Architecture of Estonia. Architecture of Estonia in the 17th - first half of the 19th centuries. An excerpt characterizing the Architecture of Estonia

Tallinn is popular among travelers, but often few of them know how it differs from other European capitals. Some will say that it looks like Helsinki, others it reminds of Prague. In the 19th century it was called the Naples of the North, but in reality Tallinn always remains Tallinn.

And as soon as you leave the Old Town, across the road there is the ultra-fashionable quarter of Rotermann, and further on is the ancient suburb of Kalamaja. It is built up mainly with wooden houses, where fishermen used to live. Today it is one of the most famous hipster areas in Europe.

In the Kadriorg district, a baroque palace neighbors the modern art museum KUMU. And nearby is a picturesque quarter, which still retains the atmosphere of a provincial provincial town of the 19th century.

In the center of Tallinn, the strict and solid representative architecture of the First Republic juxtaposes with the Soviet one.

Gothic

There has been a fortified settlement on Toompea Hill since the 11th century, and around the modern Town Hall Square there was a settlement and trading area surrounded by a fence. Nearby there were two trading yards: Scandinavian and Russian.

With the arrival of the Crusaders in 1219, a castle and the Dome Cathedral were built on Toompea Hill. The first fortress wall around the Upper Town began to be built in 1229. In the Lower Town, the first wall appeared in 1265 at the insistence of Queen Margaret. The fortress wall that has survived to this day dates back to the 14th century. At this time, a city was formed that consisted of two independent parts - Toompea (Domberg - Upper Town), the capital of the Duchy of Estonia, and the Lower Town, Hanseatic Revel.

The most significant period in the development of Tallinn architecture was the 13th-16th centuries. Tallinn Gothic was formed under the influence of the architecture of the island of Gotland, the Lower Rhineland, Westphalia, and later the architecture of the cities of the Hanseatic League and the Teutonic Order. Limestone, a local building material, gave this style its originality.

By the 14th century, Tallinn Castle turned into one of the most powerful fortresses of the Livonian Order. The layout of the castle, the severity and simplicity of its architecture served as a model for other fortifications in the region. Only the western and northern outer walls, as well as three towers, including one of the symbols of Estonia, the Long Hermann, escaped reconstruction.

In the 15th century (late Gothic period), the Town Hall, guild buildings, monastic buildings and residential buildings appeared in the city. These are elongated facades with high gables. Among the buildings that varied in plan, houses with two rooms predominated - diele and dornse. Diele, a spacious, two-story high room with a fireplace at the back wall, served mainly as a trading office and workshop. Behind it was the dornse, a living space with air-heating. The upper floors, basements and attics were used for warehouses.

Such residential buildings in their original form have been preserved on Pikk Street (Three Sisters Group, Pikk 71), on Lai Street (Three Brothers, Lai 38, 40, 42) and in the Old Market (Father and Son, Kuninga 1).

Tallinn Old Town has been included in the list of historical and cultural heritage UNESCO as a well-preserved medieval city. It is unique not only for the Baltic Sea region, but also for the whole of Europe.

Samples gothic architecture in Tallinn:

1. Town Hall (XV century), Raekoja 1.

2. Dome Cathedral (XV century), Toom-Kooli 6.

3. Church of St. Nicholas (Niguliste) (1420), Niguliste 3.

4. Church of St. Olaf (Oleviste) (XV century), Pikk 65 / Lai 50.

5. Church of the Holy Spirit (XV century), Pühavaimu 2.

6. Great Guild Building (1417), Pikk 17.

7. St. Olav's Guild Hall (1422), Pikk 24.

8. Complex of buildings of the Dominican monastery of St. Catherine (XIV-XV centuries), Vene 12/14.

9. Building of the New Almshouse (XVI century), Rüütli 7/9.

10. Horse mill (XIV-XVIII centuries), Lai 47.

11. Ruins of the monastery of St. Brigid (1417), Merivälja tee 18.

Renaissance

Few buildings from the Renaissance have survived to this day. For example, the house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads (1597) Pikk 26. The Renaissance found its most vivid expression in Tallinn in decoration, especially in carved details and decorative paintings.

Baroque

By the beginning of the 17th century, the a new style- Baroque, or northern baroque, which can be called Protestant. This very discreet style is characterized by rationality and simplicity.

In the 18th century, Baroque can be traced mainly in perestroikas: from the time of Peter I to the mid-18th century, throughout the Russian Empire, except St. Petersburg, stone construction was prohibited.

