Page 336 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

334 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Shopping in Tallinn
Tallinn has witnessed a proliferation of sleek new shopping
malls in recent years. Most international brand names can be
found alongside a considerable range of popular Scandinavian
brands. Tallinn’s Old Town, which has some exclusive fashion
boutiques and speciality art shops, is also one of the best places
in the capital for gift shopping and souvenir hunting. Almost
every street has something in the way of traditional handicrafts,
such as ceramics, glassware, linen, wooden utensils and toys.
There are plenty of stores and market stalls which specialize in
art, antiques, jewellery, amber, knitted woollens, patchwork
Colourful ceramic collection at the stylish
quilts and interesting knick-knacks. The Christmas Market in Bogapott studio
Town Hall Square is especially popular and brings together
virtually every imaginable Estonian product.
Handicrafts
Much more than just souvenirs
aimed at tourists, Estonian
handicrafts are synonymous
with a traditional way of life that
persists even today. Tallinn
abounds with a bewil dering
variety of handicrafts. Wooden
toys and utensils are particularly
common as are a wide range of
ceramics, inclu ding candle-
holders modelled after the Old
Town buildings. Traditionally
woven rugs are still made today,
some of which are more like
Russian dolls and amber jewellery for sale on one of Tallinn’s souvenir stalls works of art with their beautiful
and elaborate patterns.
Markets
the corner of Viru and Bogapott, an exclusive
Tallinn’s main market, the Müürivahe covers a sizeable ceramics studio, and Galerii
open-air Central Market, offers stretch of the Old Town wall Kaks, with its wide range of
a glimpse into the everyday life and is a great place to find a textiles, are worthy of a visit.
of the city’s inhabitants. Stalls gift. Uus Käsitööturg, a popular Nukupood stocks handmade
full of fresh produce may not stall in the market, has a good toys as well as dolls dressed in
offer much variety for the selec tion of traditional traditional folk costumes of
average souvenir-hunter, but handicrafts and souvenirs. The Estonia. In Katariina Gild,
the Central Market’s bustling Christmas Market in Town Hall craftsmen can be seen creat ing
atmosphere is worth the Square (see pp62–3), which runs handicrafts, jewellery and
experience. Those interested in through December, features ceramics. A-Galerii has a
shopping can try and haggle. everything from knitwear and dazzling selection of local
The market selling knitwear at decorative items to marzipan. handmade jewellery.

Art and Antiques
Tallinn’s contemporary art scene
offers plenty of galleries and
small shops that stock all
manner of attractive oil
paintings, graphic art, textiles,
sculpture and off-beat ceramics.
The city has several antique
stores selling everything from
Soviet-era paraphernalia to
exorbitantly priced Russian
icons. Emerging only in the
1990s, antique shops have
quickly become a fascinating
Woven baskets, knitting wool and textiles at the Town Hall Square market and flourishing retail niche.