Places to visit in Tartu

History & architecture

St. John's Church in Tartu

St. John's Church in Tartu is a medieval Gothic place of worship on Jaani Street in Tartu's old town. The church dates from the 14th century and is known for its exceptional terracotta sculptures, which depict human figures and adorn the historic brick architecture. The surviving sculptures give the building a special place in Estonian art history. The church has undergone a thorough restoration and today serves as a venue for both services and concerts. Visitors can see the nave and, at suitable times, climb the tower for a view over Tartu's old town. The church is one of the town's most characteristic medieval buildings.

Jaani tn 5, Tartu

History & architecture

Angel's Bridge in Tartu

Angel's Bridge in Tartu is a historic footbridge on Toome Hill that connects sections of Lossi Street lying at different heights. The bridge is decorated with a bas-relief of Georg Friedrich Parrot, the first rector of the University of Tartu, and the Latin inscription "Otium reficit vires", meaning "rest restores strength". Angel's Bridge is among Tartu's best-known architectural monuments and an important part of Toome Hill's historic park landscape. The bridge and its surroundings offer views of green slopes and footpaths. The very different-looking Devil's Bridge is nearby. It can be seen on an everyday walk.

Lossi tänav T9, Tartu

History & architecture

St. Peter's Church in Tartu

St. Peter's Church in Tartu is a neo-Gothic Lutheran church built at the end of the 19th century on Narva maantee in Tartu's Ülejõe district. Designed by the architect Viktor Schröter, the red-brick building stands out with its tall tower, pointed-arch windows and spacious nave. Inside, the wooden galleries, the historic organ and Johann Köler's altarpiece "Christ Calling" deserve attention. The church was built for a growing Estonian-speaking congregation and is today an important part of Tartu's religious and architectural heritage. The exterior can be viewed from Narva maantee; when visiting the interior, keep the congregation's activities and services in mind.

Narva mnt 104, Tartu

History & architecture

Devil's Bridge in Tartu

Devil's Bridge in Tartu is a historic concrete bridge on Lossi Street on Toome Hill, completed in 1913 to mark the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. The bridge is decorated with a bronze relief of Emperor Alexander I bearing the inscription "Alexandro Primo". Devil's Bridge is one of the few early 20th-century concrete bridges surviving in Estonia, and together with the nearby Angel's Bridge it forms a distinctive architectural pair. The darker-looking bridge fits in among Toome Hill's tall trees and historic buildings. It can be viewed both while walking across it and from below, where the bridge's structure and the surrounding landscape stand out especially well.

Lossi tänav T19, Tartu

History & architecture

Eduard Tubin Monument

The Eduard Tubin Monument stands next to the Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu and is dedicated to the Estonian composer and conductor. The bronze figure shows Tubin conducting an orchestra and is accompanied by a music-inspired sound installation. The sculpture was created by Aivar Vahtrapuu and Villu Valk, and the sound design is by Louis Dandrel. The memorial brings together public art and music history and offers a distinctive stop near the theatre. Tubin's work is an important part of 20th-century Estonian music. The monument can be viewed in the cityscape without attending a performance, and it is a separate artwork from the Vanemuine theatre building.

Vanemuise tn 6, Tartu

History & architecture

St. Paul's Church, Tartu

St. Paul's Church in Tartu is an Art Nouveau church on Riia Street whose national romantic architecture sets it apart from the city's other churches. The building features geometric forms and details typical of its era, and its bell tower holds two steel bells made in Germany in 1922. The tower with its glass dome offers a view over the city, but access to it is charged separately. The church also has a crypt, a columbarium and a bookshop. A visit can be combined with a walk around the Riia Street area, bearing in mind services and the church's usual routine.

Riia tn 27, Tartu

History & architecture

Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve Monument

The Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve Monument on Uppsala Street in Tartu commemorates the astronomer and geodesist who directed Tartu Observatory. Unveiled in 1969, the abstract memorial alludes to the scientist's quest to understand the shape and size of the Earth. Under Struve's leadership a meridian arc was measured in the 19th century, helping to refine knowledge of our planet. The sculpture's form uses motifs of a sundial and an hourglass. The work was created by Olav Männi and Udo Ivask. The monument can be viewed on a separate walk, linking it with Tartu's history of science and the area around Toome Hill.