Baroque pearl in Tallinn – “ Old Palace", or Rosen's house (1670s, Pikk 28). The most monumental building of this era in Tallinn is the Kadriorg (Ekaterinenthal) Palace of the architect Nicollo Micchetti in the Italian Baroque style (1718, A. Weizenbergi 37). Another example is the building of the residence of the Estonian governor and provincial government in the transitional rococo style with elements of early classicism (1773, architect Johan Schulz, Lossi plats 1). The Stenbock House at Lai 17 (1685), which for some time belonged to A.D. Menshikov, is an example of Dutch Baroque.

In the church of St. Nicholas (Niguliste) in the 17th century, the façade of the northern narthex was decorated with sculptures, and at the very end of the same century the tower's shako was rebuilt in the Baroque style (Niguliste 3).

Classicism

In the era of classicism (late 18th – early 19th centuries) Upper town many buildings were erected and rebuilt in the Lower Town. During perestroika, many medieval facades acquired a fashionable appearance in the style of classicism. On the courtyard side, the Gothic style was often preserved.

Vivid examples of classicism in Tallinn: Government House (around 1790, Rahukohtu 3), Rosen House (1830, Lai 5), Benckendorff House (1814, Kohtu 8), the first domed building - St. Nicholas Church (1827, Vene 24).

Historicism

By the middle of the 19th century, a fashion for historical styles and eclecticism arose. The first examples of such architecture in Tallinn were the St. Guild building. Knuta (1864, Pikk 20), built in the Tudor Gothic style on the street. Pikk, and the building of the Knights' Assembly (1848, Kiriku plats 1). The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1900, Lossi plats 10) is an example of the pseudo-Russian style. The Reichmann House (1909, Pikk 21/23) is an interesting example of the neo-Mannerist style.

From the second half of the century historical Center Tallinn is changing dynamically. By the end of the century, the area between Viru Square and the Tõnismägi district was being actively developed: thus, the Old Town and the new center merged.

Thanks to the originality building material, the industrial architecture of the new era echoes the architecture of the Old Town: Rotermann warehouses and factories (Rotermanni 8), Rosen distillery (Mere pst 6).

Modern

In the 20th century, new trends were introduced into the architecture of Tallinn by the spread of the Art Nouveau style in Europe. Especially the “northern modern”, formed under the influence of Finnish architecture.

During this period, famous Finnish architects, the famous A. Lindgren, G. Geselius and E. Saarinen, worked in Tallinn. The latter, in 1913, drew up the first master plan of the city, which provided for the relocation of the shopping center outside the Old Town.

Examples of Northern Art Nouveau architecture:

1. National Opera “Estonia” (1913) Estonia pst 4.

2. Building of the Estonian Drama Theater (1910) Pärnu mnt.5.

3. Saarinen's House (1912) Pärnu mnt 10.

4. Luther Factory Workhouse (1905) Vana-Lõuna 37.

The second branch of Art Nouveau in Tallinn was eclectic-decorative or the so-called “Riga Art Nouveau”. It is more magnificent and is distinguished by the widest use of masks and ornaments. Vivid examples of this style include the buildings of the architect J. Rosenbaum, for example, the House with Dragons (1910, Pikk 18).

Architecture of the first Republic of Estonia

At this time, the functions of the city center are moving outside the historical core. A new Tallinn is being formed - the capital of the Republic of Estonia.

Tallinn architecture of the 30s of the 20th century is a mixture of traditionalism, functionalism, art deco and northern classicism. It is very recognizable and solid, in particular due to its rectangular shapes and colors: brown or gray, anthracite plaster popular at that time. In the late 30s, finishing facades with dolomite panels or crushed limestone was common.

It was functionalism in the 20th century that formed the style of the current appearance of the center of Tallinn, which can be called truly national.

The architecture of the first Republic of Estonia can be seen in the areas of Tõnismägi and Pärnu Highway, as well as Raua Street and Police Park.

Iconic objects of the functionalism style:

1. House of Arts (1934) Vabaduse väljak 6.

2. Tallinn City Hall building (1935) Vabaduse väljak 7.

3. Tallinn "Chillihouse" (1936) Roosikrantsi 23/Pärnu mnt 36.

4. Parliament Building (Riigikogu) (1922) Lossi plats 1a.

5. Fire brigade building (1939) Raua 2.

6. Metsakalmistu Cemetery Chapel (1937) Kloostrimetsa tee 36.

7. Liiva Cemetery Chapel (1935) Kalmistu tee 34a.

This era introduced two original styles into the architecture of Tallinn: “Stalinist classicism” of the 40-50s of the XX century and Soviet modernism of the 50-80s. A distinctive feature of the Soviet architecture of Tallinn in comparison with other Soviet republics is its certain “bourgeoisness”, which is why Tallinn was a popular film location where “Western life” was filmed.

