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Wonders of Estonia

Old Tallinn from St. Olaf's Church tower
Old Tallinn from St. Olaf’s Church tower / Ilya Dobrych, Flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0

WorldBlue  Highlights

Even if it is small , Estonia offers a wide array of very interesting natural and man-made landmarks. The most amazing wonders of Estonia are:

  • Medieval Tallinn – one of the most amazing historical cities in this part of the world, built on and around a tall limestone cliff.
  • Medieval castles and churches – Christianity came here with fortified stone buildings – castles and churches. In Estonia are located some of the most impressive palaces in this part of Europe.

Map with the described wonders

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WorldViolet Top 25 wonders of Estonia

Geological wonders

Kaali crater

Saaremaa

Fairly recent (7 600 – 4 000 years old), well preserved meteorite craters. The largest crater has a diameter of 110 m and 22 m in depth. It has a lake at its bottom and exposed limestone along its rim. The fall of meteorite created legends.

Kaali crater, Estonia
Kaali crater, Estonia / Siim Ainsaar, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Jagala Waterfall (Jägala juga)

Harjumaa

The largest waterfall in Estonia, 8 m tall and more than 50 m wide screen of falling water.

Jägala Waterfall
Jägala Waterfall. / Andres Papp, Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Ehalkivi

Lääne-Virumaa

The largest glacial erratic in Estonia, 930 m³ large (the part above the soil), some 2500 tons heavy.

Ehalkivi
Ehalkivi. / Gatis Pāvils, CC BY-SA 3.0
Keila Waterfall

Harjumaa

Possibly, the most beautiful waterfall in Estonia, 6.1 m tall and 60 – 70 m wide.

Keila Waterfall
Keila Waterfall./ Zairon, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Valaste Waterfall

Ida-Virumaa

The tallest waterfall in this part of Europe, with a single, 30 m tall drop.

Valaste Waterfall, Estonia
Valaste Waterfall / Hannu, Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Archaeological wonders

Varbola Stronghold

Harjumaa

Prehistoric fortress with impressive, up to 10 m tall drystone walls. Built mostly in the 10th – 12th centuries. Stronghold contained some 90 structures.

Entrance in Varbola Stronghold
Entrance in Varbola Stronghold, August 2023. / Gatis Pāvils, CC BY-SA 4.0

Architecture wonders

Tallinn Old Town

Harjumaa

The oldest city in Estonia, developed on and around a limestone tableland – Toompea. Well preserved city walls that originally had 66 towers. Settled since the 12th century at least, town status since 1248. Contains numerous valuable monuments of architecture.

Tallinn Old City
Tallinn Old City. / TausP., Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
Kuressaare Castle

Saaremaa

Episcopal castle. The time of construction is not known with certainty, most likely built in the 13th – 14th century. One of the best preserved and largest medieval castles in the Baltics.

Kuressaare Castle
Kuressaare Castle. / MinuHiiumaa, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Haapsalu Castle and Haapsalu St. Nicolas cathedral

Läänemaa

Ruins of a medieval castle with an enormous cathedral. This single naved church was built in 1260 in Romanesque-Gothic styles. Site of legends.

Haapsalu Castle with the St. Nicholas Cathedral
Haapsalu Castle with the St. Nicholas Cathedral, April 2023. / Gatis Pāvils, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tallinn Town Hall

Harjumaa

The only intact Gothic town hall in Northern Europe, built in 1402 – 1404.

Tallinn Town Hall
Tallinn Town Hall./ Medvedev, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Kõpu Lighthouse

Hiiumaa

One of the oldest continuously used lighthouses in the world. Constructed in 1531, 36 m tall.

Kõpu Lighthouse, Hiiumaa in Estonia
Kõpu Lighthouse, Hiiumaa / Ilme Parik, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Kadriorg Palace

Harjumaa

Well preserved Baroque palace with fine gardens around it. Construction started in 1718 upon the orders of Peter the Great, rebuilt by Nicholas I in 1827 and Konstantin Päts. Now serves as a gallery of art.