Uppsala tn 2, Tartu

History & architecture

St. Mary's Church, Tartu

St. Mary's Church in Tartu stands on Pepleri Street and holds an important place in the history of Estonian song festivals. Completed in 1842, the church was the home church of the Estonians of Tartu town and parish, and its congregation included several well-known figures of the national awakening. The first Estonian Song Festival began here in 1869. Damaged in the Second World War, the church building was later used as a sports hall before being returned to the congregation. During restoration the tower has risen again, topped by a gilded rooster. The building's story brings together Tartu's musical, religious and architectural heritage.

Pepleri tn 1, Tartu

History & architecture

Alatskivi Castle

Alatskivi Castle is in the small town of Alatskivi, Tartu County, about forty kilometres from Tartu. In the rooms of the manor house you can learn about the life of a 19th-century noble family and the work of their servants, and see an exhibition on the castle's history. The third floor houses the museum of composer Eduard Tubin; beside the castle there is also a former stable building and an extensive park. Allow time to explore several floors, and a separate guided tour can be booked if you wish. Visiting hours change with the seasons; in summer the castle is also open on Mondays.

Indicative price: Adult €12; pensioner €9; pupil €7; family ticket €25; guided tours at extra cost

Lossi tn 6, Alatskivi alevik, Peipsiääre vald, Tartu maakond

History & architecture

Rõngu Vassal Castle Ruins

The Rõngu Vassal Castle Ruins are in Lossimäe village, Elva Parish, Tartu County. The surviving walls of a fortification from the time of the Bishopric of Tartu stand in Lossimäe Park, where on a walk you can imagine the former courtyard and defences. The castle's origins are linked to the 14th century and its destruction to the period of the Livonian War. There is no ticketed museum or restored castle here today: the main experience is seeing old stone walls in the open air. The surroundings of the ruins suit a quiet, short stop on a tour of Tartu County.

Indicative price: Free admission

Lossimäe, Lossimäe küla, Elva vald, Tartu maakond

History & architecture

Tartu Von Bock House

The Tartu Von Bock House is located in the centre of Tartu on Ülikooli Street and is a historic town building dating from the 18th century. The house once belonged to the von Bock family and was put to use by the re-opened university in 1802. The university's ceremonial opening event also took place here. The building has at various times been used as a clinic, a veterinary school and a scientific library. Following renovation, it was reopened in 2007. From the street, visitors can view a wall painting depicting the university's main building and a photo exhibition related to historical professors. The house is an architectural monument in its own right.

Ülikooli tn 16, Tartu

History & architecture

Upside Down House

The Upside Down House is a unique experience building located on Roosi Street in the city of Tartu, where the interior turns familiar spatial perception upside down. The house is built upside down, and the rooms with furniture and household items appear to be on the ceiling. The building is also slightly tilted, which can cause an unexpected sense of imbalance when moving inside. Visitors can explore the rooms themselves and take playful photos. A standard visit takes about half an hour. The Upside Down House is located near the Estonian National Museum, but is an independent attraction with a separate ticket.

Indicative price: Full ticket 8,50 €; concession ticket 7 €; family ticket 24 €.

Roosi tn 86, Tartu

History & architecture

Tartu railway station

Tartu railway station is located in the city of Tartu on Vaksali Street and is a historic railway building completed in 1876. The architecture of the three-part main building retains the appearance typical of 19th-century stations. Warehouses, a depot, a water tower, and railway workers' residences were once located around the station. The building was thoroughly restored and reopened to passengers in 2012. Today, it combines daily train traffic with architectural heritage. There is also a cafe operating inside the station building, and bicycle parking facilities are available in front of it. The station is a separate point of interest among Tartu's museums.

Vaksali tn 6, Tartu

History & architecture

Tartu Song Festival Grounds

Tartu laululava is an important venue for song festivals and concerts located in the city of Tartu, accommodating up to 15,000 people. The laululava was opened in 1994 as part of the 125th anniversary song festival and has become known as a place of expression for the unity of the Estonian people. Every year, about 20 different events take place here, featuring several well-known artists, including Depeche Mode and José Carreras. Surrounding the laululava is a leisure center that includes a children's park, a skate park, and a sports park where visitors can enjoy health and disc golf trails. In winter, a free ice rink is open, providing opportunities for winter entertainment. Admission to concerts is paid, and those interested can also rent the hall for birthdays or seminars.

Laulupeo pst 25, Tartu