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Tartu is the second largest city in
Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...
after the
Northern Northern may refer to the following: Geography * North, a point in direction * Northern Europe, the northern part or region of Europe * Northern Highland, a region of Wisconsin, United States * Northern Province, Sri Lanka * Northern Range, a ra ...
European European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...
country's political and financial capital,
Tallinn Tallinn () is the most populous and capital city of Estonia. Situated on a bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn has a population of 437,811 (as of 2022) and administratively lies in the Harju ' ...
. Tartu has a population of 91,407 (as of 2021). It is southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of
Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Ba ...
,
Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...
. Tartu lies on the
Emajõgi Emajõgi (; meaning ''"Mother River"'') is a river in Estonia which flows from Lake Võrtsjärv through Tartu County into Lake Peipsi, crossing the city of Tartu for 10 km. It has a length of 100 km. The Emajõgi is sometimes called t ...
river, which connects the two largest lakes in Estonia,
Lake Võrtsjärv A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much larger ...
and
Lake Peipus Lake Peipus ( et, Peipsi-Pihkva järv; russian: Чудско-Псковское озеро, Псковско-Чудское озеро, Chudsko-Pskovskoye ozero, Pskovsko-Chudskoye ozero); is the largest trans-boundary lake in Europe, lying on ...
. From the 13th century until the end of the 19th century, Tartu was known in most of the world by variants of its historical name Dorpat. Tartu, the largest urban centre of southern Estonia, is often considered the "intellectual capital city" of the country, especially as it is home to the nation's oldest and most renowned university, the
University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; et, Tartu Ülikool; la, Universitas Tartuensis) is a university in the city of Tartu in Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is the only classical university in the country, and also its biggest ...
(founded in 1632). Tartu also houses the
Supreme Court of Estonia The Supreme Court of Estonia ( et, Riigikohus) is the court of last resort in Estonia. It is both a court of cassation and a constitutional court. The courthouse is in Tartu. History During the first independence period (1919-1940) With the F ...
, the Ministry of Education and Research, the
Estonian National Museum The Estonian National Museum ( et, Eesti Rahva Muuseum) founded 1909 in Tartu is a museum devoted to folklorist Jakob Hurt's heritage, to Estonian ethnography and folk art. The first items for the museum were originally collected in the latter ...
, and the oldest Estonian-language theatre,
Vanemuine Vanemuine () is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It was the first Estonian language theatre. History ''1870–1906 The Beginning of the Beginning. Koidula’s Theatre, Wiera’s Theatre.'' On June 24, 1870 was the first day in Estonian theatre ...
. It is also the birthplace of the
Estonian Song Festival The Estonian Song Festival (in Estonian: ''laulupidu'', ) is one of the largest choral events in the world, a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is held every five years in July on the Tallinn Song Festival Gro ...
s. Tartu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2024.


Names and etymology

Since Estonia became an independent country in 1918, the Estonian-language ''Tartu'' (), alternative
South Estonian South Estonian, spoken in south-eastern Estonia, encompasses the Tartu, Mulgi, Võro and Seto varieties. There is no academic consensus on its status, as some linguists consider South Estonian a dialect group of Estonian whereas other linguist ...
spelling: ''Tarto'') has been the only name in official use but throughout its history there have also been various names for it in other languages. Most of them derive ultimately from the earliest attested form, the Estonian ''Tarbatu''. In German,
Swedish Swedish or ' may refer to: Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically: * Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland ** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...
and
Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken *Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin screenwr ...
the town has been known, and up until the 20th century was sometimes referred to, as , a variant of ''Tarbatu''. In Russian the city has been known as (''Yur′yev'', after
Yuri Yuri may refer to: People and fictional characters Given name *Yuri (Slavic name), the Slavic masculine form of the given name George, including a list of people with the given name Yuri, Yury, etc. *Yuri (Japanese name), also Yūri, feminine Jap ...
, the
baptismal name A Christian name, sometimes referred to as a baptismal name, is a religious personal name given on the occasion of a Christian baptism, though now most often assigned by parents at birth. In English-speaking cultures, a person's Christian name ...
of grand prince
Yaroslav I the Wise Yaroslav the Wise or Yaroslav I Vladimirovich; russian: Ярослав Мудрый, ; uk, Ярослав Мудрий; non, Jarizleifr Valdamarsson; la, Iaroslaus Sapiens () was the Grand Prince of Kiev from 1019 until his death. He was als ...
) and as (''Derpt'', from the
Low German : : : : : (70,000) (30,000) (8,000) , familycolor = Indo-European , fam2 = Germanic , fam3 = West Germanic , fam4 = North Sea Germanic , ancestor = Old Saxon , ancestor2 = Middle L ...
variant of ''Dorpat''). Similarly the city has been known as ''Tērbata'' in Latvian, and
Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Finland * Finnish language, the national language of the Finnish people * Finnish cuisine See also ...
speakers use the toponym ''Tartto''. Tartu lies on the Emajõgi river whose name ''ema jõgi'' translates to modern Estonian as ‘mother river’.