Architecture 1945–1961

After the war, architects who did not emigrate and remained in Estonia built in a style similar to the architecture of the pre-war period. In this style you can see the influence of Germany - high tiled roofs, gray or brown plaster, familiar to the 30s.
1. Building of the Academy of Sciences (1958). Estonia pst 7/ Teatri väljak 1.

2. Cinema "Sõprus" (1955). Vana-Posti 8.

But by the beginning of the 50s of the 20th century, international “Stalinist classicism” had prevailed.

In the 50s, architects, mainly from Leningrad, were sent to Tallinn to work or practice. They introduced “Soviet” designs into the appearance of the city, ideologically consistent and better expressing Stalinist ideas in architecture, but representing standard copies.

1. "House with a Tower" (1954). Tartu mnt. 24.

2. House of Fleet Officers (1954). More pst. 5.

Of particular interest is the private development of the 50s-60s in the areas of Marjamäe, Pirita, Nõmme, which is not at all similar to what was built in other republics Soviet Union.

Architecture 1960–1980s

In the 60s, at the very beginning of the Khrushchev Thaw, a period of stylistic experiments began in the architecture of Tallinn. Iconic objects appear that become symbols not only of the city, but of the entire republic. At this time, despite the Iron Curtain, new fashionable architectural trends from Northern Europe and especially Finland penetrated into Estonia. The peculiarity of modernism lies precisely in its internationality.

Modern Estonian architecture

Having gone through the era of block construction, characteristic of the 70s of the 20th century, and Soviet modernism of the 90s, Estonian architecture, which was considered advanced even in Soviet times, took a qualitative step forward by the end of the 1990s.

New projects of recent times have become significant events that determine the appearance of the city. Lovers of modern architecture have a lot to see in Tallinn. Modern Estonian architecture reflects trends close to the Northern European region. The characteristic features of this style are functionality, rationality, the use of modern materials, the use of energy-saving technologies and natural materials, especially wood, in architecture.

A striking example of modern architecture is the KUMU Art Museum (2006, Valge 1). In an effort to fit into the rocky landscape, it literally breaks out of the ground and very delicately shifts the accents of the historical quarter.

Several sacred buildings stand out against the background of modern buildings in Tallinn: the new monastery of St. Brigitte (2001, Merivälja tee 18) is harmoniously integrated into the surrounding space and is adjacent to the ruins of the old monastery of the 15th century, becoming its actual continuation. Tallinn Synagogue (2007, Karu 16) is an interesting solution, where amazing interiors decorate a rather modest building on the outside.

Along with new projects, reconstruction of old buildings is being carried out very actively. They try to preserve the architecture of many of them as much as possible.

In the old industrial quarter of Rotermann (Rotermanni 8), a new conceptual complex is being created today: the old factory buildings are complemented by modern buildings, as a result the quarter begins to play one of the central roles in the urban ensemble.

The educational center “Energy” and the creative center “Cauldron of Culture” (Põhja puiestee 27a) opened in the building of a former power plant.

One of the latest objects - Maritime Museum, located in the building of former seaplane hangars (1917). The building itself is a beautiful and rare example of shell-type reinforced concrete structures in Estonia and in the world (Vesilennuki 6).

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And the Kingdom of Denmark conquered the territory of present-day Estonia, divided it and introduced Christianity of the Western rite. Estonia does not have Romanesque architecture, but Gothic was influenced by the Gothic of the Rhine School, Cistercian architecture of Prussia and Scandinavian architecture (Gotland).

  • 1 Periodization
    • 1.1 Early Gothic: XIII - early XV centuries
      • 1.1.1 Locks
      • 1.1.2 Churches
    • 1.2 Late Gothic: XV - mid-XVI centuries
      • 1.2.1 Toompea Castle
      • 1.2.2 Fortress walls
      • 1.2.3 Residential buildings
      • 1.2.4 Town Hall
      • 1.2.5 Guilds
      • 1.2.6 Churches of Tallinn
    • 1.3 Renaissance: 1550-1630
    • 1.4 Early Baroque: 1630-1730s
    • 1.5 Late Baroque: 1710-1775s
    • 1.6 Classicism: 1745-1840
    • 1.7 Historicism: 1840-1900
    • 1.8 Modern: 1900-1920

Periodization

Early Gothic: XIII - early XV centuries

Locks

Episcopal castle-convention in Kuressaare Church in Ambla

Early Gothic in Estonia is represented by four types of castles:

  • irregular (polygonal);
  • castle-donjon;
  • There are two types of regular castles: Castel and Convent.

