Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
• You're standing at the back of Tallinn's onion-domed Russian cathedral. Circle around
to the far side (facing the pink palace) to enjoy a great view of the church, and to find the
entrance.
Russian Orthodox Cathedral:
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built here in
1900 smack in Tallinn's political power center and over the supposed grave of a legendary
Estonian hero, Kalevipoeg; a statue of Martin Luther was also taken down to make room.
While it's a beautiful building, its placement was a crass attempt to flex Russian cultural
muscle during a period of Estonian (and German) national revival, and there were plans
(later shelved) to remove it in the 1920s after Estonia became independent. The church
has been exquisitely renovated inside and out. Step inside for a sample of Russian Ortho-
doxy. It's OK to visit discreetly during services (daily at 10:00 and 18:00), when you'll hear
priests singing the liturgy in a side chapel. More than 40 percent of Tallinn's population is
ethnic Russian (church free and open daily 8:00-19:00, icon art in gift shop).