History


Beginnings

Archaeological evidence of the first permanent settlement on the site of modern Tartu dates to as early as the 5th century AD. By the 7th century, local inhabitants had built a wooden fortification on the east side of
Toome Hill Toome or Toomebridge () is a small village and townland on the northwest corner of Lough Neagh in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies in the civil parish of Duneane in the former barony of Toome Upper, and is in the Antrim and Newtownab ...
(''Toomemägi''). Over the next centuries the settlement grew, and around 9th–10th centuries became an inland trading center. The first documented records of the area were made by later mediaeval chroniclers who described the events of the early 11th century
Kievan Rus Kievan Rusʹ, also known as Kyivan Rusʹ ( orv, , Rusĭ, or , , ; Old Norse: ''Garðaríki''), was a state in Eastern and Northern Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th century.John Channon & Robert Hudson, ''Penguin Historical Atlas of ...
.
Yaroslav I the Wise Yaroslav the Wise or Yaroslav I Vladimirovich; russian: Ярослав Мудрый, ; uk, Ярослав Мудрий; non, Jarizleifr Valdamarsson; la, Iaroslaus Sapiens () was the Grand Prince of Kiev from 1019 until his death. He was als ...
,
Grand Prince of Kiev The Grand Prince of Kiev (sometimes grand duke) was the title of the ruler of Kiev and the ruler of Kievan Rus' from the 10th to 13th centuries. In the 13th century, Kiev became an appanage principality first of the grand prince of Vladimir and ...
, invaded the region of Tartu in ca 1030, and after a victorious battle with the local tribe of
Ungannians Ugaunians or Ugannians ( et, ugalased) ( lv, ugauņi), referred to as Chudes by the earliest Russian chronicles were historical Finnic people inhabiting the ancient southern Estonian Ugandi County (Latin: Ungannia) (also Ugania, Ugaunia) that is ...
built his own fort there, and named it ''Yuryev''. Tartu may have remained under Kievan Rus' control until 1061, when, according to chronicles, the ''Yuryev'' fort was burned down by ''Sosols'' (probably
Oeselians Oeselians ( la, Oesel, , sv, Ösel, da, Øsel, fi, Saarenmaa) is a term historically applied before the Northern Crusades up to the 13th century to people who were living on the island of Saaremaa or Oesel as it was known back then, an island ...
, Sackalians, or another Estonian tribe). Soon afterwards the fort was rebuilt. In the 12th century, local Ungannians on one side and troops from the neighbouring
Novgorod Republic The Novgorod Republic was a medieval state that existed from the 12th to 15th centuries, stretching from the Gulf of Finland in the west to the northern Ural Mountains in the east, including the city of Novgorod and the Lake Ladoga regions of m ...
on the other side repeatedly raided each other. In those campaigns, the invaders were reportedly able to capture Tartu in 1133 or 1134, and in the winter of 1191–1192, however these temporary captures are not known to have brought any lasting territorial changes.


Medieval bishopric

During the period of
Northern Crusades The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were Christianity and colonialism, Christian colonization and Christianization campaigns undertaken by Catholic Church, Catholic Christian Military order (society), military orders and kingdoms, primarily ...
in the beginning of the 13th century the fort of ''Tarbatu'' (or ''Tharbata'', Tartu) was captured by the crusading
Teutonic knights The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic Order, is a Catholic religious institution founded as a military society in Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was formed to aid Christians on ...
— also known as the
Brothers of the Sword The Livonian Brothers of the Sword ( la, Fratres militiæ Christi Livoniae, german: Schwertbrüderorden) was a Catholic Church, Catholic Military order (monastic society), military order established in 1202 during the Livonian Crusade by Albert of ...
— and recaptured by Estonians on several occasions. In 1224, after the princes of
Novgorod Veliky Novgorod ( rus, links=no, Великий Новгород, t=Great Newtown, p=vʲɪˈlʲikʲɪj ˈnovɡərət), also known as just Novgorod (), is the largest city and administrative centre of Novgorod Oblast, Russia. It is one of the ol ...
and
Pskov Pskov ( rus, Псков, a=pskov-ru.ogg, p=pskof; see also names in other languages) is a city in northwestern Russia and the administrative center of Pskov Oblast, located about east of the Estonian border, on the Velikaya River. Population ...
had sent additional troops led by prince
Vyachko Vyachko of Koknese, also ''Vetseke of Kokenhusen'' ( la, Rex Vesceka de Kukenois, lv, Vetseke, russian: Вячко) was the ruler of the Principality of Koknese in present-day Latvia, a vassal of Polotsk, who unsuccessfully tried to establish hi ...
of Kukenois to aid the Estonian defenders of the fort, it was besieged and conquered for one last time by the Teutonic crusaders. Subsequently, known as Dorpat (Latin: ''Tarbatum''), Tartu became a commercial centre of considerable importance during the later
Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
and the capital of the semi-independent
Bishopric of Dorpat The Bishopric of Dorpat ( et, Tartu piiskopkond; nds, Bisdom Dorpat; la, Ecclesia Tarbatensis) was a medieval prince-bishopric, i.e. both a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church and a temporal principality ruled by the bishop of the diocese. It ...
. In 1262 the army of prince
Dmitri of Pereslavl Dmitri (russian: Дми́трий); Church Slavic form: Dimitry or Dimitri (); ancient Russian forms: D'mitriy or Dmitr ( or ) is a male given name common in Orthodox Christian culture, the Russian version of Greek Demetrios (Δημήτριο ...
launched an assault on Dorpat, capturing and destroying the town. His troops did not manage to capture the bishop's fortress on Toome Hill. The event was recorded both in subsequent German and
Old East Slavic Old East Slavic (traditionally also Old Russian; be, старажытнаруская мова; russian: древнерусский язык; uk, давньоруська мова) was a language used during the 9th–15th centuries by East ...
chronicles, which also provided the first record of a settlement of German merchants and artisans which had arisen alongside the bishop's fortress. In medieval times, after the Livonian Order was subsumed into the
Teutonic Knights The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic Order, is a Catholic religious institution founded as a military society in Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was formed to aid Christians on ...
in 1236, the town became an important trading city. In the 1280s Dorpat joined the
Hanseatic League The Hanseatic League (; gml, Hanse, , ; german: label=Modern German, Deutsche Hanse) was a medieval commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Central and Northern Europe. Growing from a few North German to ...
.


