Page 23 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

A POR TRAIT OF EST ONIA , LA T VIA AND LITHU ANIA 21

Neo-Classical and Historicist
The Neo-Classical style arrived in the Baltic States as late as
the 1780s. The style had a strong influence on Tartu, as well
as some of the finest manor houses throughout Estonia.
However, most examples today are found in Tallinn, often as
façades on earlier buildings; some Latvian and Lithuanian
palaces also exhibit the style. Around 1820, the Historicist
movement became popular, drawing inspiration from various
styles including Gothic, Renaissance and Neo-Baroque.

Tartu’s Town Hall is an
elegant Neo-Classical
edi fice, eye-catchingly
pain ted in lilac and orange.
It was designed in the 18th
century by J H B Walter for
the Pistohlkors family.

Kaunas’s Town Hall, locally known
as the “White Swan”, was reno vated
in 1870 in Neo-Classical style. It
also bears Baroque traces, most The Latvian National Theatre, in Rīga, was designed in a
obviously in its 53-m (174-ft) tall superb Neo-Baroque style. It was completed in 1902 by architect
stepped tower. Augusts Reinbergs under the influence of Historicist aesthetics.

Art Nouveau, Modernist and Contemporary
The second half of the 19th century saw Art Nouveau gaining a hold in Rīga.
After World War I there was a reaction against earlier flamboyant styles, with
Modernists emphasizing function and Soviets favouring severe Functionalism.
Since independence, further construction has taken place in the capitals, but
it is not always in harmony with older architectural styles.
Alberta iela 13,
in Rīga, is a fine Europa Tower, in Vilnius,
example of eclectic is one of a growing
Art Nouveau, blend- number of skyscrapers
ing Classical and in the Baltic capitals,
Symbolist imagery marking the return of
and Neo-Baroque the private sector.
stylis tic features.

The National
Library, in Tallinn, is
an architectural
triumph of the late
Soviet period. Raine
Karp, the Estonian
architect who
designed it, used
local dolomitic
limestone.