Tartu Market Hall

The Miikse St. John the Baptist Church is a small wooden Orthodox church located in the southeastern corner of Estonia in Setomaa. What makes this church special is its story. It was built in 1953, during the Soviet era, when religion and church construction were not encouraged. However, the local people took a bold step and built the church themselves, often working in the evenings and at night to avoid the authorities' attention. Today, Miikse Church is once again a symbol of the strength and perseverance of the Seto community, where the local community restored the dilapidated sanctuary into a new and striking Seto church. The altar and icons were preserved, but the new facade features a lace-like pattern using Seto colors (red, blue, and sheep's wool white) and Seto belt patterns. The church's surroundings also include an old cemetery and sacred stones, which lend the place a special historical and spiritual atmosphere. The church is open once a month during service, and at other times, access can be arranged by agreement with the church elder (who communicates in Estonian and Russian). For a foreign-language tour of Setomaa, we recommend booking a local guide.

At Ilmaveere Restaurant in Setomaa, you will find a cozy atmosphere, dishes made with seasonal local ingredients, and the most beautiful view of South Estonian nature and Lake Obinitsa! The restaurant follows the principle of zero waste and respects and uses every part of every ingredient, leaving the smallest possible footprint. What is left over goes to our wonderful chickens. We always try to offer something new depending on the fresh ingredients, so the menu is always a little different. You can enjoy a 5-course tasting journey or choose from the a la carte menu. See you at Ilmaveere!

Räpina Paper Factory (originally a paper mill) was completed in 1734, making it the oldest Estonian industrial company to still be in operation. It is also one of the most unique examples of industrial architecture in Europe. The first paper machine arrived in Räpina from Germany in 1873, which was when the mill became a factory. It produced a variety of paper for writing and printing. Three more machines were later introduced to the factory, one of which is still in use - if a little rejigged - today.As a company that cares about the environment, the factory aims to combine contemporary and environmentally friendly production technology with 300 years of production experience.

Jaani Church, located right in the heart of the city, was built in 1816 according to the design of architect Christoph Haberland and it is the only church in Estonia with an oval ground plan. The unique organ has been preserved in its original shape and it is the only instrument built by Friedrich Ladegast still left in Estonia.Interesting facts: * the organ is one of the 200 best organs in Europe; * music can be heard from the church’s bell tower at midday and midnight.

Tartu St. Peter's Church is one of the most beautiful neo-Gothic Lutheran sanctuaries in Southern Estonia, established in the late 19th century as a spiritual home for the growing Estonian-speaking community. Designed by architect Viktor Schröter, the church is distinguished by its 56.5-meter-high tower and impressive brick facade, which reshaped the entire Ülejõe district's appearance. The church hall is bright and spacious, featuring a remarkable three-story interior. Wooden balconies and neo-Gothic arches add warmth and a dignified rhythm to the space, creating the impression of a true city cathedral. Visitors can admire Johann Köler's altarpiece "Inviting Christ" (1897) and listen to the late-19th-century 22-register organ, making Peetri Church one of Tartu's most esteemed concert venues due to its excellent acoustics. The church was established near the site of Estonia's first national song festival and has been an important part of Estonian cultural and congregational history since its cornerstone was laid in 1882.

A sculpture created in Tartu's Old Town in 1999 depicts a fun speculation about the history of literature. Sitting on a bench are contemporaries and namesakes, or the two Wildes: Irish-born writer Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) and Estonian writer Eduard Vilde (1865-1933). Sculptor Tiiu Kirsipuu, who modeled the figures of the writers based on photographs, has noted that when creating the twin figures, she had in mind the year 1890, when the two Wildes could have really met each other and had a few witty words. The sculpture symbolizes friendship and intercultural dialogue. The sculpture of the two writers is located in front of the former Mattiesen printing house, one of Tartu's architectural monuments, which now houses the wine and art restaurant Vilde ja Vine. The statue is a beloved landmark among both locals and visitors. Sitting on the bench next to the writers allows you to take nice pictures as a souvenir of your visit to Tartu. In 2004, a copy of the sculpture was also donated to the city of Galway in Ireland, where the paternal family of literary classic Oscar Wilde came from.

Lake Kiidjärv is the perfect place to enjoy the beach or summer evenings: there is a sandy beach, two swimming bridges, and a small playground for children. Swim at the beach at your own risk! Kiidjärve Manor Park is located near the swimming area.Nearby are Kiidjärve Water Mill, RMK Kiidjärve Visitor Centre, Roiupalu study trail (800 m), Valgesoo bog study trail and watchtower (3.5 km), and Large Taevaskoda sandstone outcrop (3.5 km).The buildings of Kiidjärve Manor were built in the second half of the 18th century and the park was probably built at the same time. The manor house was destroyed in a fire in 1950, but some smaller buildings have been preserved, such as a granary-drier.

Come and discover the magic of blind embossing! Create your own embossed artwork in a unique printmaking workshop. Cut an image into a linoleum sheet and see how the play of shadow and light remains on the paper. Blind embossing is a printing technique where a linoleum block is printed without color, leaving only a relief mark on the paper. In the workshop, each participant will make a linoleum block (10x15 cm) according to their own design. To prepare, it is a good idea to think through your design in advance or search for an image online for inspiration. Check out more exciting print and paper art workshops on our website!