Tartu : Estonia

Tartu Travel : Estonia
Tartu (German, Polish Dorpat) is the second largest city of Estonia, with its population of 100,482 (the Population Census data is from 2004) in an area of 38.8 square kilometres. The first written records of Tartu date from 1030.
In contrast to Tallinn which is today the political and financial capital of Estonia, Tartu is often considered its intellectual and cultural centre, especially since it is home to Estonia’s oldest and most renowned university. Situated 180 kilometres southeast of Tallinn, Tartu is certainly the centre of Southern Estonia. The Emajõgi river, which connects the two largest lakes of Estonia, crosses the city for the length of 10 kilometres and adds colour.
Architecture & Sightseeing
The architecture and city planning of historical Tartu mainly go back to the pre-independence period, with Germans forming the higher and middle class of society, and therefore contributing lots of architects, professors, local politicians, et cetera. Most notable are the old Lutheran St. John’s Church (Johanneskirche or Jaani Kirik), the town hall, the university building, the botanical gardens, the main shopping street, and many buildings around the town hall square.
In the suburbs, classical Soviet neighbourhoods have been built between the Second World War and the Estonian indepence in 1990. Presently, Tartu is also known for several modern, rather sterile buildings of the “steel, concrete and glass� type, but has managed to retain a mix of old buildings and new buildings in the historical centre of town.
Being the intellectual and cultural centre of Estonia, the Estonian Prime Minister often takes state guests to Tartu. In that way, people like Charles, Prince of Wales, Presidents of several countries including Finland, Latvia, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, and others as well as religious leaders like the Dalai Lama or the orthodox archbishop of Constantinople Bartholomew I. have paid visit to Tartu.
Tartu’s large student population means that it has a comparatively thriving nightlife, with some bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Some of the more popular destinations for tourists include Wilde Irish Pub and the Gunpowder Cellar.