Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.12.2004, Side 45

By Valur Gunnarsson
TALLINN Picks Compiled by Valur Gunnarsson
KALMA SAUN
Vana-Kalamaja 9a,
+372 627 1811
The oldest functioning sauna
in Tallinn, built in 1928. It will
be a rare night if you hear any
language other than Russian
being spoken. The odd BMW
out front is evidence that not
all Russians are doing too
badly in New Estonia. Have
a beer and a vapour bath or
get warm to you bones in the
sauna proper.
OLD HANSA
Vana turg 1. Tel. +372 627 9020,
www.oldehansa.com
Expensive by Estonian standards, but cheap
by Icelandic, a three course meal with drinks
for two will set you back about 5000 Icelandic
krónur. Indispensable if you want to taste as
well as see and touch Medieval Tallinn.
KADRIORG PALACE
Weizenbergitanav 37, tel. +372 606 6400.
Construction started soon after Peter the Great acquired Estonia in the Great Nordic War (1700-
21) and was finished in 1736. The palace looks very much like a smaller version of the St. Petersburg
palaces. It was used as a home for the President of Estonia in 1920-40 and again from 1991 onwards,
as well as housing the foreign art museum. Behind it you can see the cottage where Peter lived during
construction.
DEPECHE MODE BAR
Nunne 4, tlf. +372 5023 615
Although Johnny Cash probably went
to his grave not knowing who or what
a Depeche Mode is, he just may have
been humming “Personal Jesus” at the
time. Being covered by the Man in
Black may be the ultimate accolade
for a band, but having a bar named
after you in Tallinn is probably a
close second. You may find the music
selection a bit one dimensional, but the
Kraftwerk and Rammstein posters in
the hall prove that DM fans do listen to
something else. On occasion.
TV TOWER
Kloostrimetsa tee 58a, www.teletorn.ee
314m Soviet monolith that now houses a
restaurant at the top. Located right beside it are
the Botanical Gardens, which are a lot more
interesting than they sound.
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