TOOME HILL

This is where the history of the city began, and it also represents the national revival in the 19th century. On the hill are the observatory, the museum of the history of the university and the ruins of the gothic cathedral that the Porte-Glaive knights built in the 13th century. The observatory, this yellow building overhanging the hill, was built in 1810 and was considered at the time as the most powerful telescope in the world.

Bridge of the Angels: located on the hill, this wide yellow and white bridge of classical style was built in 1838. It is dedicated to the first director of the university G.F. Parrot. The name comes from the fact that this part of the hill offers a landscape like an English garden. And the words inglise ("English") and ingel ("angel") are close in Estonian. The tradition is that when you cross the bridge you should hold your breath and make a wish.

Devil's Bridge: visible from the Angel's Bridge, this bridge is more recent, built in 1913. Its name also comes from a play on words, it was indeed built under the direction of Professor Mannteuffel whose German name translated gives "devil man".

Cathedral Ruins: You can't miss this imposing red brick building, the former cathedral which dates back to the 13th century when Tartu was a bishopric. The building was badly damaged during the Livonian War and burned down in 1624. In 1804, part of the building was rebuilt to house the university's bookstore. It is possible, from August to November, to climb to the top of the tower.