Address: Tallinn, Narva maantee, 7C. How to get there: from Viru Square: by trams No. 1, No. 3; from Viru keskus bus terminal: by buses No. 1A, 5, 8, 19, 29; No. 34A, 35, 38, 44, 51.

At the artificial park Kadriorg a history spanning three centuries and almost as long a reputation as one of the most beautiful European palace parks. It is equally loved by the townspeople and popular among tourists. A park Spread over 70 hectares. To create a park and palace ensemble, the Baroque style, popular at that time, was chosen. The park owes its name to Empress Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great - in literal translation it is "Katerina's Valley" (Ekaterinintal). But the German name did not take root in Revel. Gradually, it changed to a more understandable and close Kadriorg, derived from the Estonian version of the name Ekaterina - Kadri.

From the history of Tallinn

The Northern War, which lasted about 20 years, redrawn the borders of many European states. Estonia went to Russian Empire. Reval was commissioned one of the autumn days. In the winter of the following year, Peter I and Empress Catherine arrived in the city. They did not remain indifferent to the charm of Lasnamägi and its surroundings. Peter especially liked the view from the high cliff - construction in the harbor and most of Revel from here, at a glance.
On his next visit, the king wished to acquire part of the land from their owner. The widow Drenteln parted ways with them for 3,500 thalers. On the site that became the property of the treasury, the landowner's mansion was located. Later it will be renovated, turning it into a small and rather modest royal residence. "Peter's House" has survived to this day. But even repairs and renovations could not give the former landowner's house worthy of royalty the comfort, beauty and majesty of the palace. Therefore, already in July 1718, Peter will order the laying of a new palace designed by the Italian architect Niccolo Minchetti. Construction management was first given to Gaetano Chiaveri, assistant to the creator of the project. After 2 years in Revel M. Zemtsov will arrive, replacing the Italian. Working first with Minchetti, and then on his own, he will complete the construction. The work was carried out quickly - by the end of 1719 the outbuildings of the future palace would be covered with tiles. The interior decoration will be completed in the spring of 17921. The royal spouses will stay in them. It will take about a year to erect the walls of the main building of the complex.
All stone façade decorations were ordered from Heinrich von Bergen, a sculptor from Riga. On his last visit, Peter could not see much - finishing work was still being carried out inside, they were completed only by 1727. There is a legend that the king, who arrived at the beginning of construction, wished to lay several bricks into one of the walls with his own hands. Later, the brickwork was plastered, but those same bricks were not closed. Today you can go to the northern wing of the palace and touch those three bricks. They can be seen at the bottom of the corner pilaster. In the post-revolutionary years, the royal palace was given to the Reval Council and deputies from workers and soldiers gathered in it. Then it was transferred to the Estonian Art Museum for eight years.
In 1929, the residence was again moved there. First the state elder, and after 1938 to 1940 the president. In 1946 the palace complex was transferred to the museum again. Now the famous art museum of Kardiorg, its branch, is located in the old building.

The best corners of the palace and park complex Kadriorg

With its layout, Kadriorg is close to the old villas of Italian aristocrats. In it, the main attention is drawn to an elevated area with a palace, there are two pavilions-wings, to which paths lead. The entrance to the palace is from the facade, through a portal with a risalit brought forward, from where visitors enter the spacious vestibule. On one of its walls there is a stone cenotaph, on which sea ​​anchor and the Russian coat of arms. The Latin inscription contains the name of Tsar Peter with the date when he ordered the construction of his house to begin. In another part of the vestibule there are statues of two lions (Antonio Kakova) and Venus de Milo (copy, G. Vos). You can walk through the long suite of rooms of the palace, admiring the interiors. But the Great Hall with its complex stucco work is considered the most luxurious. Pilasters with elegant capitals decorate wreaths of flowers and volutes framing them.
The adjoining park looks no less elegant with its luxurious rose garden, fanciful flowerbeds, gazebos and fountains. One of the most beautiful corners in the park is Swan Pond. White and black swans really swim there, and in the summer a small island in the middle of the reservoir becomes a stage for concerts. Alleys fan out from the platform in front of the palace - a great place for walking in any season. In addition to decorative sculptures, there are statues of famous sculptors and writers. Today (2011), thanks to the efforts of Mason Son, a well-known landscape architect, a real Japanese garden, the only one in the Baltics, has been planted. By tradition, numerous bright azaleas, irises and curtains of rhododendrons were planted in it. Plants have perfectly adapted to the local climate and during the flowering period in this part of the park it is fabulously beautiful.
In addition to the palace, you can see the exposition in the small house-museum of Tsar Peter I. The small building has two floors furnished with furniture from the era of Peter. Some of the items belonged to the king himself. In addition to carved massive secretaires and cupboards, the royal table is perfectly preserved, on it lies a map of the Baltic, and a realistic model of the Shlisselburg, one of the ships.
Peter I liked the new residence and the park surrounding it. During one of his visits, he will notice that the park is empty, there are no walkers in the alleys. Then he was informed about the ban for citizens to visit the royal domain. To which Peter reacted immediately, ordering to publicly announce permission for the residents of Revel to freely walk around the park, enjoying wonderful views.

