• Enjoy the atmosphere of an historical university town founded in 1632
• Learn about ethnicity and culture of Estonia with a visit to the Estonian National Museum
• Gateway to Southern Estonia including the villages of the Setu people

Tartu is one of the oldest university towns in Europe and its’ university is internationally recognised as a renowned institution.  Tartu’s location on the cross roads between St Petersburg to Riga and Tallinn to Pskov (Russia) has meant that it has long been on popular trading routes.  Tartu was a constant battleground during the 16th Century between the Russians, Baltic Germans, the Poles and the Swedes.  

Under Swedish rule in 1632, King Gustavus II Aldophus established the Academia Gustaviana which later became the University of Tartu.  The 1800s in Tartu saw a growing awareness of Estonian culture, however, it was not until 1919 after independence that Estonian was the language of instruction at the university.  Swedish was the original language and then following the Napoleonic Wars, German became the main language of instruction with many of the staff having German background.  The year 1889 marked the start of greater control from St Petersburg and with this Russian became the language used at the university.

The first Estonian Song Festival was held in Tartu in 1869.  This was held to demonstrate the importance of Estonian language and culture and to prove that Estonian singers could match their German counterparts.  Again in 1988 song was used, this time to demand independence, when 300,000 people turned out for one songfest in Tallinn.

During the Soviet period, the University of Tartu did have access to funds from the USSR, but lacked contact with the outside world.  As Tartu was a closed city due to its proximity to a Soviet airbase, foreigners were not permitted to travel there.  The atmosphere at the university now is one of increasing internationalisation, with staff and students from many European Union countries as well as further a field.

Tartu has an impressive old quarter, featuring the red-bricked St. John's Church, the oldest church in Estonia and fortification walls built by invading Russians and Swedes.  Tartu is also home to the Estonian National Museum (established in 1909), which is a fascinating look at ethnicity in Estonia through the ages.  The buildings of the University are a highlight of this pretty town.  The University of Tartu Museum displays more than 350 years of the University’s history and the main University building is an excellent example of neo-classical architecture built from 1804-1809.  The park beside the river in Tartu offers peaceful walks and concerts in summer.   For an experience a little bit different, why not visit the old KGB cells?

Tartu is the best gateway for exploring the whole of southern Estonia. The Setu people live South East of Tartu and their ancient lands are now split between Russia and Estonia.  The Setu are famed for their colorful folk dress and also for their haunting, chanting style of singing. The village of Obinitsa has an interesting Setu House Museum and the town of Värska has the Setu Farm Museum.  Visits to their traditional villages can be arranged and offer an insight into their way of life. 

One of the most spectacular manor houses in Estonia today is in Tartu county.  AlatskiviCastle was built in the second half of the 16th Century. In 1880-1885 the main neo-gothic building was added along with turrets and high vaulted ceilings and was modeled on Queen Victoria’s Balmoral Castle in Scotland.  

Otepää, while traditionally the Winter Capital of Estonia is host to 30 lakes and there is plenty of wilderness to explore.  The remains of the Otepää fortress built in 1224 are still visible today.  Hiking, cycling, canoeing and horse riding are popular activities in Otepää and during the winter months Otepää is Estonia’s primary ski centre.