{"id":12244,"date":"2023-11-04T05:19:09","date_gmt":"2023-11-04T05:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cooncampsprings.com\/?p=12244"},"modified":"2023-11-04T05:19:09","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T05:19:09","slug":"i-went-to-one-of-the-cheapest-capital-cities-in-europe-and-it-was-magical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cooncampsprings.com\/travel\/i-went-to-one-of-the-cheapest-capital-cities-in-europe-and-it-was-magical\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I went to one of the cheapest capital cities in Europe and it was magical\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a jewel on the crown of the Baltic states. Famed for its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, the city is a charming destination for a quick and affordable getaway.<\/p>\n

The mesmerising Old Town is one of the best preserved medieval structures on the planet, staying true to its initial 13th century city plan.<\/p>\n

Viru Gate is an historic opening of the Tallinn City Wall built in the 14th century. The impressive stone corner towers are topped by copper coned-roofs and stand as the authentic gateway to one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Tallinn.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Transport yourself back to the Middle Ages as you stroll around the pristine cobbled streets of \u2018Tallinna vanalinn\u2019 that used to be roamed by wealthy European merchants, discovering the treasures that this gorgeous city has to offer.<\/p>\n

Tallinn Town Hall Square is one of the finest market squares in Europe. It\u2019s spacious, yet cosy, flanked by traditional bars and eateries, and overlooked by the subtly spectacular Tallinn Town Hall – the oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Europe\u2019s prettiest winter destination looks straight out of a fairytale<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Around Christmas time, the Town Hall Square is thought to be home to an iconic piece of festive history. It\u2019s believed that the very first Christmas tree was erected in Tallinn back in the 1400s by the Brotherhood of the Blackheads.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nowadays a splendid Christmas market takes place in the square every winter, complete with a huge Christmas tree at the centre as a nod to where the tradition began.<\/p>\n

Keep an eye out for Old Thomas (Vana Toomas) when visiting the Town Hall Square – he\u2019s been watching over Tallinn for hundreds of years. Legend has it that Thomas was a peasant boy with a knack for archery who won a local contest in which he had to shoot a wooden parrot with a crossbow. However, due to his social status, Thomas was not afforded the advertised prize and was instead given the title of town guard for life.<\/p>\n

An honourable position for an honourable man, Thomas served his city the best he could. According to local folklore he would hand out sweets to the children of Tallinn in the town square.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Unfortunately when he passed away, the children would ask \u2018where\u2019s Old Thomas?\u2019, so the adults decided to immortalise Old Thomas in bronze on top of the weather vane attached to the Town Hall. This way they could tell the children that Old Thomas was watching over them and how they acted. Well-behaved children were rewarded with sweets under the pillow from \u2018Old Thomas\u2019.<\/p>\n

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