Town Hall - Arced Bridge - Leaning House - Rüütli Street - St. John's church - Botanical Gardens - Jaani Street - Main building of Tartu University - Dome Church - Devil's Bridge - Old Anatomical Theatre - Angel's Bridge - Observatory of Tartu - University Library - Small Vanemuine Theatre - Riia Street - Vanemuine theatre - E. Mathiesen's printing house

A short overview of the history of Tartu

Archeological finds excavated in Tartu give us confirmation that the Dome Hill of Tartu was a temporary settlement of hunters and fishermen at the beginning of the Stone Age already in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. With the time passing, more permanent settlements were established at the crossing of roads and waterways. Trading routes went through Tartu in the direction of Southern Estonia and Latvia (Latgals), from the Baltic Sea ports to Pskov and Novgorod. By the 5th-6th century a powerful ancient Estonian stronghold had been built on the high headland at the river where the Observatory stands today. It is possible that at the foot of the stronghold there was also a borough. In the first half of the 11th century Tartu was the most important fortified centre in the northern part of the ancient county Ugandi. The first mention of Tartu in written chronicles was made in 1030, the year when the Kiev prince Yaroslav the Wise successfully raided Tartu burning down the Estonian stronghold. The Russian foothold Yuryev built on its ashes survived until 1061.

At the beginning of the 13th century when the freedom fight against German feudal lords started, Tartu played an immense role in the history of the area. In 1212 Germans succeeded in burning down Tartu which helped them baptise the local people forcibly. In 1224 Tartu finally fell into the hands of the Knights of the Cross. Later Germans built a mighty stone castle for the seat of the Bishop on the site of the former stronghold. The Bishop ruled almost the whole of South - Eastern Estonia. Tartu as a town is first mentioned in 1248. Most probably in the 14th century the Dome Hill and the town were surrounded by a defence wall and a moat, a part of which ran along the present Vallikraavi street. The total length of the wall was 2.2 kilometres, there were 17 towers and 7 towers had gates in them. The wall separated the lower town from the Bishop's estate on the Dome Hill. The town was surrounded by its outskirts, gardens and pasture-land. The defence structures have not survived with the exception of a couple of remains of the town wall. Medieval public buildings and dwelling houses have disappeared without a trace.

Trade with Novgorod and Pskov helped Tartu become one of the most important commercial towns in Livonia. We may presume that at the end of the 13th century Tartu became a member of the Hanseatic League. In the middle of the 16 century the population of Tartu had reached 6,000 (in Livonia only Riga and Tallinn were larger). The majority of people were Estonians but the leading role in the town's life belonged to German merchants and craftsmen. There were also many Russians who lived in a separate township. At the end of the 16th century new wars caused destruction. In 1558 Tartu was conquered by the Russian troops. During the Swedish-Polish wars the town went from hands into hands. In 1625 Swedes again took hold of Tartu and a longer peaceful period under the rule of Swedes followed. Tartu became one of the most important Swedish footholds in Livonia: the Livonian Royal Court and the Supreme Consistory started working here. Tartu was under the Swedish rule until 1704. The rulers strengthened the positions of the protestant church establishing a secondary school in Tartu in 1630 which was converted into a university two years later. In honour of the King Gustavus II Adolphus the university was named Academia Gustaviana. The university functioned with interval until 1699 in Tartu, then it was transferred to Pärnu where it was closed in 1710.

In the year 1700 the Great Northern War broke out between Sweden and Russia. As a result, the territory of Estonia was united with Russia for a long time. In 1704 Tartu fell into the hands of the Russian troops led by Boris Sheremetyev. The continuing war with Sweden resulted in a full destruction of the town. In 1763 a Russian military engineering unit started large - scale reconstruction of the fortification system of Tartu which was not completed. In the course of work the ruins of the bishop's castle were pulled down and the bastions surrounding the Dome Hill obtained the present configuration. The damaging fires of the 18th century (1755, 1763, 1775) caused the disappearance of the whole architectural heritage and only in the fire of 1775 two thirds of the town burnt down: 290 houses, the Town Hall and most of the shops. Even the two bridges spanning the river Emajõgi suffered. Soon the reconstruction started in conformity with the architectural canons of Russian classicism. The ensemble of the centre with the Stone Bridge and the Cathedral of Assumption was erected. Lively construction attracted foreign architects to Tartu, Johann Heinrich Bartholomäus Walter being one of the most talented among them. The reopening of the university in 1802 enriched the townscape with many university buildings (the main building, the observatory, the anatomical theatre).

