Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn (must see)

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral in the Tallinn Old Town. It was built to a design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Tallinn's largest and grandest orthodox cupola cathedral. It is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky who in 1242 won the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipus, in the territorial waters of present-day Estonia. The late Russian patriarch, Alexis II, started his priestly ministry in the church.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral crowns the Toompea Hill, the political center of Estonia. The cathedral was built during the period of late 19th century Russification and was so disliked by many Estonians as a symbol of oppression that the Estonian authorities scheduled the cathedral for demolition in 1924, but the decision was never implemented due to lack of funds and the building's massive construction. As the USSR was officially non-religious, many churches including this cathedral were left to decline. The church has been meticulously restored since Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tallinn. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Sight Location: Tallinn, Estonia (See walking tours in Tallinn)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Tallinn Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Tallinn, Estonia

Create Your Own Walk in Tallinn

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tallinn is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Tallinn Introduction Walking Tour

Estonia鈥檚 capital Tallinn is the country鈥檚 largest city and cultural hub. One of the biggest ports on the Baltic Sea, the area has been known for its convenient harbor since as early as the 10th century. Owing to its strategic location for trade between Russia and Scandinavia, the Kingdom of Denmark laid claim on this land in 1219. The city itself, first mentioned in 1154, was incorporated in... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Tallinn Medieval Old Town

The Old Town of Tallinn is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1997. The area emerged in the 13th-16th centuries when Tallinn was an active member of the Hanseatic trade league, slowly evolving into an enclosed district of colorful, ancient gabled houses, medieval towers and gates, half-hidden courtyards, and ostentatious churches.

Today it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

Tallinn Old Towers and Gates

Once Europe's greatest fortified city, Tallinn had 46 defense towers and approximately 4 kilometers of surrounding walls. Today, there are 26 towers and about 2 kilometers of walls still in place, making the Old Town of Tallinn one of the best-preserved systems of medieval fortifications in Europe.

Upon entering the district through the Viru Gate, whose two picturesque, ivy-covered towers... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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