Tartu, Estonia

Monument in Tartu, Estonia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M%C3%A4lestuskivi_Eesti_I_%C3%BCldlaulupeole.JPG
Author: Ilme Parik


Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia. Located in the central southern part of the country, it is often regarded as the intellectual and cultural center of the country. Tartu is 186 km to the southeast of the capital Tallinn. It covers 38.8 sq km (15 sq mi) and has a population of 103,000 people.

Tartu experiences a humid continental climate. Due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea as well as warm air coming from the Atlantic, it enjoys a warmer climate than other places of this latitude. July is the warmest month here, when the average high temperature rises to 21.9°C (71.4°F). January is the coldest month, when the average low temperature drops to -10.5°C (13.1°F). Tartu receives the most rain in August, at 86 mm (3.39 in).

Traces of human habitation in the area around Tartu goes back to prehistoric times, although the first permanent settlement there is believed to have been established in the 5th century AD. Tartu was first mentioned in history in 1030, when the chroniclers of the Prince of Kiev wrote about his raid of the town.

Kalmistu outcrop, Tartu
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kalmistu_outcrop1_2008.JPG
Author: Flying Saucer


By the 13th century, repeated assault by Germans exerted an influence on Tartu, with most of the upper-crust Tartu noblemen being of German blood, and its culture, religion, architecture all bearing German influence. In the 16th century, Tartu fell under the rule of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and from there, became part ofthe Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This brought Polish influence to the city which last until the Polish-Swedish War of 1601, which brought Swedish rule and culture.

Tartu was under Swedish rule until 1721, when it was absorbed into the Russian Empire. Tartu underwent russification, which included the schools teaching in Russian and the city itself being renamed Yuryev. When Estonia gained its independence following World War I, the city was given its Estonian name, Tartu.

Tartu Railway Station
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tartu_jaamahoone.jpg
Author: DJ Sturm


The Estonian independence was shortlived, as the country was captured by the Bolsheviks and its independence renounced. From after the Second World War until Estonia regained its independence in 1991, Tartu was a closed city, forbidden to outsiders, as it was a sensitive military site for the construction of bombers. Since independence, the city has once again opened up to visitors.

Visiting Tartu

You can reach Tartu by flight, arriving at Tartu Airport (TAY), which receives regular flights from Riga and Tallinn. From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus to downtown Tartu for €3.

There are regular bus services between Tartu and Riga. The journey takes four hours and costs €15.

Tartu Water Tower built in the 1950s at the railway station
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tartu_raudteejaama_veetorn.JPG
Author: Ivo Kruusamägi

Places of Interest in Tartu

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