Additional Information

Within the territory of Cardiorga there is a branch of the art museum - the Mikkel Museum and the children's Miia-Milla-Manda. This amazing place, created taking into account the children's thirst for knowledge and the desire to touch and take in hand everything that surrounds them. Children are always satisfied with the time spent here surrounded by unusual toys. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 18:00.
There are several other museums - dedicated to A.H.Tammsaare, a classic of Estonian literature, and one of the most famous national writers of the past, Eduard Vilde. The Kumu Art Museum is very close by. Its expositions open up a large period of time (XVIII - XXII centuries) of the history and development of Estonian art.
Seeing the palace, museums and a large park can be a little tiring. For relaxation, you can choose benches in the rose garden or by the Swan Pond. And you can visit a cozy local cafe or restaurant, there are several of them, and then go along the alley leading to the sea.
It doesn't matter which month you choose to travel to Tallinn, the beauty of this old park does not depend on the season. Each season has its own charm. In the evening, the park is beautifully illuminated and seems like one of the old fairy tales or paintings by a talented painter.

I really like to visit the Kadriorg park in Tallinn. It is beautiful in all seasons of the year. In summer, there is a riot of greenery, the play of fountains, a pond where black and white swans gracefully swim, which tourists and locals love to feed.

The flowerbeds are real living pictures, skillfully and carefully created by park workers. Palaces, museums, children's playgrounds, Singing field. All this will share your summer mood!

In autumn you will find yourself at a real leaf fall ball. Expanse for children - you can knock down prickly hedgehogs of chestnuts with sticks (they won’t scold), make wreaths of leaves.

In winter, it's just nice to wander along the sleepy alleys covered with snow, feed the birds and squirrels, which are completely tame here and trustingly can take food directly from your palm.

In the spring, you are happy to watch the awakening of nature, breathe in the fresh park air, and the heart also comes to life and thaws.

Interesting fact: It can be said that Estonian spa culture was born in Kadriorg. And the first such salon was founded on the coast in 1813 by a certain adviser Witte.

How to get there

It is necessary to move from Viru Keskus bypassing Tallinn University along the Narva highway. With a brisk step get there in 25 minutes.

History

The very name “Kadriorg” sends us back to the time of Peter the Great, because it was in honor of the beloved wife of the Great Catherine that the park got its name. True, at first it was pronounced as Yekaterinenthal, but after that it turned into a modern name that is understandable to Estonian ears. “Kadriorg” means “the valley of Kadri”, and Kadri, as you guessed it, is the Estonian analogue of the name of ancient Greek origin, beloved in Russia, Ekaterina.

The park is located on 300 hectares. After the capitulation of Tallinn (then - Revel) and the annexation of Estonia to Russia during the events of the Northern War of 1700-1721. Peter the Great and his wife first arrived in Revel in 1711.

In Reval, they really liked the place near Lasnamyagi (Bald Mountain), where noble Revelers had their summer estates. So Peter I bought one of the plots into the state ownership of Russia in 1714. In the house located there, our king arranged his residence (today - a museum: house I). Compared to Petersburg scale, it was very modest.

In the garden adjacent to Peter's house, "unprecedented trees" from Holland grew - chestnuts. According to the plan, it was decided to create in this unique natural place palace and park ensemble, as in the capital Peterhof. The case was entrusted to the Roman architect Niccolo Michetti with his assistant Gaetano Chiaveri, as well as their "colleague" - Petersburger Mikhail Zemtsov.