Polish-Lithuanian and Swedish rule

In 1558, tsar
Ivan the Terrible Ivan IV Vasilyevich (russian: Ива́н Васи́льевич; 25 August 1530 – ), commonly known in English as Ivan the Terrible, was the grand prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and the first Tsar of all Russia from 1547 to 1584. Ivan ...
invaded Tartu beginning the
Livonian War The Livonian War (1558–1583) was the Russian invasion of Old Livonia, and the prolonged series of military conflicts that followed, in which Tsar Ivan the Terrible of Russia (Muscovy) unsuccessfully fought for control of the region (pre ...
. Forces under the command of Pyotr Shuiski encircled the town and began the heavy bombardment. In light of this and without any prospect of external help the town surrendered. The local bishop was imprisoned in Moscow, which effectively ended the period of local self-government. In the effect of the
Truce of Jam Zapolski The Truce or Treaty of Yam-Zapolsky (Ям-Запольский) or Jam Zapolski, signed on 15 January 1582 between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Tsardom of Russia, was one of the treaties that ended the Livonian War. It followed t ...
of 1582, the city along with southern regions of
Livonian Confederation Terra Mariana (Medieval Latin for "Land of Mary") was the official name for Medieval Livonia or Old Livonia ( nds, Oolt-Livland, liv, Jemā-Līvõmō, et, Vana-Liivimaa, lv, Livonija). It was formed in the aftermath of the Livonian Crusade, a ...
became part of the
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, formally known as the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and, after 1791, as the Commonwealth of Poland, was a bi-confederal state, sometimes called a federation, of Crown of the Kingdom of ...
. In 1598 it became the capital of the
Dorpat Voivodeship The Dorpat Voivodeship ( pl, Województwo dorpackie or ''województwo derpskie'') was a unit of administrative division and local government in the Duchy of Livonia, part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1598 until the Swedish conque ...
of the
Duchy of Livonia The Duchy of Livonia ( or ; lt, Livonijos kunigaikštystė; la, Ducatus Ultradunensis; et, Liivimaa hertsogkond; lv, Pārdaugavas hercogiste; german: Herzogtum Livland), also referred to as Polish Livonia or Livonia ( pl, link=no, Inflanty) ...
. A
Jesuit , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...
grammar school A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching Latin, but more recently an academically oriented secondary school ...
"Gymnasium Dorpatense" was established in 1583. In addition, a translators' seminary was organized in Tartu and the city received its red and white flag from the Polish king
Stephen Báthory Stephen Báthory ( hu, Báthory István; pl, Stefan Batory; ; 27 September 1533 – 12 December 1586) was Voivode of Transylvania (1571–1576), Prince of Transylvania (1576–1586), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1576–1586) ...
. The activities of both the grammar school and the seminary were stopped by the Polish–Swedish War. Already in late 1600 the forces of
Charles IX of Sweden Charles IX, also Carl ( sv, Karl IX; 4 October 1550 – 30 October 1611), reigned as King of Sweden from 1604 until his death. He was the youngest son of King Gustav I () and of his second wife, Margaret Leijonhufvud, the brother of King Eric X ...
besieged the city defended by three
banners A banner can be a flag or another piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or another message. A flag whose design is the same as the shield in a coat of arms (but usually in a square or rectangular shape) is called a banner of arms. Also, ...
of
reiter ''Reiter'' or ''Schwarze Reiter'' ("black riders", anglicized ''swart reiters'') were a type of cavalry in 16th to 17th century Central Europe including Holy Roman Empire, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Tsardom of Russia, and others. ...
s and the city's burghers. Despite repeated assaults, the Swedes could not enter the city. Finally in 1601 Capt. Hermann Wrangel switched sides, assaulted the
castellan A castellan is the title used in Medieval Europe for an appointed official, a governor of a castle and its surrounding territory referred to as the castellany. The title of ''governor'' is retained in the English prison system, as a remnant o ...
and opened the gates for the Swedish forces. The town was retaken by Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth on 13 April 1603 following a brief siege led by
hetman ( uk, гетьман, translit=het'man) is a political title from Central and Eastern Europe, historically assigned to military commanders. Used by the Czechs in Bohemia since the 15th century. It was the title of the second-highest military co ...
Jan Karol Chodkiewicz Jan Karol Chodkiewicz ( lt, Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius, be, Ян Караль Хадкевіч ; 1561 – 24 September 1621) was a military commander of the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army, who was from 1601 Field Hetman of Lithuania, and from ...
; roughly 1000 Swedish soldiers surrendered and were escorted to
Tallinn Tallinn () is the most populous and capital city of Estonia. Situated on a bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn has a population of 437,811 (as of 2022) and administratively lies in the Harju ' ...
. In the effect of yet another Polish-Swedish War, in 1625 Tartu was once again captured by Sweden, this time for good. In the effect of the 1629
Truce of Altmark __NOTOC__ The six-year Truce of Altmark (or Treaty of Stary Targ, pl, Rozejm w Altmarku, sv, Stillståndet i Altmark) was signed on 16 (O.S.)/26 (N.S.) September 1629 in the village of Altmark (Stary Targ), in Poland, by the Polish–Lithuani ...
the city became part of the
Dominions of Sweden The Dominions of Sweden or ''Svenska besittningar'' ("Swedish possessions") were territories that historically came under control of the Swedish The Crown, Crown, but never became fully integrated with Sweden. This generally meant that they were ...
, which led to the foundation of the
University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; et, Tartu Ülikool; la, Universitas Tartuensis) is a university in the city of Tartu in Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is the only classical university in the country, and also its biggest ...
in 1632 by king
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden Gustavus Adolphus (9 December Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates">N.S_19_December.html" ;"title="Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Old Style and New Style dates">N.S 19 December">Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/now ...
.