In 1876 a railway link was built and Tartu had connections with St. Petersburg and Tallinn via Tapa, in 1889 with Riga and Pskov via Valga. On the initiative of J. V. Jannsen and L. Koidula the Singing and Theatrical Society "Vanemuine" was founded in Tartu in 1865. The Estonian Writers' Society was established in 1872. In the course of time the level of maintenance improved. At the beginning of the 20th century the population of Tartu was about 45,000. There were 20 industrial enterprises with about 1,000 workers.

During World War 2 fierce battles were waged along the river Emajõgi in 1941 and also in 1944. Tartu lost 43.7% of its buildings including the "Vanemuine" Theatre, the Estonian National Museum, the Historical Stone Bridge, the ancient department store, numerous university buildings.

We start our tour of Tartu from Town Hall Square, the former Great Market. The trapezium - shaped square dates back to the period before the fires. The buildings in classical style were erected during reconstruction The most imposing building is the Town Hall, the early classicist structure with Baroque elements.

The Town Hall is the third building having the same function on the present site. Its predecessor (built in 1693)strongly suffered during the Great Northern War but it was finally destroyed by the fire in 1775. The present building was erected after the design of the German architect J. H. B. Walter. The festive opening took place on 9 October 1786. Similar urban palaces with towers can be found both in the Netherlands and Bavaria.

In the 19th century the vaulted cellars of the Town Hall were used for storing quicklime and firewood. Also, cells for the solitary confinement of especially dangerous criminals were there in the middle of the cellar. Between the cells there was a wastewater sewer. In the left wing of the socle floor there were prison cells for inmates of German origin, in the opposite part, facing the Dome Hill, rooms for storage, the prison guards, to the right of the main staircase - a kitchen. The city board of weights and measures first occupied the space where the present pharmacy is located. Later the guards took it over and some shops were opened. The pharmacy has been functioning here since 1922.

On the main floor there were courtrooms and the mayor's office. On the top floor half of the space was occupied by the Great Hall of the town council. By its rich design it differed from the other rooms. In the central part there were vaulted archives. The festive embellishments of the Great Hall speak of the influence of the Baroque style. The tower-clock facing the Dome Hill was installed only in 1805. The town hall clock was striking full hours during the Bishop's reign already in 1594. Until today the Town Hall of Tartu has preserved its initial functions. The municipal government occupies the two upper floors.

Standing at the entrance, we turn round and look in the direction of the vast square. In front of the Town Hall we can see a fountain - "Kissing students" (sculptor M. Karmin). The kissing students in the middle of Town Hall Square have become a symbol of Tartu.

Once upon a time two students who are in love with each other walk along the dark streets of the old town. It is autumn. Kissing and laughing they come to the Town Hall. Dark clouds cover the sky, it begins to rain. The young man opens his umbrella and embraces the girl. They kiss each other, long. Their hearts are beating in the same rhythm. The love grows and grows reaching the heavens. The girl whispers: "Be it forever!" She shuts her eyes for the new kisses. At the same moment the piercing blue arrow lightning passes through the lovers to turn them to stone. From the times bygone they have been standing on Town Hall Square to open the hearts of passers-by to love and kisses. Each time when it is raining, small read hearts drop from the umbrella. These are the hearts telling a beautiful love story. When you stop in the right moment, a tiny crimson heart may fall before your feet.

In the background you see the Archbridge spanning the river Emajõgi. Earlier there was a bridge which had also become one of the symbols of Tartu. It was the Stone Bridge built in 1776-1784 by the order of Catherine II (architects J. C. Siegfrieden, J. R. Zanlowsky). The bridge which was devastated in the warfare of 1944 is planned to be built on the initiative of the Stone Bridge Foundation to replace the present Archbridge. To our left there are several buildings which deserve our attention. They were erected in 1780-1800 with elements of Early Classicism prevailing (for example, the doors of 8 and 12, Town Hall Square). We can also trace the influence of Baroque.

2, Town Hall Square is a building which has Rococo window decorations. This was one of the first building which was constructed on the Great Market Square after the fire of 1775 and its Late Baroque features are more richly represented than on other buildings. The house is decorated with an ancient water-spout in the shape of a dragon-head. F. L. Jahnez was its designer and builder.