It is believed that Peter the Great himself laid 3 bricks in the wall of the palace, which was finally built in 1727. They are located in the corner pilaster of the northern wing. At the same time, park ponds were created.

Today we can see a part of the beauty conceived by Peter in the 18th century. Unfortunately, his ideas were never put into practice until the end. By the way, the king himself, the founder of this Tallinn pearl, ordered that the park be made public, that is, with his light hand, Kadriorg became public property.

Initial layout

The three-level natural landscape of the area itself eloquently suggested how to arrange the location of park areas. In front of the palace, majestically spreading 2 wings on a ledge like a giant stage, the Lower Garden was supposed to be, behind the palace - a flower garden with a fountain Mirage wall. And above - Mirage lake with the upper garden.

The lower garden, which had the shape of a cross at its base, was divided by alleys. In its oak forest, even today there are centuries-old oaks that are older than the palace. Arched bridges were thrown over the canals. In front of the palace, the space was decorated with flower beds. The upper garden was a courtyard.

Here and today they support the color scheme of flowers to match the pink walls of the palace. Peter also wanted to create a sculptural cascade of fountains, for which a canal was dug from Lake Yulimiste, which fed the ponds and canals of Kadriorg.

But after his death, the new royal court considered it worthy of attention only to bring what Peter had begun to the end. But even in this “unfinished” version, the Kadriorg ensemble appeared as a grandiose masterpiece in the Baroque style for little Tallinn.

Reconstructions of "Kadriorg"

At the end of the XIX century. The lower garden began to look more like dark thickets. In 1897, the oak grove was thinned out in accordance with the renovation project of Kadriorg. Sea views have become more open. In 1902, at the end of the Sea Alley near the sea, the Mermaid monument was erected (a story about it below). In 1934 the Swan Pond was changed. An elegant rotunda appeared on the island in the center (architect V. Seidra), in front of which everyone loves to be photographed today. On the site there is a decorative garden - Kivisilla with flower beds, on which, preserving traditions, flowers in the colors of the Estonian folk costume are planted even today. There is also a sundial.

To the south of the pond, the Youth Park appears with a swimming pool and sports grounds. In the part facing Lasnamäe, there is a concert venue of the Song Festival Grounds. On the lower terrace there is a Rose Garden with a fountain, the building of the Presidential Office (architect A. Kotli) is under construction, where the Presidential Palace is now located.

Part of the canals of the Lower Garden have been liquidated, but a pond has appeared, into which a brisk stream runs down from the rocky slopes of the Little Wolf Gorge - Väike Hundikuristik. In 1990, the Small Enterprise of Kadriorg takes on the transformation, rolling up its sleeves. Having gained independence, she again draws attention to the unique park that appeared in her capital, by the way, thanks to the Russian Tsar.

In 2000, Catherine's Palace was restored and the Flower Garden with fountains was restored.

In 2005, a bronze sculpture of Poseidon (sculptor M. Karmin) appeared in the cascading niche, and a rose garden with 5,500 rose bushes replaced the alpine hill.
In the summer, I highly recommend visiting this wonderful place. Aroma, beauty, tenderness!

In 2006, busts of Presidents K. Päts and the legendary L. Meri, whose name the Tallinn airport bears today, were installed in the niches of the wall of the Upper Garden.
In 2011, the rarest Japanese garden in Europe was opened in Kadriorg.
Park "Kadriorg" is free to visit all year round and around the clock!

Main Attractions

I really want you to love this wonderful place of rest just like me! Kadriorg should be given a whole day of your trip, because there are so many interesting things here!

Monuments

On the map you can see their location in Kadriorg.

• Monument "Mermaid" (Russalka malestussammas) - No. 1. This is the creation of the famous sculptor and painter, academician, one of the founders of Estonian national art Amandus Adamson. There is a monument by the sea at the exit from Kadriorg. Dedicated to 177 sailors of the Russian Imperial Fleet who died on the battleship Rusalka on September 7, 1893. Created mainly on donations from citizens. Newlyweds certainly come here, and school graduates meet the dawn. A beautiful tradition. Tourists like to take pictures on the site of the monument. Climb the steps of the stone stairs, opposite which is a bronze bas-relief depicting an armadillo fighting a storm. Read the names of 12 dead officers. On the pillars surrounded by the monument are the names of 165 other members of the Mermaid crew. Bronze details were made in St. Petersburg, lanterns - in Reval, granite was brought from Finland.