Imperial Russia

In 1704 the town was taken by the Russian army in the presence of tsar Peter the Great himself. As a result, around a quarter of the town and much of the fortifications were damaged. In 1708 the remainder of the fortifications and houses, including the remains of bishops castle, were blown up, all movable property was looted and all citizens deported to Russia. With the
Treaty of Nystad The Treaty of Nystad (russian: Ништадтский мир; fi, Uudenkaupungin rauha; sv, Freden i Nystad; et, Uusikaupunki rahu) was the last peace treaty of the Great Northern War of 1700–1721. It was concluded between the Tsardom of ...
in 1721, the city became part of the
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
and was known as ''Derpt''. Fires in the 18th century destroyed much of the medieval architecture, the Great Fire of Tartu in 1775 removed most of the buildings in the centre. The city was rebuilt along Late Baroque and Neoclassical lines including the
Tartu Town Hall Tartu Town Hall ( et, Tartu raekoda) is the seat of the city government of Tartu, Estonia. It is located on Town hall square, in the city centre. History and architecture The history of the town hall pre-dates the current town hall, as the pre ...
which was built between 1782 and 1789. In 1783 the city became the centre of Derpt
uyezd An uezd (also spelled uyezd; rus, уе́зд, p=ʊˈjest), or povit in a Ukrainian context ( uk, повіт), or Kreis in Baltic-German context, was a type of administrative subdivision of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the Russian Empire, and the ea ...
within the
Governorate of Livonia The Governorate of Livonia, also known as the Livonia Governorate, was a Baltic governorate of the Russian Empire, now divided between Latvia and Estonia. Geography The shape of the province is a fairly rectangular in shape, with a maximum ...
. During the second half of the 19th century, Tartu was the cultural centre for Estonians in the era of
Romantic nationalism Romantic nationalism (also national romanticism, organic nationalism, identity nationalism) is the form of nationalism in which the state claims its political legitimacy as an organic consequence of the unity of those it governs. This includes ...
. The city hosted Estonia's first song festival in 1869. ''
Vanemuine Vanemuine () is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It was the first Estonian language theatre. History ''1870–1906 The Beginning of the Beginning. Koidula’s Theatre, Wiera’s Theatre.'' On June 24, 1870 was the first day in Estonian theatre ...
'', the first national theatre, was established in 1870. Tartu was also the setting for the foundation of the Society of Estonian Writers in 1872.
Tartu railway station Tartu railway station ( et, Tartu raudteejaam) is the main railway station in Tartu, Estonia. Tartu railway station is situated west of the centre Tartu. It was established in 1876 when Tapa–Tartu route was built. The station building was ope ...
was opened in 1876 when
Tapa Tapa, TAPA, Tapas or Tapasya may refer to: Media *Tapas (website), a webtoon site, formerly known as Tapastic * ''Tapas'' (film), a 2005 Spanish film * ''Tapasya'' (1976 film), an Indian Hindi-language film * ''Tapasya'' (1992 film), a Nepalese f ...
–Tartu route was built. The station building was opened in 1877. In the
history of tuberculosis Throughout history, the disease tuberculosis has been variously known as consumption, phthisis, and the White Plague. It is generally accepted that the causative agent, ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' originated from other, more primitive organi ...
, in 1891 The Veterinary College at Dorpat produced seminal research using the Tuberculin test on 1,000 cattle. In 1893, the city was officially retitled to the ancient Russian name ''Yuryev''. The university was subsequently
russified Russification (russian: русификация, rusifikatsiya), or Russianization, is a form of cultural assimilation in which non-Russians, whether involuntarily or voluntarily, give up their culture and language in favor of the Russian cultur ...
from 1895 on with the introduction of compulsory Russian in teaching. Much of the university property was relocated to
Voronezh Voronezh ( rus, links=no, Воро́неж, p=vɐˈronʲɪʂ}) is a city and the administrative centre of Voronezh Oblast in southwestern Russia straddling the Voronezh River, located from where it flows into the Don River. The city sits on the ...
in 1918 and during the German occupation, the University worked under the name Landesuniversität Dorpat. During the
Estonian War of Independence The Estonian War of Independence ( et, Vabadussõda, literally "Freedom War"), also known as the Estonian Liberation War, was a defensive campaign of the Estonian Army and its allies, most notably the United Kingdom, against the Bolshevik westwa ...
the university of Tartu was re-opened as an Estonian language university on 1 December 1919.


