Tallinn, Estonia...
This week, instead of Scenic Sunday, I thought I'd do a photo post about a walking tour in Tallinn's medieval Old Town. Themed "Estonian music through the ages", the tour began outside the boutique Savoy Hotel.
As soon as I saw our guide, I knew it was going to be a good tour:
That's him, staring at the modern picture-taking contraption around my neck. He looks perplexed, no?
While we snacked on smoked cheese, turnips and Seabuck-thorn juice, we were treated to medieval music played on a variety of old instruments.
Here is one of them. Did anyone catch it's name?
Another instrument looked like a Swiss alphorn and sounded like a didgeridoo. Does anyone know what this one is called?
Next we visited the House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, nearly the only preserved renaissance building in Tallinn. Built in 1399, the Blackheads guild was composed of unmarried merchants who named their brotherhood after the African christian martyr St. Mauritius.
The building has the most magnifcent door in the city.
Image: Brunswyck
We took a tour of the building and were thrilled to come upon an orchestra practicing in one of the large halls. They usually perform at the Estonia Concert Hall our guide told us.
Downstairs in what was once a courtyard, we listened to Rondellus play songs from the middle ages. On the hurdy gurdy and the lute, they played a song written by Henry VIII, in which he promises to love his mistress until his death. I wonder which mistress? Did she keep her head?
Next we walked to the oldest coffee house in the city, Cafe Maiasmokk on Pikk Street. Wood-paneled interiors and a stunning painted glass ceiling were the highlights of this historic coffeehouse that's been here since 1864.
A violinist played Gershwin for us as we sipped tea and coffee and ate marzipan cake.
Image: HoHum
Originally a sweets factory, the building later became a sweets shop and is now a favorite with the locals who want to take a coffee break during shopping excursions. After a few restful moments with our cake and coffee, we continued the walking tour.
Suddenly, a policeman appeared out of nowhere, yelling for us to stop taking photos!
We were all a bit confused at first. But just at the moment we saw him whip out the furry pink handcuffs, we realized his uniform was KGB, not Estonian politsei.
Puzzlement turned to laughter, as he 'forced' us to board a dilapidated Soviet bus. On board, he whipped out the vodka and a guitar, and demanded we sing along with him.
And we did! In Russian, of course.
When this tour began I had no idea that in a few hours I'd be drinking vodka and singing in Russian. It was a great time in Old Town Tallinn. I highly recommend it!
Have you been to Tallinn? What was your experience there?
This tour was put on by Blue Drum, an event management company based in Tallinn. Check out their website to find out more about them.
Images, unless otherwise noted: Melody Moser
Another post about Tallinn you might like:
A list of useful websites:
Some books I used ot help me research this trip:
