Medieval Tallinn viewed from a 124m Spire, the Secret of the 5-million-year-old 'Cappuccino Waterfall'

A landscape unfolds as if time has stopped in the medieval era. This is Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, which carries the meaning of being a city built by Danes. The Old Town here preserves its ancient appearance as if the entire city were one giant museum.

The Medieval Silhouette Guarded by a 124m Spire

At the entrance to Tallinn's Old Town, heavy city walls and twin towers stand guard. As if proving it was the most solid fortress in Northern Europe during the 16th century, the walls still boast their majesty. During its heyday in the 15th and 16th centuries, 46 castle towers lined the 4.7km wall, but currently, only 25 towers remain to tell the history.

In the square, which is the center of the Old Town, the Gothic Old Town Hall stands tall, having existed for over 600 years. Considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, a market selling handicrafts and supplies is held here ahead of Christmas. In particular, 'Glühwein'—wine heated with oranges and cinnamon—provides a flavor that symbolizes the winter here.

St. Olaf's Church, one of the spires visible from anywhere in town, reaches a height of 124m. This church, which was the tallest building in Europe from 1549 to 1625, has long served as the standard for height limits for buildings in Tallinn. If you climb the narrow and steep spiral stone stairs and stand at the top of the spire, the view of the Old Town, looking as if it is wearing a Santa hat, and the distant Baltic Sea come into view at a glance. Having served as a landmark for merchant ships in the past, it remains the highest point in the city today.

Peter the Great's Summer Villa and the Ceiling of Greek Mythology

Taking a tram to the outskirts, Kadriorg Palace appears. It is a Baroque-style summer villa built in 1718 by Russia's Peter the Great for his wife Catherine. Upon entering the magnificent interior, symbols representing Peter the Great and Catherine are arranged symmetrically like a mirror, centered around the double-headed eagle that symbolizes Imperial Russia.

Greek mythology is elaborately painted on the palace ceiling. There is an interpretation that the hunter turned into a deer symbolizes the Swedish King Charles XII, and the bathing Diana symbolizes Peter the Great. The sight of children lying on the floor to look at the paintings on the ceiling adds vitality to this luxurious space.

A Brown Waterfall Resembling Cappuccino and 2,000 Islands

Lahemaa National Park, located a 40-minute drive from Tallinn, is Estonia's largest national park (725㎢), designated in 1971 during the Soviet Union era. The Viru Bog, which preserves traces of the ice age, has nutrient-deficient soil causing trees to grow stunted, and the water color, muddied by moss and soil, gives off an exotic atmosphere as if one has arrived on another planet.

The most unique scenery to be found here is Jägala Waterfall. The color of the water falling below the waterfall is a deep brown, which seems to be due to the water flowing down from the Lahemaa wetlands. The appearance, as if someone poured coffee or black tea onto the water, is reminiscent of 'cappuccino.' This waterfall, formed 5 million years ago, is constantly changing its appearance, receding by an average of 20cm every year.

Estonia, which borders the Baltic Sea, possesses more than 2,000 islands. The road leading to Naissaar Island, called the 'Island of Women,' shows the severity of winter. The harbor is frozen solid to the point where even signs are hard to recognize, and a scene unfolds where even military trucks waiting for tours are trapped in ice and unable to move. The journey of pushing through the ice makes one realize once again the harsh nature of Estonia.