Page 76 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

74 EST ONIA REGION B Y REGION

of the Russification policies
carried out by Alexander III, it
was due to be demolished in
1924, but the controversial plan
was never carried out.
The extravagant altar is made
up of a dazzling display of
icons, while the sheer scale
of the cathedral’s interior is
equally impressive.
p Cathedral of
St Mary the Virgin
Toomkirik
Toomkooli 6. Map 1 B2. Tel 644 4140.
v 3, 4. Open Jun–Aug: 9am–5pm
daily; Sep–May: 9am–5pm Tue–Sun.
5 5pm Wed, noon Sat, 11am Sun.
∑ eelk.ee/tallinna.toom
Popularly known as Dome
Church, St Mary’s is believed to
be the oldest church in Estonia.
It was built in 1240 by the Danes
and underwent extensive
rebuilding over the years. The
somewhat plain Gothic exterior
dates from the 14th century,
while the beautiful interior
boasts an elaborate Baroque
The Neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevsky Cathedral pulpit and a widely admired
organ built in 1878. Other
i Toompea Castle privileges until 1878, when it significant features include 107
Toompea loss was officially merged with aristo cratic coats of arms and the
the rest of the city below. fine Renaissance tomb of the
Lossi plats 1a. Map 1 B3. Tel 631 6345. French-born mercenary Pontus
v 3, 4. Open 10am–4pm Mon–Fri.
8 call in advance. 7 ^ o Alexander de la Gardie, who cap tured
∑ riigikogu.ee Narva for the Swedes from the
Nevsky Cathedral Russians in 1581, during the
The elegant and unassuming Aleksander Nevski katedraal Great Northern War (1558–82). In
pink Classical façade of this vital Lossi plats 10. Map 1 B3. Tel 644
seat of power belies its history. 3484. v 3, 4. Open 8am–8pm Sat,
The castle is now home to 8am–7pm Sun–Fri. 5 8:30am
Riigikogu (Estonia’s Parliament), Mon–Sat, 10am Sun. ^ =
but for some 700 years it ∑ teelistekirikud.ekn.ee
belonged to various occupying
foreign powers. In the 9th The imposing Alexander Nevsky
century, a wooden fortress Cathedral was built between
stood on the site, which was 1894 and 1900, under the
conquered by the Danes in orders of Tsar Alexander III. As
1219, who then constructed the intended, the Neo-Byzantine
stone forti fications around the edifice dominates Castle Square
hill, much of which still survive. with its towering onion domes
The architecturally diverse and golden crosses.
castle complex features the Legend has it that the
50-m (164-ft) Pikk Hermann cathedral was built on the grave
Tower, above which flies the of the Estonian folk hero Kalev.
Estonian flag. The unique- It is named after the sainted
looking Riigikogu building, Russian duke Alexander Nevsky
which was built in 1920–22, (1219–63), who defeated the
is situated in the castle court- Livonian Knights on the banks
yard. Toompea as a whole of Lake Peipsi in 1242. Disliked Intricately designed Baroque pulpit,
enjoyed its own rights and by many Estonians as a symbol Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp296–7 and pp314–16