Independent Estonia (1918–1940)

With Estonian independence after World War I, the city officially became known by the Estonian name ''Tartu''. At the end of the 1918–1920
Estonian War of Independence The Estonian War of Independence ( et, Vabadussõda, literally "Freedom War"), also known as the Estonian Liberation War, was a defensive campaign of the Estonian Army and its allies, most notably the United Kingdom, against the Bolshevik westwa ...
following World War I, a peace treaty between the
Bolshevik The Bolsheviks (russian: Большевики́, from большинство́ ''bol'shinstvó'', 'majority'),; derived from ''bol'shinstvó'' (большинство́), "majority", literally meaning "one of the majority". also known in English ...
Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
and Estonia was signed on 2 February 1920 in Tartu ( Treaty of Tartu). With the treaty,
Soviet Russia The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Russian SFSR or RSFSR ( rus, Российская Советская Федеративная Социалистическая Республика, Rossíyskaya Sovétskaya Federatívnaya Soci ...
renounced territorial claims to Estonia "for all time". In 1920, the peace treaty between Soviet Russia and Finland was also signed in Tartu. During the interwar period
Tähtvere Tähtvere is a neighbourhood of Tartu, Estonia. It has a population of 2,989 (as of 31 December 2013) and an area of . Gallery File:Tähtvere mõisahoone.jpg, Tähtvere Manor See also *Estonian University of Life Sciences *Tartu Song Festiv ...
neighbourhood was built, former
Raadi Manor Raadi Manor (german: link=no, Ratshof) was in the area known as Raadi-Kruusamäe, on the outskirts of Tartu in Estonia. The manor and Raadi Manor Park were the home to the Liphart noble family who were significant art collectors. The family ...
buildings started to house
Estonian National Museum The Estonian National Museum ( et, Eesti Rahva Muuseum) founded 1909 in Tartu is a museum devoted to folklorist Jakob Hurt's heritage, to Estonian ethnography and folk art. The first items for the museum were originally collected in the latter ...
(destroyed during Tartu Offensive in 1944) and art school
Pallas Pallas may refer to: Astronomy * 2 Pallas asteroid ** Pallas family, a group of asteroids that includes 2 Pallas * Pallas (crater), a crater on Earth's moon Mythology * Pallas (Giant), a son of Uranus and Gaia, killed and flayed by Athena * Pall ...
was opened.


German and Soviet occupations (1940–1991)

During World War II, the
Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili; – 5 March 1953) was a Georgian revolutionary and Soviet political leader who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. He held power as General Secretar ...
ist Soviet Union invaded and occupied Estonia and Tartu in June 1940. Large parts of the city as well as the historical ''Kivisild'' ("Stone bridge", built in 1776–1778) over the Emajõgi river were destroyed by the retreating Soviet Army, partly in 1941 and almost completely in 1944 by then retreating German Army. Already heavily damaged, Tartu was repeatedly bombed by the Soviet air forces on 27 January 1943, on 26 February 1944, on 7–8 March 1944, and on 25–26 March 1944. After the war ended, much of the city's historic centre was left in ruins. Even the less damaged buildings in entire city blocks were demolished by the Soviet occupation authorities and large swathes of previously residential areas were turned into parks and parking lots. After the war, the Soviet authorities declared Tartu a "closed town for foreigners", as an airbase for bombers was constructed on
Raadi Airfield Raadi Airfield (Tartu Air Base) is a former air base in Estonia located northeast of Tartu. The land once belonged to Raadi Manor and is now designated as the new site of the Estonian National Museum. History In 1940 were requisitioned fro ...
, in the northeast outskirts of the city. It was one of the largest military airbases in the former Eastern Bloc and housed strategic bombers carrying nuclear bombs. On one end of an older strip of the runway, the new building of
Estonian National Museum The Estonian National Museum ( et, Eesti Rahva Muuseum) founded 1909 in Tartu is a museum devoted to folklorist Jakob Hurt's heritage, to Estonian ethnography and folk art. The first items for the museum were originally collected in the latter ...
was built.
Tartu Airport Tartu Airport ( et, Tartu lennujaam) is an airport in Reola, Ülenurme Parish, south southwest of Tartu, the second largest city in Estonia. It is also called Ülenurme Airport due to its proximity to the village of Ülenurme. The Tallinn ...
was opened in the south of the city in 1946. Besides the airport
Estonian Aviation Academy Estonian Aviation Academy ( et, Eesti Lennuakadeemia) is a state-owned institution educating and training personnel for Estonian aviation enterprises and organizations. The academy is situated near the Tartu Airport in the village of Reola, 8&nb ...
was established in 1993. Privately owned
Estonian Aviation Museum The Estonian Aviation Museum is located in Lange near Tartu in Estonia. It is the only aviation museum in the country. The museum was founded in December 1999 in accordance with a private initiative procedure and officially opened to the public ...
, which is 5 km to the East from the airport (7 km by car), was opened to the public in 2002. During the 1944–1991 Soviet occupation the population of Tartu almost doubled from 57,000 to above 100,000 — due to mass immigration from Russia and other areas of the former Soviet Union, in large part because of the military airbase.