Order castles were built according to these types. A classic example of the second type is the castle-donjon in Paide in 1265.

Castles in Viljandi XIII-XIV centuries. and the Kuressaare Episcopal Castle on the island of Saaremaa, which was built between 1343 and the beginning of the 15th century, are classic examples of the convention. Of these castles, the best preserved is the Kuressaare Episcopal Castle on the island of Saaremaa, the layout of which includes the square corner towers of Storvolt and Long Hermann, as well as a chapel with a refectory, the bishop's chambers, a chapter hall and a dormitory located along the perimeter of the courtyard.

The same type includes the castle-monastery of the Cistercian Order in Padise, which was built from the second half of the 14th century until 1448 and has a less regular structure than other conventions.

Hermann's castle in Narva in the 13th-15th centuries originally belonged to the Kastel type, and subsequently, at the beginning of the 15th century, was rebuilt into a convent.

In total, from the beginning of the 13th to the beginning of the 16th centuries, 46 stone castles were built on the territory of Estonia, of which 17 were order castles, 12 were episcopal castles and 17 belonged to local feudal lords.

Churches

The Gothic provincial churches at Ambla from the late 13th century and at Coeru (1290) belong to the same architectural type. They are three-nave, hall, with a rectangular presbytery and a small tower along the axis of the western facade.

Examples of large Gothic churches are two brick basilicas in Tartu: the city Dome Cathedral (XIII-XV centuries, preserved in ruins) and St. John's Church built in 1330. The latter has high tower on the main facade; The vampires of the portal are decorated with the famous sculptural composition “The Last Judgment”.

Donjon Castle in Paide
Herman's Castle in Narva
Ruins of the Dome Cathedral in Tartu
John's Church
Padise Monastery

Late Gothic: XV - mid-XVI centuries

Toompea Castle

The historical context of the development of architecture is determined by the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, in which it was defeated Warband, of which the Livonian Order was a part, as well as the strengthening of the role of the Hanseatic Trade Union in this territory (Tallinn, Pärnu and Tartu were Hanseatic cities).

Toompea Castle

The city of Tallinn belonged to the Livonian Order since 1347. Since the 15th century, the Toompea Order Castle on Vyshgorod became the main dominant architectural complex of the city. It was a rebuilt ancient Danish castle, which was then rebuilt several times. Its structure is based on the convent type, and its highest cylindrical tower is called the Long Hermann.

Fortress walls

Part of the fortress wall and gate

The fortress walls and towers of Tallinn have been known since 1248, but the oldest walls and towers that have survived to this day date back to the 14th century. Construction continued into the 15th century, with reconstruction of the fortifications completed in the 1520s. They have been very well preserved to this day: at the end of the 16th century, 26 towers were erected, of which 18 have survived. The walls were up to 8 meters high and 2.85 meters thick. Along the bottom of the inner part of the wall there was a pointed arcade. During the 15th-16th centuries, as artillery developed, the towers were built on and gun loopholes were installed in them. The highest is the Kiek-in-de-Kök tower (38 m), the most massive is the four-story Fat Margaret in the complex Sea Gate. The city of Tartu had similar stone fortifications, but they were demolished in the 18th century.

Residential buildings

The medieval building of the Olde Hansa restaurant

Tallinn residential buildings of the 15th - early 16th centuries belong to the gabled type, when a narrow façade faces the street, topped with a gable covered with a gable roof (the bishop's house, the Great Guild house, the Three Sisters houses of the first half of the 15th century, the house on Lai Street, 25 , other houses of the old city).

Town Hall

Tallinn Town Hall

A landmark of civil architecture is the town hall in Tallinn, built in 1404, with a pointed arcade of the first tier on the longitudinal facade and a tall thin octagonal tower along the axis of the pier facade, topped with a triangular gable. It is the only surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe.

Guilds

The guild houses in Tallinn are known for their exquisite interiors (the Gothic Hall of the Great Guild of 1410, the Hall of the Olaev Guild of 1424). The facades of the three guilds of Tallinn were made by skilled craftsmen and are worthy of people's attention, especially since they are located close to each other: the buildings of the Great Guild and Olaf are made in the Gothic style, Knud - in the pseudo-Gothic English Tudor style.

