Now it is time to climb the Toompea Hill that overlooks Tallinn. It is here that some of the most historic buildings are located and there are quite a few that we want to see and a museum to visit. We climb via the Long Leg Gate Tower that protected the hill from any invaders and start climbing.
The climb is through an area that likely was a kill zone for invaders as the road is hemmed in my huge walls on both sides. But we are not invaders and for us it is a scenic climb while we enjoy the outdoor art galleries along the way.
As we reach the top of the hill, not a particularly exhausting activity, we enjoy our first views of one of our goals, the Orthodox cathedral Alexander Nevski, which is quite impressive located on top of the hill.
There is good reason for the premium location, it was built by the Russians to show the local population who the boss is during the brutal occupation. In fact from time to time, including now during the war in Ukraine the Estonian government and people try to decide whether to raze it completely, until now no such decision has been made but it is an ongoing conversation. It is quite impressive up close as it sits in front of the Parliament and you can enter it but you can’t take photos.
We take a look at the well repaired city wall that we are going to visit in a little bit from a nearby viewpoint before looking at Toompea Palace, the Parliament which seems a bit subdued vs. the ostentatious church nearby.
Still on the hill we continue to St Mary’s Cathedral where you actually have to pay to enter. As one of our group really likes churches we delegate her to enter and document the interior which seems quite interesting and possibly worth the entrance fee. And then it is time to visit the Kiek in de Kök museum described separately.
