerland was confederated, Rütli, though in this case it apparently means "knight.")

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A modern stained-glass window (the church was damaged by WWII bombing), complementing the antiquity of the masonry.

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A strange yet somehow elegant bumpout on the side of the church tower.

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An old well, covered over, probably a smart idea.

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This means more or less "Restaurant Chez Grandma." The egg yolk is weirdly realistic, I think.

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Interesting bicycle-securing infrastructure.

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I veered back up into Toompea, starting through this watchtower.

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The steep road beyond, viewed from under the tower.

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The watchtower from up the road.

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Another palimpsestuous wall.

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Waaayyy back down to the watchtower.

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Foldout benches along the steep road for those who need to rest along the way, a nice idea. Also, a door to ????.

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A big haunted-looking old place overlooking the road.

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Elegant niches along the way.

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This is Toomkirik, or St. Mary's Cathedral, on Toompea. It was built in the 13th century and is the oldest church in the city. I like its layered accretion of volumes, a bit like the Hagia Sophia.

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Almost-horizontal sun on the cathedral tower.

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A pleasantly irregular assortment of apertures.

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Ducks.

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Ducks.

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Ducks.

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The outlook to the northwest from the yard (Piiskopi aed — Bishop's Garden) next to the cathedral. Elevated squares and gardens like this are some of my favorite urban spaces, maybe because they're a type of prospect-and-refuge, though with a little less refuge than in some other cases, I suppose. There are several of them on Toompea.

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Late sun. The altostratus was the cause of the wanness of the sunlight on the churches.

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Sun again, viewed from the back edge of Piiskopi aed.