Churches in Tallinn

St. Nicholas Church was built in 1827 in the style of classicism, which is unusual for Orthodox Church, according to a slightly modified project by the St. Petersburg architect of Italian origin Luigi Rusca.

The 14th century Church of the Holy Spirit is unusual in its spatial composition. It is two-nave, hall-type, with a tower on the pier façade and with a high gable. The originally planned third nave was not built, since then one of the central streets of the city would have been blocked.

Cistercian monastery. Originally there was a chapel of St. Vyacheslav (Vitslav), which was built in memory of the battle of 1219 and was first used as a monastery church. After 1310, the monastery was included in the city defensive system. The main monastery buildings were built no later than 1300. Of the buildings that have survived to this day, the oldest are the two-nave rooms of the eastern and northern wings, where cross vaults rest on round pillars (the only ones in Tallinn). In the decoration of capitals, along with stylized floral ornaments, naturalistic ones are found. Apparently, these capitals are of Gotlandic origin. last third of the 14th century. the chapel was expanded and rebuilt into a two-nave, four-lane church (St. Michael's Church) without an independent choir. Outside, along its facade from the side of the courtyard, a cross passage, partially two-story, passed through the buttresses. The bay window that connected the cross passage with the balcony for the nuns has been preserved. In the interior of the church, 12-sided pillars support cross vaults.

The Church of St. Michael was built in three styles. At the beginning of the 13th century, it was a small chapel that belonged to the order of Cistercian nuns. Over time, the monastery of St. grew up around the chapel. Archangel Michael, and the chapel was rebuilt into a spacious two-nave church. The construction of the temple was completed by the 14th century. XVI century With the advent of the Reformation in Estonia, the church became Lutheran, and during the Northern War (1700-1721) the Swedish garrison church was located here. 1710 Revel was taken by the troops of Peter I, and in 1716 the temple was re-consecrated orthodox cathedral Russian garrison in Revel (Church of the Transfiguration). These historical events are reflected in the appearance of the church: it is an eclectic collection of styles: a tower with a Baroque spire (1776), round windows and a dome with a drum (1828-1832, architect I. D. Bantelmann). The baroque iconostasis of I.P. Zarudny is of interest in the interior. The largest work on the external walls of the church was carried out in 1827-30, when the church received a look in the classicist style.

The Church of St. Nicholas (Niguliste) was built in 1406-93. This is a three-nave basilica with an ambulatory and a tower on the western façade.

Church of St. Olaf (Oleviste) of the same time, 1400-50. This is a three-nave basilica, has a middle nave 31 meters high and a tower with a spire 123.7 meters high. The church was the tallest in the world from 1549 to 1625 with an elevation of 158.4 m, but a fire in 1820 deprived the church of the record.

Dome Cathedral, reconstruction 1465 - a short three-nave basilica with a polygonal apse and a massive western tower, on Toompea. Inside the western wall, a small spiral staircase leads to a small royal chapel and above to a large royal balcony overlooking the interior of the church.

The Dominican Monastery in Tallinn at the beginning of the 15th century is a large Gothic complex with a three-nave hall church and a cloister on Vene Street; the buildings have been partially preserved: the chapter house, the prior's house, the barn, the crypt have been preserved; the Gothic portals are of particular value. The refectory was converted in the 18th century into the Church of Peter and Paul.

The Church of Peter and Paul on Viene Street has the form of a basilica and was built in the classical style with two neo-Gothic towers. The interior space is divided into three naves.

Monastery of Saint Birgitta, 1417-36 - a three-nave hall church in Pirita, now destroyed, which had a high and massive gable roof (standing in ruins since 1577).

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an Orthodox five-domed three-altar cathedral on Toompea, designed for 1,500 people, built on the model of Moscow churches of the 17th century.

Swedish Church of St. Michael (Tallinn) - the building on Ryutli Street, occupied by the church, was built as a New Almshouse, and does not have a traditional orientation to the cardinal points, as well as a dedicated altar. After World War II there was a sports school here. In 2002, the renovated and reconstructed building was consecrated again.

St. John's Church - wooden church St. John's almshouse. The leper colony of St. John, that is, the Jaan almshouse, located near the city, was first mentioned in 1237. In the Middle Ages, an almshouse was a shelter for the sick, crippled and elderly. Almshouses were built by churches, monasteries or communities. During the Middle Ages, there were at least four almshouses in Tallinn: the Holy Spirit almshouse, the almshouse at the gate on Nunna, the Jaan almshouse and the so-called New almshouse on Ryütli Street.