Modern era

Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991, the old town centre has been renovated. Notably,
St. John's Church St. John's Church, Church of St. John, or variants, thereof, (Saint John or St. John usually refers to John the Baptist, but also, sometimes, to John the Apostle or John the Evangelist) may refer to the following churches, former churches or other ...
, in ruins since World War II, has been restored. Many new commercial and business buildings have been erected (''Tartu Kaubamaja'', ''Tasku'', ''Emajõe kaubanduskeskus'', ''Lõunakeskus'', ''Kvartal'', etc.). The highest residential building and local landmark ''
Tigutorn Snail Tower ( et, Tigutorn) is an apartment building in Tartu, Estonia. The tower resembles a gastropod shell, hence the name "snail tower". The tower was designed by Vilen Künnapu and Ain Padrik Ain Padrik (born 27 April 1947) is an Estonian ...
'' was opened in 2008. The
AHHAA Science Centre AHHAA ( Estonian: ''Teaduskeskus AHHAA'') is a science centre located in Tartu, Estonia, and is currently the largest science centre in the Baltic states. AHHAA was established to promote science and technology using interacti ...
science centre relocated to a new building in 2011 and the
Estonian National Museum The Estonian National Museum ( et, Eesti Rahva Muuseum) founded 1909 in Tartu is a museum devoted to folklorist Jakob Hurt's heritage, to Estonian ethnography and folk art. The first items for the museum were originally collected in the latter ...
's new main building opened in 2016.


Geography


Climate

Tartu lies within the temperate
humid continental climate A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and freezing ...
zone (
Dfb DFB may refer to: * Deerfield Beach, Florida, a city * Decafluorobutane, a fluorocarbon gas * Dem Franchize Boyz, former hip hop group, Atlanta, Georgia * Dfb, Köppen climate classification for Humid continental climate * Distributed-feedback ...
). The climate is rather mild considering the high latitude, largely due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea and warm airflows from the Atlantic. Nevertheless, continental influence can be felt on hot summer days and cold spells in winter, when the temperature can occasionally (but rarely) drop below . Generally, summers are warm and winters are cold. The Tartu weather station is located in Tõravere village, which is about 20 kilometers from the city, so the actual temperature in the city may be slightly warmer than the official average temperatures.


Economy

Mostly known as a university town, Tartu is also a site of heavy industry. The food industry has traditionally been important for the town's economy and some bigger companies in the field include A. Le Coq,
Tartu Mill Tartu Mill AS (prior to 2010 ''Tartu Veski AS'') is a milling company in Estonia and the largest milling company in the Baltic States. The company marks its founding back to 1885, when the first big grain mill in Tartu was erected. Tartu Mill ...
and Salvest.
Kroonpress Kroonpress Ltd. is an Estonian printing company. Its headquarters are located in Tartu. Since 2009, the company owns the largest printing house in the Baltic states. Since 1998, Kroonpress belongs to the Postimees Group. The company was establish ...
is one of the leading printing press companies in the Baltics. At the beginning of the 21st century, many ICT enterprises and other high-tech companies have taken a foothold in Tartu. Notable examples include
Playtech Playtech plc is a gambling software development company founded in 1999. The company provides software for online casinos, online poker rooms, online bingo games, online sports betting, scratch games, mobile gaming, live dealer games and fixed-o ...
Estonia,
Nortal Nortal is a Multinational corporation, multinational Strategy, strategic Social change, change and technology company headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, with operations in the United States, US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Nortal provid ...
(formerly Webmedia Group),
ZeroTurnaround ZeroTurnaround was a Java development tools software company founded by Jevgeni Kabanov and Toomas Römer in 2007. It was acquired by Rogue Wave Software in 2017. In January 2019, Rogue Wave Software and the legacy ZeroTurnaround software product ...
, Tarkon, Reach-U and Raintree Estonia.
Skype Skype () is a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for VoIP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also has instant messaging, file transfer, deb ...
has an office in Tartu. The university is one of the largest employers, which explains the large proportion of highly skilled professionals – researchers, professors, doctors, and Tartu University Clinic has been considered the largest employer of Tartu.


Transport

The city is served by
Tartu Airport Tartu Airport ( et, Tartu lennujaam) is an airport in Reola, Ülenurme Parish, south southwest of Tartu, the second largest city in Estonia. It is also called Ülenurme Airport due to its proximity to the village of Ülenurme. The Tallinn ...
. The distance to Estonia's "summer holiday capital",
Pärnu Pärnu () is the fourth largest city in Estonia. Situated in southwest Estonia, Pärnu is located south of the Estonian capital, Tallinn, and west of Estonia's second largest city, Tartu. The city sits off the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet o ...
(in the western Estonia) is and the fastest route there by road is through
Viljandi Viljandi (, german: Fellin, sv, Fellin) is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 17,407 in 2019. It is the capital of Viljandi County and is geographically located between two major Estonian cities, Pärnu and Tartu ...
and
Kilingi-Nõmme Kilingi-Nõmme is a town in Pärnu County, southwestern Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Saarde Parish. It's located on the intersection of Valga– Uulu (Valga–Pärnu, nr 6) and Tartu–Viljandi–Kilingi-Nõmme (nr 92) roads, abou ...
. Tartu is connected to Riga, Tallinn, and other Estonian towns by many bus and train routes.


