Tartu, the center of Southern Estonia, is situated 185 kilometers from Tallinn. River Emayga (Mother-river), which connects two largest Estonian lakes, gives the city a picturesque and unforgettable view. The first mentioning of Tartu in written sources dates from 1030.
Local sights and attractions
- Tartu University - It was founded in 1632. The university received the title of the Academy of Gustavian in honor of its founder – the Swedish king Gustav II Adolph. Thanks to its university, from the beginning of 19th century Tartu became known as the center of the spiritual and high life of Estonia. The most famous building in Tartu is the main university building with six columns, where the Art Museum is located.
- City Hall - In ancient times it was the main place for trading and connected the site of old settlement on the hill with the river port. In the middle ages the City Hall, a place of town administration, was built on the plaza. The current City Hall building is third of its kind. After the fire in the year of 1775, the city was rebuilt; exactly at that times the new City Hall was erected.
- Tartu’s Yan’s church (the church of St. John) – Yan’s church is not just an interesting religious building of local importance, but a rather noticeable architectural monument of Western-European gothic, as well.
How to reach
Busses and suburban trains connect Tartu with Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and St. Petersburg, as well as with Estonian country towns.
Tartu town bus lines ( EST, EN, RU)
Estonian inland bus lines (EST)
Tartu bus station’s phone: +372 747 7227
Tourism Information
Information point for tourists in Tartu:
Raekoja plats 14, 51004 Tartu, Phone: +372 744 2111
E-mail: tartu@visitestonia.com