The Dome Cathedral

Renaissance: 1550-1630

Facade of the House of the Blackheads

The Renaissance came to Estonia under Swedish rule. Renaissance and Mannerist influences were manifested only in small architectural forms and decorations that adorned buildings that were quite Gothic in composition and design. The only surviving building in this style is the house of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads in Tallinn (1597, reconstruction of a Gothic building). Another - vazhnya (weight) - destroyed in 1944.

Early Baroque: 1630-1730s

Narva Town Hall

The early Baroque is represented by a few monuments, given the decline in construction activity at that time, caused by numerous wars in the region: the most prominent are the town hall in Narva in 1671, the Tallinn Gate in Pärnu at the end of the 17th century.

Late Baroque: 1710-1775s.

As a result of the Northern War, the territory of Estonia became part of the Russian Empire. The most outstanding attraction is palace and park ensemble Ekaterinenthal (Kadriorg), created in 1723 by order of the Russian Emperor Peter I, architect Niccolo Michetti. The style is close to the then St. Petersburg architecture, which was rather restrained in the use of means of expression, including decor. Another significant example of Baroque is the governor's residence Estonian province, built in 1773 on the site of the destroyed eastern wall of Toompea Castle. The building with side projections, painted pink, still attracts attention with its beauty and nobility. The palace was originally built on two floors; the third floor and portico were added in 1935.

Baroque architecture was also represented in the manor architecture of Estonia, for example, in 1797, the Väjana manor building was built by an unknown Italian architect.

The main building of Palmse Manor is also an excellent example of Estonian baroque manor architecture.

Väyana Manor

Classicism: 1745-1840

Classicist style is represented mainly in the university city of Tartu and Tallinn. The Town Hall in Tartu, built in 1789, still contains echoes of the late Baroque and in its general composition is somewhat reminiscent of the Town Hall in Narva.

The largest monument of classicism is the complex of the University of Tartu, the main building of which was built in strict and monumental order forms in 1803 according to the design of the German architect I. Krause, who was a professor of economics, technology and civil architecture at this university. The classic ensemble is complemented by other university buildings, among which the most significant is the anatomical theater.

Examples of classicism in Tallinn: the house of Pontus Stenbock, the Kaulbars-Benckendorf palace on Toompea.

In Tallinn, the belt of bastion fortifications around the Old Town was eliminated, and a park ring was created in their place. Country manor houses of order architecture became a characteristic phenomenon. For example, Saku Manor, Riisipere Manor, Kernu Manor, Kirnu Manor, Kolga Manor, Raikküla Manor, Udriku Manor, Aaspere Manor, Hyreda Manor, Pirgu Manor, Vohnya Manor, Uhtna Manor, Massu Manor, Härgla Manor, Räpina Manor, Peniõe Manor, Manor Lihula, Kasti Manor, Triigi Manor, Putkaste Manor, Kurisoo Manor, Tori Manor, Orina Manor, Vyhmuta Manor, Käravete Manor.

University of Tartu
Aaspere Manor
Kirna Manor

Historicism: 1840-1900

Kaarli Church Kaarli Church

The dominant direction of historicism in Estonian architecture is neo-Gothic, an example of which is the Kaarli Church in Tallinn (1870, architect A. Gippius). The Ungern-Sternberg Palace (1865, architect Groppius), inspired by the Florentine Palazzo Strozzi, also complemented by neo-Gothic chimney turrets and made of brick, makes a very vivid impression and remains in the memory. The façade of the Guild of Saint Canute was built in the English Tudor style (English pseudo-Gothic). An example of neo-Renaissance is the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Toomkololi Street.

Modern: 1900-1920

Estonian Art Nouveau belongs to the so-called Northern Art Nouveau. Tallinn was formed under the influence of St. Petersburg, Finland and Riga. Close to rational modernity, but with motifs of national-romantic stylizations. This stylization was used to design apartment buildings in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, as well as villas of that time.

The most public buildings include the Tallinn Estonia Theater (now the National Opera) 1910-1913 (architect A. Lindgren) and the German Theater (now the Estonian Drama Theater) 1910 (St. Petersburg architects A. F. Bubyr and N. V. Vasiliev) ; the Endla Theater in Pärnu in 1911 (architects G. Hellat and E. Wolfeldt); student society building in Tartu 1902.