Population

Tartu's historic population is presented in the following table, based on data from official censuses since 1881 and Estonian Statistical Office. Note that the data up to 2011 is not directly comparable to the most recent numbers, as the methodology of compiling population statistics has changed.


Neighbourhoods

Tartu is officially divided into 17 neighbourhoods, which carry no administrative purposes. Their names and borders are defined. ) reminds visitors that the
University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; et, Tartu Ülikool; la, Universitas Tartuensis) is a university in the city of Tartu in Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is the only classical university in the country, and also its biggest ...
and its students have a profound effect on life in Tartu.


Education and culture

The city is best known for being home to the
University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; et, Tartu Ülikool; la, Universitas Tartuensis) is a university in the city of Tartu in Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is the only classical university in the country, and also its biggest ...
(formerly known as the University of Dorpat; german: Universität Dorpat), founded under King
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden Gustavus Adolphus (9 December Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates">N.S_19_December.html" ;"title="Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Old Style and New Style dates">N.S 19 December">Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/now ...
in 1632. Mainly for this reason, Tartu is also – tongue-in-cheek – known as "
Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...
of the Emajõgi" or as "
Heidelberg Heidelberg (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: ''Heidlberg'') is a city in the States of Germany, German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914 ...
of the North". Tartu is also the seat of the
Estonian University of Life Sciences The Estonian University of Life Sciences ( Estonian: ''Eesti Maaülikool'', EMÜ) located in Tartu, Estonia, is the former Estonian Agricultural University, which was established in 1951 and renamed and restructured in November 2005. Eesti Maa ...
, the
Baltic Defence College The Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) is a multinational military college, established by the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) in 1999. It serves as a centre of strategic and operational research and provides professional ...
,
Estonian Aviation Academy Estonian Aviation Academy ( et, Eesti Lennuakadeemia) is a state-owned institution educating and training personnel for Estonian aviation enterprises and organizations. The academy is situated near the Tartu Airport in the village of Reola, 8&nb ...
(formerly known as Tartu Aviation College), and the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research. Other notable institutions include the
Supreme Court of Estonia The Supreme Court of Estonia ( et, Riigikohus) is the court of last resort in Estonia. It is both a court of cassation and a constitutional court. The courthouse is in Tartu. History During the first independence period (1919-1940) With the F ...
(re-established in Tartu in autumn 1993), the
Estonian Historical Archives The National Archives of Estonia (NAE, et, Rahvusarhiiv) has been the centre of archival administration in Estonia since 1999. Organization NAE collects and preserves records documenting the history, culture, nationhood and social conditions ...
,
Estonian National Museum The Estonian National Museum ( et, Eesti Rahva Muuseum) founded 1909 in Tartu is a museum devoted to folklorist Jakob Hurt's heritage, to Estonian ethnography and folk art. The first items for the museum were originally collected in the latter ...
, Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum as well as the oldest and renowned theatre in the country,
Vanemuine Vanemuine () is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It was the first Estonian language theatre. History ''1870–1906 The Beginning of the Beginning. Koidula’s Theatre, Wiera’s Theatre.'' On June 24, 1870 was the first day in Estonian theatre ...
, where they have a well-respected ballet company as well as theatre, opera and musical productions. In music, there exists the Tartu school of composition. Most of the sculptures in Tartu are dedicated to historical figures. Among them the most famous are the Barclay de Tolly monument on the
Barclay Square Barclay Square ( et, Barclay plats) is a public square and park in the city of Tartu, Estonia, adjacent to the Ülikooli street. It is named after Russian Imperial officer Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly Prince Michael Andreas Barclay de ...
in downtown, the
Kissing Students Kissing Students ( et, Suudlevad tudengid) is sculpture and fountain in Raekoja plats, Tartu, Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gul ...
monument on the town hall square and
Gustav II Adolf Gustavus Adolphus (9 December ld Style and New Style dates, N.S 19 December15946 November ld Style and New Style dates, N.S 16 November1632), also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to ...
´s monument on the Kuningaplats.


Science

Tartu has been an intellectual centre of both Estonia and the Baltic countries for several centuries. Scholars hailing from Tartu include the pioneer of embryology
Karl Ernst von Baer Karl Ernst Ritter von Baer Edler von Huthorn ( – ) was a Baltic German scientist and explorer. Baer was a naturalist, biologist, geologist, meteorologist, geographer, and is considered a, or the, founding father of embryology. He was ...
, a pioneer of animal behaviour studies
Jakob von Uexküll Jakob may refer to: People * Jakob (given name), including a list of people with the name * Jakob (surname), including a list of people with the name Other * Jakob (band), a New Zealand band, and the title of their 1999 EP * Max Jakob Memorial Aw ...
, and a cultural theorist and semiotician
Juri Lotman Juri Lotman (russian: Ю́рий Миха́йлович Ло́тман; 28 February 1922 – 28 October 1993) was a prominent Russian-Estonian literary scholar, semiotician, and historian of Russian culture, who worked at the University of Tart ...
.
Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz Johann Friedrich Gustav von Eschscholtz (1 November 1793 – 7 May 1831)Sterling (1997) was a Baltic German physician, naturalist, and entomologist. He was one of the earliest scientific explorers of the Pacific region, making significant collec ...
, a Baltic German physician, naturalist, and entomologist, was born in Tartu. He was one of the earliest scientific explorers of the Pacific region, making significant collections of flora and fauna in Alaska, California, and Hawaii. Nobel Chemistry Prize laureate
Wilhelm Ostwald Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald (; 4 April 1932) was a Baltic German chemist and German philosophy, philosopher. Ostwald is credited with being one of the founders of the field of physical chemistry, with Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, Walther Nernst, ...
studied and worked in Tartu. The
Tartu School Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia after the Northern European country's political and financial capital, Tallinn. Tartu has a population of 91,407 (as of 2021). It is southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of ...
is one of the leading scientific schools in
semiotics Semiotics (also called semiotic studies) is the systematic study of sign processes ( semiosis) and meaning making. Semiosis is any activity, conduct, or process that involves signs, where a sign is defined as anything that communicates something ...
.


