The view down Lai Street looks toward Saint Olaf’s Church in Tallinn, Estonia. Though it’s believed to have been built in the 12th century, it was not mentioned in written records until 1267. The church’s steeple has always been exceedingly high. Between 1549 and 1625, Saint Olaf claimed it was the highest building in the … Read more
Estonia, the northernmost of the Europe’s three Baltic States, shares a long land border with Russia. In fact, St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia, is just a few hours away by bus from the Estonian capital of Tallinn. So, it was no surprise that I heard as much Russian being spoken during my visit … Read more
The fuzzy silhouette within the long rod of amber seemed familiar, yet I wasn’t quite sure what I was seeing. I turned my head sideways and squinted to better focus. With a start, I realized I was looking at the complete body of a lizard that had been trapped in amber. The specimen at the … Read more
During the 13th ad 14th centuries, Town Hall Square in Tallinn, Estonia, was the main market square for merchants associated with the powerful German Hanseatic league. Goods sourced from around the Baltic and Scandinavian regions were sold and traded to customers who, in some cases, traveled great distances to reach the market. Though the square … Read more
Good fortune was with me during my visit to the capital city of Estonia. It coincided with the Day of Estonian Bread and Autumn Fair at the Estonian Open Air Museum in Tallinn. With its authentic collection of farms, windmills, watermills, houses, and chapels from all geographic regions of Estonia, the outdoor museum is well … Read more
