Toompea Hill
Toompea Hill was for long separate city, the seat of sacral and secular authorities of Estonia. The oldest remaining buildings are parts of Toompea Castle (called also Castrum Danorum – Danish Castle), built in 13th century and extended by Teutonic Knights about hundred years later. Today the castle is a seat of Estonian Parliament.
On Toompea Hill lies two city cathedrals – Lutheran and Orthodox. Gothic St. Mary's Church is called Toomikirik, and is the most important Lutheran church in all Estonia. Built in 13th century was later extended, the last changes contain Baroque tower from 1770s. The tower can be visited and offer amazing view of the city. Interiors of the church are covered with burial stones and coats of arms, the oldest from 13th century.
In 1900 Russian Tsars built Alexander Nevsy's Orthodox Cathedral on a Toompea Hill, as a symbol of domination over Estonians. The onion-shape domes contrast with the panorama of steep roofs and towers, and a splendour of a church is incomparable with any other building in a city. Restoration started in 1991, and now fairy-tale exterior decorations can be admired again, as well as interior with impressive frescos and gilded iconostasis.
Toompea Hill is separated from Lower Town by a series of staircases, and a interesting Danish King's Garden. It is believed, that in that place the Danish flag fall from the sky, when Danes were fighting against Estonians.