Kadriorg Palace
Kadriorg Palace. / Jorge Franganillo, Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Toompea Castle

Harjumaa

Medieval castle of great historical significance to Estonia, built on the top of limestone tableland. The first fortress was built there sometime around 1050, later this fortress included the whole of medieval Tallinn. Now it houses the Parliament of Estonia. Includes Pikk Hermann – 45.6 m tall watchtower, built in 1360 – 70 and in the 16th century.

Toompea Castle
Toompea Castle. / Abrget47j, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Palmse Manor

Lääne-Virumaa

Huge manor complex, built in 1697 – 1740. Restored not just the manor house but also the park and numerous other buildings in the manor complex.

Palmse Manor
Palmse Manor. / Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, Flickr / CC BY 2.0
St. Olaf’s Church

Harjumaa

Medieval church, the tallest church in the world in 1549 – 1625. Now the spire is 123.7 m tall. A church could have existed here already in the 12th century, first mentioned in written sources in 1267.

Church of Saint Olaf, Tallinn
Church of Saint Olaf, Tallinn. / Guillaume Speurt, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
Hermann Castle (Narva Castle)

Ida-Virumaa

A massive, well preserved medieval castle, founded in 1256, the present building was constructed mainly in the 14th century. Its dominant is the 51 m high Long Hermann tower. Castle is facing the Ivangorod Fortress on the Russian side.

Hermann Castle (Narva Castle) in Estonia
Hermann Castle (Narva Castle) / Priit Tammets, Flickr / CC BY 2.0
St. Mary’s Cathedral in Toompea (Dom Church)

Harjumaa

The oldest church in mainland Estonia. The first stone church was built here sometime around 1240, and later extended.

St. Mary’s Cathedral (Dom Church), Tallinn
St. Mary’s Cathedral (Dom Church), Tallinn. / Ren12, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Karja Church

Saaremaa

Small medieval church, built in the late 13th – early 14th century. This small church is ornamented with amazing, mysterious symbols.

Karja Church
Karja Church, Saaremaa. / Laima Gūtmane, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Pöide Church

Saaremaa

Medieval church, possibly the oldest one in Estonia. A chapel was built here in 1227, there are also murals from this time.

Pöide Church
Pöide Church. / Bobo Boom, Flickr / CC BY 2.0
St. Nicholas’ Church (Niguliste Church)

Harjumaa

Large medieval church. The first stone church was built here sometime around 1230 – 1275, rebuilt in Gothic style in 1405 – 1420. Now the church has a 105 m tall tower and contains interesting art values.

Tallinn St. Nicholas’ Church (Niguliste Church)
Tallinn St. Nicholas’ Church (Niguliste Church). / Ivar Leidus, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Valjala Church

Saaremaa

One of the oldest churches in Estonia, with parts of it built in 1227 – 1228. Contains remnants of medieval murals. Built in Romanesque and Gothic styles.

Valjala Church
Valjala Church. / Ivo Kruusamägi, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Taagepera Castle

Valgamaa

An unusual manor house, built in National Romanticism style in the early 20th century. Includes 40 m tall tower.

Taagepera Castle, Estonia
Taagepera Castle / Ivar Leidus, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 EE
Koguva village

Saaremaa

Unusually well preserved traditional village with some 100 historical buildings from 1880 – 1930.

Koguva
Koguva. / Laima Gūtmane, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Alatskivi Palace

Tartumaa

Large Neo-Gothic palace, built in 1876 – 1885.

Alatskivi Palace
Alatskivi Palace. / Rauno Kalda, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Koluvere Castle

Läänemaa

Medieval castle that gradually developed here since the 13th century. Castle is built on an artificial island in the river, with a park around it.

Koluvere Castle
Koluvere Castle. / Williamson.est, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

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