Tartu University Sights, Estonia
Explore a Baltic university featuring classic architecture, an art m
Estonia's second city, Tartu, has an impressive university - full of tourist attractions! From the architecture to a gallery, and my favorite, the student lock-up.
Head to south-eastern Estonia and find the cultural and intellectual center of this friendly country. The city of Tartu is home to around 100,000, and to Tartu University, Estonia’s most renowned academic institute. In turn, it’s home to interesting attractions making it well worth a stop.
Tartu University of Estonia
Founded in 1632, Tartu University is an impressive complex. Its main building dates from the early 1800s and is considered one of the best examples of neo-classical architecture of Estonia. You can also find the Botanical Gardens and a hundred other buildings, many at the main site and others around Tartu itself, often as historical monuments.
The Art Museum of Tartu University
It’s not only the displays at Tartu University’s Art Museum that are worth seeing – the interior is also something special, featuring a Pompeii style decoration. Famous as the oldest museum in Estonia, changing exhibitions of modern Estonian art are featured alongside the regular collections of antique coins, pottery and plastercasts of ancient sculptures.
Tartu University’s Historical Student Lock-up
Ever had a problem with overdue library books? If so, be thankful you weren’t a student at Tartu University in previous centuries. A two-day stint in the attic level student prison was the punishment for such an “offence”. Today you can visit the student lock-up (usually you need to ask someone in the Art Museum to open it up for you) and see the artwork and poetry that captive students inscribed on the walls. Depending on the seriousness of their misdemeanor, students could be sent to the lock-up for weeks at a time, for a variety of interesting crimes that you can read about there.
Other Stops in Estonia
On the Edge in Narva - explore the north-eastern tip of Estonia and the border with Russia.
Estonian Island Find: Abruka - travel to a little-known island in south-west Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia’s Popular Capital – stay tuned for more information on the hotspots in this increasingly beloved destinaion