• Bjust the author of "Mermaid" Amandus Adamson, installed in 1962 (sculptor Albert Eskel, architect Allan Murdmaa) - No. 2.
• Monument Estonian teacher, doctor, writer Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, opened in 1958 (Sculptors: Endel Taniloo and Martin Sachs) - No. 3.

I think you will be interested to know that the main work of this unique writer is the Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg, based on folk tales. And we see the images of Kalev and his wife Linda on the wrappers of the most popular Kalev chocolates.

• Monument to politician and activist Jaan Poska, installed in Kadriorg in 2016 (architect Pille Noole, Üllar Ambos and Joannis Likuras, sculptor Elo Liiv) - No. 4.

• Monument to Estonian sculptor Jaan Koort, installed in 1983 (authors: Edgar Vieyes and Andres Mänd). The works of Koort himself are presented in the KUMU museum, located in Kadriorg (which I will also talk about) - No. 5.

• Monument to Gustav Ernesaks- Estonian songwriter, composer and conductor. (2004, work by E. Valli and V. Lillimets). A large 2.5 m sculpture is located on the Singing Field - No. 6.

One gets the feeling that the composer is sitting and looking at the song arena. On the base of the monument is an autograph of Ernesaks himself. Children and adult tourists really like to be photographed on his lap.

Museums

For convenience, I offer a map of the museums I describe.

Catherine Palace (№1)

Today one of the 5 branches of the Art Museum of Estonia is located here. Here are works of foreign art of the 16th - early 20th centuries: Western European and Russian painting, graphics, sculpture and applied art (more than 9,000 works). That is, it is the only museum entirely dedicated to masterpieces created outside of Estonia. Its branch is the Mikkel Museum.

The main goal of the Kadriorg Art Museum, so to speak, is “to bring the beautiful, created outside the country, to the masses”.

The conferences held here and the outgoing scientific publications serve for this purpose. Therefore, the network of friendly contacts at this museum is wide. It includes collegial relations with museums, restoration centers and scientific institutes in Europe and Russia, cooperation with the institutions of Estonia itself.

Classes for students and student practice are held here. It also has its own educational center - with the pompous name of the Palace School, where more than 1000 excursions and a lot of events for children are organized every year, dozens of youth programs are carried out, as well as lectures by the Saturday Academy for adults, guide courses are organized, even birthday celebrations are held.

The museum often hosts chamber concerts and receptions.

Opening hours and tickets

• October-April: Wed: 10:00-20:00; Thu-Sun.: 10:00–17:00
• May–September: Wed: 10:00–20:00; Tue, Thu–Sun. 10:00–17:00
• Tickets: adult 4.80 EUR, preferential - 2.80 EUR, family - 9.30 EUR.
• With TallinnCard - free of charge.
• General admission to KUMU, Kadriorg Art Museum and Mikkel Museum - 11 EUR (the most convenient option)

Mikkel Museum (#2)

Also - a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia. Located in a small house of the former kitchen Catherine Palace. All exhibits were donated in 1994 by collector Johannes Mikkel (1907–2006). This is the richest private collection in Estonia. Such is the “micro Tretyakov Gallery”. Here is a mass of works of art of different techniques of execution of the period of the 16th-20th centuries.

Mikkel himself considered himself a philosopher, and with his philosophy he preached, as a collector, that it is not necessary to look for art objects, since art itself has the gift to come where it is understood and loved.

Opening hours and tickets

• Opening hours: Wed: 10:00–20:00; Thu–Sun: 10:00–17:00;
• Adult ticket (since 2017) - 5 EUR, reduced ticket - 3.50 EUR, family ticket - 10 EUR

Museum KUMU (№3)

I, who had seen enough museums in different parts of the world, was pleasantly surprised by it. Here's something right away! Just plunged into his melody, and wanted to sing along! It will take at least 2 hours to visit the galleries of this one of the 5 branches of the Art Museum of Estonia (and by the right of scale - the main building, opened in 2006). Estonian art from the 18th century is represented here. to the present day.

