Tartu Old Town

Overview

 A colourful combination of cultural heritage and modernness

Tartu, as the oldest city in the Baltics, offers exciting sights every step of the way, especially in the city centre, which is a unique national heritage conservation area. Here you can find examples of styles from medieval times to present-day modern architecture that are complemented with cozy cafes and unique restaurants, urban nature and the lively buzz of the student city.

Tartu is the cradle of Estonian culture – from here the national university originated and the first newspapers and cultural societies started their work. In the year 1869, the first Estonian national song festival took place in Tartu and the first professional theatre (Vanemuine) began its work here in 1870. The National Archives and the Ministry of Education and Researchare also located here, as well as various important cultural institutions. The most important among them is the over a century-old Estonian National Museum where history is intertwined with innovation – the museum’s permanent exhibitions of the cultural history of Estonian and Finno-Ugric nations are represented through both physical exhibits as well as novel smart solutions, creating a bond between the older and younger generations.