St. Paul's Church in Tartu was designed and built in 1915-17 by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen (father of the even more famous mid-20th century American architect Eero Saarinen). Saarinen Sr. designed a lot for Tallinn, in particular, in 1913 he won a competition to create a master plan for the city.

Art Nouveau architecture became the basis for the development of Estonian architecture during the 1920s-40s and today largely shapes the identity of largest cities Estonia.

Estonia architecture map

Architecture of Estonia Information About

The eastern part of Estonia, directly adjacent to the territory of Russia, felt the most influence of the Soviet era and, accordingly, is most replete with buildings from that period. But even here, not to mention other areas of Estonia, within the framework of one of the dominant stylistic architectural trends Soviet era, called conceptualism, buildings built under government orders acquired a deliberate pseudo-European flavor.

This happened due to the proximity of the republic to Finland, whose distinctive culture inspired Soviet architects to some imitation.

One of the significant figures on the architectural horizon of that time was Toomas Rein, who designed most of the most interesting buildings and complexes in the 70–80s.

An example of residential buildings by his author is an unusual complex in the city of Pärnu, completed by the mid-80s.

The current state of many buildings of that time leaves much to be desired. But this residential complex, sometimes called “Solar Houses,” appears in the form of a model in the Pärnu Architectural Museum.

Model of “Solar Houses”

True, what was conceived and what was implemented are quite different, but that’s why it’s a harsh reality.


Another famous Estonian architect was Valve Pormeister. Her creative career was long and productive, she designed buildings both during the Estonian SSR and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. One of her original works, built a little earlier than those mentioned above, in the mid-60s, is located in the north-eastern part of Tallinn, in the Pirita area.

This is the building of the Tuljak cafe, which was very popular in previous years. The cafe remained there later, and has now reopened after reconstruction, raising its status to a restaurant. The building was conceived as part architectural complex, which included, in addition to it, the Flower Pavilion, and the entire complex harmoniously fit into the surrounding landscape with a well-groomed lawn. Now the entire landscape has changed considerably, and in the modern outlines of the restaurant one can hardly discern the former work of the legendary architect.

This is what the Tuljak cafe looked like when it was still, albeit famous, just a cafe.

Cafe "Tulyak"

And this is what the restaurant of the same name currently looks like.


Once you start talking about Tallinn, it’s hard to stop. How not to mention, for example, the Singing Field, where large-scale musical events are held annually, and every five years - the All-Estonian Song Festival!

The natural slope of the area is perfectly suited for the huge auditorium under open air, accommodating more than a hundred thousand spectators at once.

The slope is crowned by a huge shell of the Singing Stage, a structure remarkable in its design, designed by the Estonian architect Alar Kotli and erected in 1960, when the XV General Singing Festival was held.


Or how to ignore the tallest building in all of Estonia - the Tallinn TV Tower, whose height reaches three hundred fourteen meters. The TV tower project was created by architects David Basiladze and Yuri Sinis.

More than half of its height is made up of a reinforced concrete structure, above which a 124-meter metal pole-mast rises.

Only service personnel have access to it, in this case almost equivalent to celestials, and “mere mortals” are content with an observation deck at an altitude of one hundred and ninety meters, where a panoramic restaurant is equipped and where a high-speed elevator takes those who wish through twenty-two floors.

However, for extreme sports enthusiasts there is also a staircase with more than a thousand steps.

It took five whole years to build the TV tower; it was necessary to apply a lot of engineering and technical innovations, and the opening of the TV tower took place right in time for the sailing regatta that took place in Tallinn and was part of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.


For the same significant date, that is, for the Moscow Olympics, another one appeared in Tallinn interesting object, which received the loud name “Lenin Palace of Culture and Sports”.

Among the people, the name quickly transformed into “City Hall” or simply “Gorhall”, as it is called now.

An outstanding structure, built from local stones, is located on the shore of the bay in full accordance with the requirements of conceptualism, that is, to the maximum complementing and using the capabilities of the surrounding landscape. Inside were, among other things, big skating rink and a concert hall.

The latter, by the way, still functions today, but from time to time, and the few tenants do not save the situation of the decaying giant. But local youth love to gather near Gorhall in the summer and, despite the piercing Baltic winds, enjoy the beautiful views.


The project of the Palace of Culture and Sports was created by a whole team of authors, the main architects being Raine Karp, Riina Altmäe and Ülo Sirp. In 1984, they and other members of the group received the USSR State Prize.