I wrote about him in . The museum has a cafe, so you can drink coffee and even have lunch right between viewing exhibition displays. I especially draw your attention to the interactive exhibitions of young talented designers and artists that take place here. Taking part in their plans, you yourself seem to start playing some kind of game that has suddenly opened up for you. The museum is good for inspiration and relaxation.

Ticket prices from 2017: adult 8 EUR, reduced 6 EUR; family 16 EUR

Miiamilla Children's Museum (#4)

The branch of the Tallinn City Museum is located near the Swan Pond in a cozy house with a turret. Open since 2009 for children from 3 to 10 years old. Children under 7 years old will certainly be accompanied by adults, for whom everything here will be interesting. Mandatory condition - you need a change of shoes. Not captured, the choice is yours - either stomp in socks, or buy slippers at the checkout.

There is also a nice innovation in this museum: if you came with several children, and one of them is a little girl (and there is no one to leave at home with), then they will give you a lock for the stroller, with which you will fasten it from the outside and avoid “theft of this vehicle”!

Here, children ask questions, twist and turn everything, try it by eye and by mouth (probably). It's fun and interesting here! In addition, for you - a cozy cafe: pastries, juices, coffee, ice cream!

Opening hours and tickets

• You can come here Tue–Sun: 12:00–18:00 (ticket office closes at 17:30).
• Tickets: family (two adults and up to four children) - 6 EUR; preferential (children from 3 years old, schoolchildren, students, military personnel, pensioners) - 2 EUR; adult - 3 EUR. Babies under 2 years - free! Active Tallinn Card.
• We photograph everything, but only with the condition - without a flash!

House Museum of Peter the Great (№5)

Since 1941 - a branch of the Tallinn City Museum.

This is the same house-residence, the modesty of which I have already mentioned. Here the royal couple Peter and Catherine stopped from 1714.

Emperor Alexander I took care of the preservation of this house, who visited Revl () in 1804, seeing the state of this house, he demanded to restore the dilapidated "old palace" of Peter I. And, it should be noted that already in the 19th century this museum became popular both among Revelians and their guests. Today, educational lectures, events and excursions are also held here (including in Russian).

Opening hours and tickets

• Tickets: adult - 2 EUR; students - 1 EUR; with TallinnCard - free of charge.
• Open: (May–August) Tue–Sun: 10:00–18:00; (October–April) Wed–Sun: 10.00–17.00

Also worth seeing

These sights can be seen here:

Japanese garden

When I saw this garden for the first time, I was very happy that another wonderful decoration appeared in Kadriorg!

The garden has been open since 2011, created in the refined Japanese tradition by landscape artist, hereditary gardener Masao Sone, and occupies 6 hectares. Such parks exist only in London and Amsterdam. The Japanese do not encourage the spread of their garden school throughout Europe. But they treated Tallinn favorably.

The very formation of the Japanese garden takes a long time, for years, therefore, with each visit to I find something new in this corner. On weekdays, it is more deserted here, so meditation lovers have a chance to be in solitude. But in general this place is popular, and is becoming more and more visited.

At the exit you will see a boulder brought from Hiroshima. It commemorates the victims of the atomic bombing. Such a combination of blooming life, and, as I felt, a reminder of its fragility.

It is better to visit here in the summer, during the flowering of irises, rhododendrons and azaleas. Near the paths there are information tables telling Interesting Facts about this wonderful place.

singing field

In Estonian lauluvälja. Song festivals, concerts during the Beer Festival, various musical events are held here. Indoor arena - a unique stage under open sky built in 1959.

In 2004, a large statue of the famous Estonian composer and choir conductor Gustavs Ernesaks appeared here (see the Memorials section).

As for the Singing Field, once in my childhood I myself participated among thousands of people in this legendary song festival. There were certainly choirs in all schools in Tallinn, and we all prepared in advance for this apotheotic event for the world of culture. No wonder this holiday is on the lists cultural heritage UNESCO.

The atmosphere was amazing. The next holiday will be held in 2019. And in winter, children love to sled here from the snow-covered slopes, and head over heels too.

presidential residence

Opposite the Catherine Palace is another palace - the presidential one. It was built in 1938 in neoclassical style. The president living here is guarded by a guard of honor of two fellows in military uniform. It is interesting to watch the change of guards, and for this guard in general.

