Karlova

Karlova, with its more than 400 wooden buildings, represents one of the sights of Tartu. In big and wealthier cities of Northern Europe such settlements have given way to more modern stone buildings a long time ago but fortunately, they still exist in Tartu.
At the end of the 19th century the building of Tartu started to be rapidly extended along the axis of Tähe Street in the direction of the south-east. Since these areas were not yet within the town limits- Karlova was not connected to Tartu until 1916- no compliance with the building rules of the town was required here. That is how apartment buildings put together in a very cheap way emerged here, which is why richer people gave Karlova the pejorative nickname of Pilpaküla (Splinter Village). As if for counterbalance the narrow and poorly paved streets of the new district were given very beautiful names, such as Päeva (Day), Sõbra (Friend), Õnne (Happiness), Vabaduse (Freedom), Lootuse (Hope), Kevade (Spring).
The historical centre of Karlova is a manor with outhouses built at the end of the 18th century. Opposite the manor is one of the most beatiful and functional school buildingsof Tartu of that time, built in 1939- the building of the present University of Tartu Teachers Seminar.