If we turn to earlier times, or more precisely to the 50s of the 20th century, when the predominant architectural style was Soviet neoclassicism, then we must definitely mention the oldest cinema in Tallinn, “Druzhba,” which began operating in 1955. The majestic building with columns immediately put visitors in the appropriate mood.

This state of affairs continues even now, when the cinema, still operating, having replaced the Russian name with an Estonian one, is already called Sõprus and the films shown on the screens of its two cinema halls are completely different.

Nevertheless, it retains its status as a theater rather than a cinema: lovers of popcorn and simple blockbusters are not here; the audience who gathers in the cinema appreciates intellectual films like retrospectives of Fellini, Tarkovsky, Pasolini, Aki Kaurismaki and other luminaries of cinematic art like Kim Key Duca.

By the way, the decor of the building, at least externally, looks surprisingly untouched, although the cinema, which has undergone reconstruction, gives the impression of being well-kept and modern.

The interior decoration and even the layout have changed quite a lot.


The design of the cinema building was developed by a group of architects, of whom Friedrich Wendach made the greatest contribution. Today this building is recognized as an architectural monument.

In general, we can talk for a long time about the Soviet architectural heritage in Estonia. Quite a lot most interesting buildings can be found in Tallinn and other cities. One can also recall the building of the library of the Academy of Sciences of the Estonian SSR, now called the Academic Library of Tallinn University. She is practically the same age as the Singing Stage, just a few years younger.


(Architects: U. Telpus, P. Madalik)

But I would like to end with something not as ordinary as residential buildings or cinemas. Can you imagine that a banal bus stop can embody the style of an era no worse than pompous stone giants? You can not? Then watch!

  • Address: Tallinn, Ahtri, 2.;
  • Working hours: Wed - Fri. 11:00-18:00; Sat., Sun. 10:00-18:00. Closed: Mon., Tue.;
  • Entrance: The cost of a full ticket is 4 EUR, a discount ticket is 2 EUR, a family ticket is 6 EUR.;
  • Web site: www.arhitektuurimuuseum.ee;
  • Telephone: (+372) 625 7000 .

The architectural museum is one of the most significant cultural ones. It features exhibitions showing how the capital's architecture developed throughout the 20th century, which will be of great interest to tourists.

History of creation and location of the museum

The founding date of the Estonian Architecture Museum is considered to be January 1, 1991. The purpose of its creation was to document the history and subsequent development of Estonian architecture. The exhibits that are presented in it date back to the twentieth century. The museum has the status of a member of the International Confederation of Architecture Museums ICAM.

The museum was not always located in the building it now occupies. At the very beginning of its activities, it was located at 7 Kooli Street, and the premises of the ancient Loewenschede tower were allocated for its exhibits.

In 1996, the Estonian Architecture Museum moved to the building it occupies to this day, called the Rotermann Salt Warehouse. The grand opening of the museum and access to its collections to the public took place on June 7, 1996.


The salt warehouse building is a grandiose structure and remarkable in its own right, representing an outstanding example of Estonian architecture. It was built from flagstone in 1908; the design of the Baltic-German engineer Ernst Boustedt was taken as the basis for its construction.

In 1995–1996, the salt warehouse was reconstructed, which was carried out according to the design of the architect Yulo Peili and the interior architect Taso Mähari. Until 2005, the building also housed the exhibition hall of the Art Museum, but it has moved out, and currently only exhibitions of the Estonian Architecture Museum are presented there.


Estonian Architecture Museum today

The Estonian Museum of Architecture regularly opens exhibitions for visiting Estonians and tourists. Their total number exceeds 200, there are about 10 thousand exhibits, they are presented in the following collections:

  • 159 architecture and design exhibitions;
  • 41 exhibitions of fine and applied arts;
  • exhibitions of theatrical, fashion and electronic art;
  • international exhibitions, which are organized with the participation of other world-famous museums;
  • The model of the central part of Tallinn deserves special attention, which can rightfully be called one of the most outstanding exhibitions of the museum;
  • the museum's collections include numerous maps settlements, projects and models of buildings and entire districts of the capital of Estonia, articles that describe how Estonian architecture has developed from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day;
  • The oldest drawings include those developed in 1848 by the St. Petersburg architect Georg Winterhalter, which depict the facade and interior of the Knights' Chamber in;
  • A unique exhibit is the plan of Greater Tallinn, which was created in 1913 by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen.

How to get there?

The Estonian Museum of Architecture is located in the central part on Ahtri Street 2. It is convenient to get to it both from the airport and from the Old Town, the journey will take a maximum of 10 minutes. To get to the museum, you can use by bus route №2.



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