The building which belonged to the family of the Russian general Barclay de Tolly who became famous in the Napoleonic Wars strikes everybody's eye (18, Town Hall Square). People have named it a slanted house. Its foundation was laid out in the way that one half of it was built on the remains of the town wall (the riverside half), another one on the piles. With the lowering of the ground water level the house began to sink and slant on one side. For more than a hundred years there was a pharmacy in the building. At present the exhibition halls of the Art Museum of Tartu offering a nice overview of the Estonian art occupy the space. It is worth mentioning that in 1940, when the Art Museum was opened it had 133 paintings in its collection which has rapidly grown into a collection containing 21,636 pieces of art at the end of the year 2000. The main building of the museum is in Vallikraavi street.

The last building in the left row is a Bank, built in 1924 in the Neo-Renaissance style. On the right, the southern side of Town Hall Square is lined with buildings which have classical facades (architects A. Matteus and J. Jaagus) and they date back to the first half of the 1950s.

From Town Hall Square we turn to the main street of the old town. It is Rüütli street with shops on both sides. From the point of view of its architecture Hugo Treffner Gümnaasium (secondary school) at the corner of Rüütli and Munga street deserves attention. It is a schoolhouse. Directly opposite we can see a former post office which after restoration will house a museum of sports and a history museum of postal services. Moving along Munga street and looking to the right in the direction of a park on the banks of the Emajõgi, we can see the former building of the Bank of Estonia which was designed by Arnold Matteus, a long-time city architect of Tartu, together with Karl Burman. It was built in 1935. Behind the bank you can find the fragments of the ancient town wall.

Munga street gives us an idea of a district where medieval monasteries were situated. In 1776-1783 the Uspenski (Assumption) cathedral (after the design of P. Spekle) was built. It is characterised by good proportions, above the main body of the building there is a dome supported by a drum and a four flanking spires. The cathedral which was enlarged in the 19th century and given a rectangular shape forms an interesting ensemble together with the rectory.

We continue walking along Rüütli street. Next to the schoolhouse on our left we see one of the most precious architectural monuments - St. John's church. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of brick Gothic in Northern Europe. The church is unique because of its rich terracotta decorations. It was built in the first half of the 14th century as a three-naved basilica having a western tower. During World War 2 it was seriously damaged. At present restoration work is under way and recently the spire was completed.

On the opposite side of Lai street we can see a long low wall behind of which the University Botanical Gardens are sheltered. The Botanical Gardens started functioning in 1803, on the present site in 1806. On the territory of 3.1 ha we can find about 5,000 different plant species. The collection of cacti, the palm house and the rosary of the university are the main attractions. Here we can also see the remains of an ancient moat and fragments of the town wall. Numerous sculptures hidden in greenery create a romantic atmosphere in the park.

Moving westward along Lai street we reach the corner of Jaani street which runs parallel to Rüütli street. In Jaani street we find a couple of wooden houses which were not touched by the fire of 1775. Restored buildings are called the Tampere House (4, Jaani street) and the Uppsala House (7, Jaani street). The twin towns of Tartu have their representations there. 16, Jaani street house is a Museum of a Citizen. Tampere has been Tartu's twin town since 1993. The house was restored together with Finns and today it has rooms for the representation of the Tampere Department of Culture, Finnish students from Tampere and also guest rooms. In 1988 a friendship agreement between Tartu and Uppsala was signed. The Uppsala House which was restored in the framework of mutual cooperation also serves as a guest house. The house at the corner of Lai and Ülikooli street (20, Jaani street) attracts the visitor's attention. It was built in 1695-1696. According to a legend Peter I, the Russian emperor, lived here in 1704 after having conquered Tartu.

In the block of buildings between St. John's church and the Dome Hill workshops for craftsmen and applied artists will be opened to line the former Small Guild street and make a courtyard - the Antonius courtyard, where visitors are most welcome.

Further on, the most impressive example of classical architecture in Tartu the main building of Tartu University opens to the view. In May 1799 the construction site for the main building was confirmed by the municipal government and actual construction started from laying the foundation five years later. The work was under way in 1803-1809 after the design of Johann Wilhelm Krause, the university professor of economics, technology and civil engineering. The imposing building with a Doric portico contains a festive assembly hall which because of its excellent acoustics is also functioning as a concert hall. Since 1803 the university Museum of Ancient Arts has been housed in the main building. The façade of the main building with its six columns is a long-term symbol of the university and Tartu as a whole. In 1928-1950 a statue of the founder of the university the Swedish king Gustavus II Adolphus (sculptor O. Strandman) was decorating the university courtyard. In 1993 it was restored with the help of Swedes.