We somehow saw that one of the sentries - a young guy - suddenly returned to his post with 2 paper cups. Apparently, the lads decided to cheer up coffee. Yes, yes, he passed one cup to another, and right at the post they began to drink with pleasure! And then I imagined something that, in principle, it is impossible to imagine! Someone from any of our honor guards, or from the guys who guard the same Buckingham Palace. It's unthinkable! And here! Maybe that's what "freedom in Estonian" means! In general, these brave guys from the security are usually quite friendly. Once they even started joking with us when we took pictures at the palace, asking them to be immortalized on camera. Once I had to observe another curiosity: in front of this residence, one day, some strange-looking “tired traveler” was snoring calmly under an umbrella opened from the sun, and no one drove him away. Apparently, this is why this place is known as the "most homely" of the presidential residences of the Baltic countries.

Where to dine

Since it’s really quite possible to stay in Kadriorg for the whole day, it’s time to think about where weary travelers can eat!

• Good restaurant for lunch "Kadriorg" on A. Weizenbergi 18. Reviews about him are good. You can taste European cuisine with Estonian zest.

• Be sure to check out a cute cafe near the Lebidin Pond "Park Cafe" in the style of a Viennese patisserie. Stylized clothes of waitresses, engravings on the walls, an open summer terrace, excellent pastries, good coffee.
• The Kumu and Miiamilla museums also have decent cafes.
• In the park, often nice girls in national costumes from stalls stylized as carts sell fried almonds of various varieties and some other sweets, so you can also feast on them.

Finally

It is good to visit Kadriorg in any season. Here you will always get a lot of wonderful experiences. After all, even in rainy weather or in winter, you can visit museums and sit in cozy cafes. And let the natural splendor delight you with its fairy tales. What do I advise? Take an umbrella, a camera, wear comfortable shoes for hiking And don't forget to grab a good mood too!

Kadriorg Park (Tallinn, Estonia): detailed description, address and photo. Opportunities for sports and recreation, infrastructure, cafes and restaurants in the park. Reviews of tourists.

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One of the masterpieces of the Baroque era, the Kadriorg Palace and Park Ensemble was created by order of Peter I for his wife Catherine. The palace was designed by the architect Niccolo Michetti in the style of Italian villas. It has retained its original appearance to this day. Big hall, decorated with rich stucco and ceiling paintings, as well as a vestibule and some tiled stoves.

To this day, the large hall, decorated with rich stucco and ceiling paintings, as well as the vestibule and some tiled stoves, have retained their former appearance.

Since 1921, the building of the palace housed the collection of the Estonian Art Museum, and since 1929 it served as the residence of the head of the Estonian government.

The restoration workshops of the art museum are located in the palace guest house and the park pavilion. Opposite the main gate is a guard house, an ice cellar and a kitchen that houses the private collection of Johannes Mikkel. The park adjacent to the palace is characterized by the severity of lines and the simplicity of geometric shapes, and together it is a miniature Versailles!

Peter I independently (but not without the help of an architect called from Rome) planned and laid out the future park and palace building. The laying of the new palace and park ensemble was started on July 25, 1718 by order of Peter I. The project was made by the Italian Niccolò Michetti. The construction work was supervised by his assistant Gaetano Chiaveri. In 1720, at the insistence of Michetti, Mikhail Zemtsov was sent to Revel, who led the construction of the ensemble for four years according to the projects and instructions of Michetti. From the spring of 1721 until the end of construction, Zemtsov alone supervised all the work.
Already in the autumn of 1719, the side pavilions (wings) were covered with tiles, and by the spring of 1721, the interior decoration was completed. Shortly after that, Peter I and Catherine lived here for some time. The walls of the main building began to be erected in 1720, and the very next year it was roofed. The façade capitals of hewn stone, consoles and other details of stone decorations were made by the Riga sculptor Heinrich von Bergen. In July 1724, during the last visit of Peter I to Revel, most of the interior of the main building was still in the scaffolding, the main work was mostly completed by 1727.
According to legend, during the construction of the building, Peter I personally laid three bricks into its wall. Later, when the outer surface of the walls began to be covered with plaster, the builders left the “royal” bricks unplastered. These three bricks, in the corner pilaster of the north wing of the palace, remain unplastered to this day.

