The name Estonia (which is Esti in Estonian language) seems to derive from Aestii, used by a Roman chronicler in 100 B.C. to describe all the tribes east of Germany. Its capital - Tallinn - was first mentioned in written chronicles in 1154 by a famous Arab explorer Alldrisi, who back then marked it on its world map as kolovan. Throughot the history Tallinn has had other names given by its hostile neighbors: Lindanise by the Scandinavians and Reval by the Germans. Eventually the name Tallinn stayed.
Te present-day Tallinn was first inhavited in the 10th century when a stronghold was built on Toompea Hill, which ever since remained the seat of the ruling power and teh church authorities. The location was chosen by the first settlers for its favorable geographical position-a hillside in teh immediate vicinity of the port, which conveniently remained on teh East-West trading route.
The advantageous position of the town was an object of desire to many neighboring nations, which at the end, turned to be a motive for continuous warfare.
In 1219 the first foreign invasion occurred when teh Danish invaded Northern Estonia. But 100 years later they got tired of the constant native rebellions, sold the territory to German Teutonic Order for 19.00- silver marks. A couple of centuries passed and the Swedes came and then the Russian Empire conquers the country. Estonia declars its first independence in 1918, which lasted until the first Soviet occupation in 1940, followed by the Nazi occupation the year after teh second Soviet occupation in 1944.
The Republic of Estonia has enjoyed its freedom at the fullest for the last 16 years, when the Soviet regime fell into pieces and a totally new future opened up for many ex Soviet Republics.
During these last yeasrs the country has been functioning in high speed in order to catch up all the lost eyars- it has been open, dynamic and hard working. The development has been very rapid and now it is partically as any other European country. Nowadays Tallinn is inarguably a beautiful town, which, in spite of numerous wars, rulers and reconstructions, has managed to retain its medieval enviroment and structure. Actually, the fact taht the town's network of medieval streets, churches and dwelling houses has been preserved practically intact, has earned teh town an honor to be inserted in the list of the Unesco World Heritage list as a living museum.
The charming old town with its medieval houses, winding cobblestone streets, red roofs and chimneys seems to be perfect background of fairy-tail story books. In the summertime it is always alive with its bustling Town Hall main square, numerous restraunts, outdoor cafes, open-air concerts and events, artisan galleries, souvenier and craft shops. |