Walking along Jakobi street, we come to the foot of the Dome Hill and start ascending it. As a reward, a wonderful view opens to the eye from the top of the hill - the old town with its red roofs, the river Emajõgi, distant living districts on the left bank. In 1803-1807 the university professors Parrot, Morgenstern and Krause were the initiators of planting trees on the hill which is covered by a cool and shady park today.

We face the ruins of the Dome Cathedral which reminds us of the times when Tartu was the residence of the Bishop. To replace a wooden church, the construction of a huge stone cathedral began at the end of the 13th century. Two hundred years later the work was completed. In the second half of the 15th century the choir was rebuilt and to the western façade two big towers, unique in the Baltic area, and a portal-length wall were added. The cathedral was a typical three-naved basilica with cross vaults (eight vaults in each nave). In the choral part it was a three-naved hall church. The beauty of the cathedral made it equal to the Dome Cathedral in Riga. The fire on St. John's day in 1624 caused full destruction to the cathedral and from that time onwards it was in ruins. In 1804-1804 J. W. Krause rebuilt the choral part to house the university library which was enlarged in 1928. The library was removed from the building in 1982 to make space for the University History Museum.

Behind the ruins of the Dome Cathedral there are two interesting monuments. Firstly, we can see a monument to an outstanding 19th century biologist Karl Ernst von Baer (1792-1876). He studied at Tartu University in 1810-1817, defended his doctoral thesis and later worked in Köningsberg and St. Petersburg. K. E. von Baer was a famous embryologist, the founder of anthropology in Russia, also an ethnographer. He has conducted several expeditions to many places, among them the islands of Novaya Zemlya, Lapland, the Caspian Sea, to Lake Peipus, Lake Pskov. Thanks to him we know that rivers of the northern hemisphere wash the right bank more strongly, the rivers of the southern hemisphere - the left bank. The monument to K. E. von Baer was erected after the design of A. M. Opekushin in 1886 when the scientist's tenth death anniversary was marked.

In harmony with the prevailing style an artificial mound of stones with a grotto was added to this corner of the park. It is called a hill of kisses. Earlier there was a pond and a small rivulet flowed down the hill. It was crossed by a bridge of sighs. At the foot of the hill there is a sacrificial stone of ancient Estonians, most probably a sacred grove grew here before the Bishop's residence was founded.

Secondly, there is a monument to Kristjan Jaak (Christian Jacob) Peterson (sculptor J. Soans, architect A. Murdmaa, 1983). K. J. Peterson (1801-1822) was born in Riga. He studied in a provincial grammar school and at Tartu University. Already at school, he began to write poetry and expressed his philosophical thoughts in prose.

We move in the direction of the cathedral's façade. When we look right, across K. E. von Baer street we see a hollow, the former sand quarries, which is called Kassitoome. In 1874 this part of land was added to the park. In 1902 tennis courts were opened. Step by step the Dome Hill park became a favourite place for a leisurely stroll and picnics of the citizens. In 1869 the area of the present tennis courts became the venue of the opening ceremony of the first all-Estonia singing festival which was organised by the "Vanemuine" Singing Society. (The festival itself took place at the crossing of the present Narva Road and Puiestee Street.) Opposite the tennis courts we see the New Anatomical Theatre which was built in 1886-1888 on the initiative of rector, professor A. Schmidt.

We turn in the direction of the buildings of the Supreme Court and a hospital. A small path behind the hospital leads to the eathern wall which unites ancient bastions. We can see a monument to a famous surgeon professor Ernst Bergmann (1836-1907), (German sculptor A. Hildebrandt, 1913). E. Bergmann discovered sepsis, he also devoted his attention to the treatment of leprosy.

Further on, there are 20 m - long vaulted brick passages, a hidden access to the bastions. Already at the end of the 17th century Swedes had built huge bastions in this part of the Dome Hill.

On top of the Gustav Adolf bastion stand the buildings of the court and a hospital. The Supreme Court is the only highest institution of national power in Tartu. On top of the Karl Gustav Bastion the building of the Old Anatomical Theatre was erected. To the north-west of the Dome Cathedral there was the Bastion of Karl XI and near the Observatory - the bastion of Karl IX. After the year 1763 a Russian military engineering unit started reconstructing the system of fortifications but never completed it.

