• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Estonia

Most traditional Estonian architecture is wooden so there is little that remains today outside the larger cities, most notably Tallinn, although there are numerous country houses and manors that have survived in various locations.

Estonian Architecture - Tallinn
Tallinn

Tallinn contains most of the country's architectural gems as it first rose to prominence in the 1200s and shortly after became a leader in the Baltic Sea trade as a member of the Hanseatic League, leading to a building boom. For the most part, Tallinn is a Gothic styled city. St. Olaf's Church (1200s) is a great example of Estonia's Gothic architecture and was the tallest building in the world in the 1500 and 1600s (after adding a taller steeple and spire to the original building). Even today, much of Tallinn's old town remains in the Gothic style, although numerous additions and variations have been amended since.

Estonia is also dotted with numerous castles and manors, most of which were either Danish or Teutonic (German) in origin and style. Among the best preserved are the Toompea Castle (primarily constructed in the 1200s) and the Hermann Castle (much of what is seen today is from the 1300s and later).

The country also has a great amount of modern architecture. Both Tallinn and Tartu have adopted many of these modern styles, while making them their own, giving these cities many unique buildings.

This page was last updated: February, 2012