Tallinna graafiline album

Käesolev album on juba minu kolmas pildikogumik Tallinna vanalinnast. 30 aastat olen ikka ja jälle seda põnevat paika kujutanud ja huvi pole siiani raugenud. Nagu eelmises raamatus kirjutasin, on Tallinna vanalinn lummav paik. Siin on säilinud võimsaid linnakindlustusi, uhkeid kirikuid, esinduslikke gildihooneid ja põnevaid hoovisoppe. Tegelikult on siin lausa kaks eri linna: aadlike oma üleval Toompeal ja kaupmeeste-käsitööliste all-linn, mida ei kindlustatud üksnes välisvaenlase, vaid ka ülalinna vastu. Linn on kuulunud mitme riigi valitsuse alla ja siin on elanud paljude rahvuste esindajad – see kõik on andnud oma panuse linna tänasesse ilmesse. Linna ajaloole viitavad nimedki. Norra kuninga Olav II järgi nimetatud Oleviste kirikule, mida peetakse üheks keskaja kõrgeimaks ehitiseks maailmas, panid aluse Skandinaavia kaupmehed. Vene tänava kandis kauplesid venelased. Kaupmeeste ning meresõitjate pühakule Nikolausele pühitsetud Niguliste kirik rajati algselt sakslaste asula keskusena. Tallinna lugu on nii põnev, et kui kord selle uurimist alustada, on peaaegu võimatu lõpetada. Selles kogumikus olen kokku pannud pildid, mis mulle endale rohkem meeldivad, loodan, et ka teistele. Head vaatamist! This album is already my third collection of pictures featuring Tallinn’s Old Town. For 30 years, I have depicted this fascinating place time and again, and my interest has not faded to this day. As I wrote in my previous book, Tallinn’s Old Town is an enchanting place. It has preserved powerful city fortifications, grand churches, stately guild halls, and intriguing hidden courtyards. In fact, it is practically two different towns in one: the nobles’ town up on Toompea Hill and the lower town of merchants and craftsmen, which was fortified not only against foreign enemies but also against the upper town. The city has been under the rule of several nations and has been home to people of many nationalities – all of whom have contributed to its look today. Even the street and building names hint at the city’s rich history. St. Olaf’s Church, named after King Olaf II of Norway and once considered one of the tallest structures in the medieval world, was founded by Scandinavian merchants. Russian merchants traded around Vene (Russian) Street. St. Nicholas’ Church, dedicated to Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants and seafarers, was originally founded as the center of a German settlement. The story of Tallinn is so fascinating that once you start exploring it, it is almost impossible to stop. In this collection, I have gathered the pictures that I personally like the most, and I hope others will enjoy them too.