Page 72 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

70 EST ONIA REGION B Y REGION

of porcelain, dating from the
1930s to the 1960s, by the
legendary Estonian artist
Adamson-Eric (see p75).
Since the museum opened
in 1980 it has done a formid able
job of promoting Estonian
design at home and abroad.
Be sure to pick up a copy of the
map, which highlights some
notable examples of public
design around Tallinn.

r Church of the
Transfiguration of
Our Lord
Issandamuutmise kirik
Suur-Kloostri 14–1. Map 1 C2. Tel 565
1090. @ 3. v 1, 2. Open 9am–2pm
Sun. ^ 510am Sun.
∑ teelistekirikud.ekn.ee
Located close to a stretch of the
medieval city wall, the secluded
Renaissance-era House of Blackheads, with ornate front door Church of the Transfiguration
of Our Lord has an impressive
w House of regularly hosts chamber music Baroque-style spire and a richly
Blackheads concerts in its elegant main deco rated interior. The church
hall, which is noted for its originally belonged to St
Mustpeade maja
wood-panelled interior. Michael’s Convent of the
Pikk 26. Map 1 C2. Tel 669 9947. Cistercian Order but was closed
@ 5, 40. v 1, 2, 3, 4. Open only for down during the Reformation.
chamber music concerts (call for Briefly serving as a church for
timings). ∑ mustpeademaja.ee e Estonian the Swedish garrison, it was
Museum of Applied
This 15th-century Renaissance handed over to the Orthodox
building was the meeting Art and Design Church in 1716 during the rule
place of the Brotherhood of Eesti tarbekunsti ja of Peter the Great, who donated
Blackheads, an association disainimuuseum the extraordinary iconostasis by
of unmarried merchants and Russian architect Ivan Zarudny.
shipowners who were then Lai 17. Map 1 C2. Tel 627 4600. The church also has a bell
@ 3. v 1, 2. Open 11am–6pm
able to join the more power ful Wed–Sun. & = ∑ etdm.ee dating from 1575, the oldest
Great Guild upon marriage. in Tallinn.
The unusual name was der ived Housed in a converted
from the North African 17th-century granary, the
St Maurice, the organization’s Estonian Museum of Applied
patron saint, whose image can Art and Design features the
be seen on the ornate front best in Estonian design from
door of the building. the early 20th century to the
Unlike their counterparts present day. The vast selection
in Rīga (see p152), the Tallinn of exhibits, which include
Blackheads were obliged to jewellery, ceramics, glass, furni-
defend the city in times of ture and textiles, is a splendid
strife and proved themselves example of the pride that
especially formidable adver saries Estonia takes in applied arts.
during the Livonian Wars Many of the exhibits meld
(1558–83). However, in general, Scandinavian-style refinement
it seems that the wealthy young with subtle Baltic irony to
Blackheads lived somewhat excellent effect. Some of the
leisurely and hedonistic lives. fantastic examples of furniture
The associa tion survived until are especially eye-catching and
the Soviet invasion in 1940, and a delight for art enthusiasts. Baroque spire of the Church of the
today the House of Blackheads There are also some fine pieces Transfiguration of Our Lord
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp296–7 and pp314–16