Along the path on one of the connecting walls we come to the Devil's Bridge. The present bridge is the third on the same site. The first Neo-Gothic bridge with pointed arches was built in 1808 after J. W. Krause's design. The second arch-bridge was being built in 1841-1844 and it was quite similar to the present one. The third ferroconcrete bridge was built in 1913 to commemorate the 300th jubilee of the Romanovs Dynasty of the Russian Emperal Court and it is dedicated to the Emperor Alexander I during whose reign the university was opened in Tartu for the second time. The last bridge was being built under the supervision of the surgeon W. Zoege von Mannteuffel after the design of the town architect A. Eichhorn. The basrelief of Alexander I was made by the artists C. Wetter - Rosenthal.

The origin of the name of the devil's bridge is unclear. Literature offers several explanations. According to one of them analogy with the Devil's bridge across the river Reuss in Switzerland was sought. The builder's name Mannteuffel (in German: Teufel - devil) could have served as one of the reasons, or else, the Angel's Bridge needed a counterbalance.

From the bridge, looking down to K. E. von Baer Street, we see the Monument to Peoples. This is one of the oldest monuments in Tartu (architect J. W. Krause, 1806). It is built of bricks and reminds us of the Asian tombstones. When the construction of the university main building started on the site of the medieval church, St. Mary's church, several human bones were unearthed and reburied here.

From the Devil's Bridge we move on to the Old Anatomical Theatre designed by the university architect J. W. Krause in the classical style. Initially it was a rotunda built on a foundation in the shape of a square. Only in 1860 wings were added. The building was considered to be Krause's masterpiece. The great anatomist A. Rauber, the pharmacologist R. Buchheim, the physiologist F. Bidder, the surgeon N. Burdenko and many others who have made their discoveries in this building have secured a permanent place in the history of medicine.

In front of the Old Anatomical Theatre we find a monument to the Estonian writer and physician Friedrich Robert Faehlmann (1798-1850), sculptor V. Mellik, 1930. F. R. Faehlmann worked as a lecturer in the Old Anatomical Theatre delivering a course on pharmacology. He was one of the founders of the Learned Estonian Society. F. R. Faehlmann has collected Estonian folklore, legends - the most beautiful are "Dawn and Sun-set", "The Song of Vanemuine", "Creation". He was the first to whom the idea to collect all the legends about the national hero Kalevipoeg belongs. The work was completed by the Estonian writer Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald and presented in the form of a national epic.

From the Old Anatomical Theatre we take steps to reach the Angel's Bridge built in 1836-1838 after the classical design of the university architect B. G. Jacobi. The name may have been derived from the Estonian pair of words "inglise sild"- the English bridge - because the Dome Hill park is in the English style. In Estonian "ingel", "inglise" (angel, English) sound quite similar, thus creating the confusion. The bridge is dedicated to the first Tartu University rector in the Russian period G. F. Parrot (1767-1852). The bas-relief of G. F. Parrot (artist C. Wetter - Rosenthal) decorates the bridge. It is the second bridge on the same site. From the bridge a wonderful view to the old town, the Town Hall and Lossi street opens before us.

After the Angel's Bridge our next stop will be in front of the Observatory of Tartu. J. W. Krause, already known to us, built it in 1807-1810 in conformity with the instructions given to him by astronomers. The famous astronomer and geodesist Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (1793-1864) worked as a director of the Observatory in 1820-1839. He began to order state-of-the art instruments to the Observatory of Tartu. His observations with the world's largest telescope with lenses, the Frauenhofer refractor, in 1824 made him and the Observatory of Tartu world famous. The monument to F. G. W. Struve (sculptor O. Männi, architect U. Ivask, 1969), standing in front of the observatory, is made of Saaremaa dolomite, the height is 8 m. When the new observatory was opened at Tõravere in 1963, historical instruments were collected and a museum opened in the building on the Dome Hill. It also functions as a popular observatory for the amateurs and those interested.

Next to the Observatory there is an earthen mound which contains remains of the ancient Estonian castle, the German Bishop's castle and the Swedish Bastion of Karl IX.

We pass the Observatory and descend the stairs reaching Vallikraavi street. On the opposite side we again go up the stairs and see the Scientific Library of Tartu University (architect K. Valdre, 1982), one of the most important centres of student life. The scientific library with its collection of more than two million books is the largest depository of books in Estonia. There are a great many rare manuscripts and books. We can mention a 13th century Armenian manuscript, about 40 incunabula (books printed before 1500) and about 50 Elseviers (books printed in the 15-17th centuries in the Netherlands).