Unfortunately, neither Peter the Great nor Catherine saw Kadriorg complete. Therefore, all the ideas of Peter on the arrangement of the park (fountains-crackers, park sculptures and other things) did not materialize. Nevertheless, all Russian emperors and empresses stayed in the palace during their visits to Tallinn.
In 1921-1929 and 1946-1991 the palace was the main building of the Estonian Art Museum. From 1929 to 1940, the residence of the state elder (since 1938 - the president) of Estonia was located in the palace. Today the Presidential Palace is a separate building next to the palace, just behind the regular garden. Currently, the Kadriorg Palace houses a branch of the Estonian Art Museum - the Kadriorg Art Museum with the largest collection of foreign art in Estonia.
Initially, it had an area of ​​about 100 hectares. The park is planned to be restored in the style of the 18th century, including trimmed trees. So far, the palace garden has been restored in this style.

It is located in the park, on the border - a modern building. Very close, across the road, in the former royal kitchen is located with a collection of Western European art.
Here, under the slope of Lasnamägi, where the modern Lydia Koidula Street ends, around 1780, the architect Johann Moor built a one-story house with a tower. At the end of the 18th century, the local merchant Christian Frese founded the first cotton manufactory in the city in this house. At the beginning of the 19th century, an engineering team of the Russian Naval Department, engaged in the construction of ports in the Baltic, settled in the house. In 1827, the tower was liquidated and the second floor was built on. On May 7, 1863, by decree of Emperor Alexander II, a boarding house for impoverished noblewomen was created in Reval, to whom this house was transferred. Currently, this building is occupied by the Russian Museum of Estonia.
Ponds in the park were dug immediately upon laying both to revitalize the landscape and to drain the soil. The oldest of them were the pond in the yard of the Marininskiy shelter, the pond to the north of the current Kadri road, the Upper pond between the palace and Peter's house and the Lower, or Swan, pond in the western part of the park. The upper pond, as well as the fountains and cascades that were then in the park, received water mainly from Lake Ülemiste. In the middle of the pond was an island lined with limestone. The lower pond received water from the springs that gushed at the foot of Lasnamägi. Spring water was diverted to the pond through an underground drain. Subsequently, trees were planted on the island of the Lower Pond and a pavilion was built. Not far from the outbuildings of the palace, near the alley of Rong, another pond was dug.
In 1880, the third General Song Festival was held in Yekaterinental. In 1934 the first Estonian Games took place, which started the tradition of dance festivals.
Around the Kadriorg park, a historical district of the same name has developed with unique wooden houses and estates that belonged to politicians, as well as famous artists, writers and others. creative people. Among them are two museums of prominent Estonian writers

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Kadriorg park

The famous Kadriorg Park is perhaps one of the main attractions. Numerous tourists come to the capital in order to look into this stunning beauty and its park complex, admire its Swan Pond, stroll through the Upper Garden with a magnificent flower garden and fountains, and see the famous Tallinn.

Around the park, which has become one of the most favorite places of the Tallinners themselves, there is a historical district bearing the same name. The famous writer Eduard Vilde once lived in one of its unique wooden houses.

Kadriorg - the beautiful valley of Catherine

At the beginning of the 18th century, the Russian Tsar Peter I decided to build a summer residence near the sea for his wife Catherine. Construction, led by the Italian architect Niccolo Michetti, began in 1718 and ended only 10 years later. They say that Peter the Great himself laid the first stone in the building of the palace. He also participated in the planning of the future park.

True, neither the emperor himself nor his wife Catherine saw the park complete. Therefore, many of Peter's ideas remained unfulfilled. But, nevertheless, all the royal people stayed here during their visits to.

Palace garden in the style of the 18th century

The most beautiful park Kadriorg consists of two gardens - the Upper, built in the same style as Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof, and the Lower. Natural park landscape - numerous meadows with stunningly beautiful flower beds, well-groomed alleys and gardens. Among visitors, the most popular place is the Swan Pond with a gazebo on the water and black swans. The sundial installed nearby is also of interest.

In the backyard of the palace and park complex there is a beautiful Flower Garden. Next to it is the residence of the current President of Estonia.

From royal palace a footpath has been laid to the sea, which leads to one of the most beautiful Tallinn park sculptures - the famous 16-meter one.