We come to Vanemuine street. When we look right, we see a nice building - 19, Vanemuine street (architect F. Hübbe, 1885) which had belonged to an aristocratic family and is the Writers' House today. In the Soviet times the local KGB department occupied it. 26, Vanemuine Street is famous for its art exhibition hall, smaller galleries, the artists' studios. In Vanemuine street there are several cultural institutions. In an old manor at 42, Vanemuine street the Estonian Literary Archives, and the Literary Museum named after Fr. R. Kreutzwald work. The museum's department of manuscripts can boast of rich collections of the manuscripts, correspondence, documents and photos of Estonian writers and cultural figures.

The next imposing building at 46, Vanemuine street (architect O. Hoffmann, 1912) houses the faculties of natural sciences of the university, the university museums of zoology and geology. 45a, Vanemuine street building is a former German theatre, today a small hall of the Theatre "Vanemuine".

We come to the Artists' House, continue our trip along Akadeemia street and reach Riia street. The central building of the square was erected in 1940 for the Defence League. For a long time the Estonian Agricultural Academy worked here. Today it houses the Baltic Defence College.

We turn back to the centre moving along Riia street. Across the street there is a green area - the Lille Hill - which was St. Antonius' cemetery in the Middle Ages.

On our left there is the Theatre "Vanemuine" together with the concert hall (reconstructed by A. Kuldsepp in 1998). "Vanemuine" was founded as a singing society in 1865. The society organised the first all-Estonia singing festivals (the first took place on 18-20 June 1869), days of music, singing festivals for men's choirs, garden concerts. At the end of the 19th century "Vanemuine" started performing operettas. Until 1903 performances were given in the society's house with a stage at 14, Jaama street. On 24 June 1870 the first play in the Estonian language, conducted and written by Lydia Jannsen (Koidula), "The cousin from Saaremaa" was performed. The day is considered to be the birthday of the Estonian theatre. Later L. Koidula's other plays were put on stage in the same building.

We turn to the terraces of the theatre to enjoy the panoramic view of Tartu. Between the theatre and the Emajõgi.

Before the destruction in World War 2 the area was a part of the town with a regular system of streets which was dating back to the 18th century. In the centre there was a rectangular trading passage decorated with Doric colonnades on all its sides (built by G. F. Geist and C. A. Kranhals in 1816-1821).

In 1957 the Victory Bridge was built and Riia street became one the main thoroughfares of the town. The Department Store of Tartu (architect U. Sisa) was completed in 1966. Almost at the same time a service centre was built next to it (architects V. Künnapuu, A. Padrik, E. Palm, 1997-1998). After reconstruction it became a hotel and a shopping centre - the Hanseatic Centre. The hotel "Pallas" bears the name of the pre-war art college, the first higher school for artists in Estonia.

On the territory between the Department Store and the river, the Business Centre of Emajõgi (architects K. Rõõmus and I. Vainu, 1998) and the Bus Station are situated. From the summer of 2000 there is still another place where you can have a splendid view of Tartu - the 14th floor of the high-rise business centre.

From the "Vanemuine" terrace we descend to Ülikooli street and turn back to the historical centre. The street is lined with new office buildings and banks. At the corner of Vallikraavi street the former printing shop, having belonged to E. Mathiesen, is situated. After reconstruction a bookshop and a popular Irish pub-cum-restaurant "Wilde"

are occupying the space. In front of the building we find two sculptures featuring the Irish writer Oscar Wilde and the Estonian writer Eduard Vilde seated on the same bench. Two writers of the same generation, having never met, create a speculative scene contradicting literary history.

The building at 8, Ülikooli street is the most beautiful example of art nouveau in Tartu. Designed by V. Kessler and R. Pohlmann, it was initially a dwelling house which presently functions as a hotel. In front of it, surrounded by ancient trees, we see a monument to Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818) who was a famous Russian commander in the 1812 Napoleonic War.

The last steps of our tour take us to a nice square full of flowers behind the Town Hall which occupies the space of the pre-war buildings bombed in World War 2. In the centre a monument to the famous Russian surgeon, anatomist and professor of Tartu University Nikolai Pirogov (1810-1881) was erected in 1952 (J. Raudsepp, A. Mölder). N. Pirogov had studied at the Professors' Institute affiliated to Tartu University.

The tourist who has planned a longer stay in Tartu can also visit Supilinn, Tähtvere, Karlova districts which can boast of original wooden architecture dating back to the beginning of the 20th century and built to accommodate the growing population of Tartu.