Main sights

The architecture and city planning of historical Tartu mainly go back to the pre-independence period, with Germans forming the upper and middle classes of society, and therefore contributing many architects, professors and local politicians. Most notable are the old
Lutheran Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched th ...
St. John's Church St. John's Church, Church of St. John, or variants, thereof, (Saint John or St. John usually refers to John the Baptist, but also, sometimes, to John the Apostle or John the Evangelist) may refer to the following churches, former churches or other ...
( et, Jaani Kirik, german: link=no, Johanneskirche), the 18th-century
town hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or a municipal building (in the Philippines), is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses ...
, the university building, ruins of the 13th-century
cathedral A cathedral is a church that contains the '' cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denomination ...
, the botanical gardens, the main shopping street, many buildings around the town hall square and
Barclay Square Barclay Square ( et, Barclay plats) is a public square and park in the city of Tartu, Estonia, adjacent to the Ülikooli street. It is named after Russian Imperial officer Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly Prince Michael Andreas Barclay de ...
. The historical slum area called Supilinn (''Soup Town'') is located on the bank of river Emajõgi, near the town centre and is regarded as one of the few surviving "poor" neighbourhoods of 19th-century Europe. At the moment Supilinn is being rapidly renovated, undergoing a slow transformation from the historic slum into a prestigious high-class neighborhood. The active community embodied by the Supilinn Society is committed to preserving the heritage. The Second World War destroyed large parts of the city centre and during the Soviet occupation, many new buildings were erected – notably the new Vanemuine Theater. The effects of the war are still witnessed by the relative abundance of parks and greenery in the historic centre. Typical Soviet-style neighbourhoods of blocks of high-rise flats were built between World War II and the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991, the largest such district being
Annelinn Annelinn (Estonian for ''"Anne's Town"'') is a neighbourhood of Tartu, Estonia, located on the left bank of Emajõgi River. It has a population of 27,755 (as of 31 December 2013), or 27.34% of the whole city's population. With an area of , it i ...
. Presently, Tartu is also known for several modern buildings of the "steel, concrete and glass" variation, but has managed to retain a mix of old and new buildings in the centre of town. Notable examples include the Tigutorn Tower and the Emajõe Centre, both built during the current period of independence; Tartu's tallest and second tallest towers, respectively. Tartu's large student population means that it has a comparatively thriving nightlife, with many nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, including the world's highest-ceiling pub, in the historic Gunpowder Cellar of Tartu. Annually, in the summer, Tartu hosts the Hanseatic Days festival ( et, Hansapäevad) to celebrate its Hanseatic heritage. The festival includes events such as handicraft markets, historic workshops and jousting tournaments.


Sports

Tartu is the home for basketball club
Tartu Ülikool/Rock University of Tartu basketball team ( et, link=no, Tartu Ülikooli korvpallimeeskond ), for sponsorship reasons known as Tartu Ülikool Maks & Moorits, is a professional basketball team based in Tartu, Estonia. The team plays in the Latvian–Es ...
, which participates in the
Korvpalli Meistriliiga The Korvpalli Meistriliiga ( en, Basketball Champions League), known as the OlyBet Korvpalli Meistriliiga for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier level and most important professional basketball league in Estonia. It is controlled by the Est ...
and the
Latvian-Estonian Basketball League The Latvian-Estonian Basketball League is the highest professional men's club basketball league in Latvia and Estonia; it has been organised since 2018, run by the Latvian Basketball Association and the Estonian Basketball Association. History ...
.
Football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
club
JK Tammeka Tartu Tartu JK Tammeka, commonly known as Tartu Tammeka or simply Tammeka, is a football club, based in Tartu, Estonia, that competes in the Meistriliiga, the top flight of Estonian football. Founded in 1989, the club has played in the Meistriliiga ...
, one of the
Meistriliiga Meistriliiga (, known as the A. Le Coq Premium Liiga for sponsorship reasons) is the highest division of the Estonian Football Association annual football (soccer), football championship. The league was founded in 1992, and was initially semi-p ...
clubs, is located in Tartu. Their home stadium is the
Tamme Staadion Tamme Stadium ( et, Tamme staadion) is a multi-purpose stadium in Tartu, Estonia, located in the district of Tammelinn. First opened in 1932 and reaching its current look in 2011, the stadium is home to Tartu JK Tammeka, Tartu Tammeka and holds 1 ...
, which has a capacity of 1600. The city is also home to the Tartu JK Welco and
FC Santos Tartu Football Club Tartu Santos is an Estonian football club based in Tartu. Their home ground is Tartu Annelinna kunstmurustaadion. History In 2014 Santos, while competing in the third tier of Estonian football, reached the 2013–14 Estonian Cup fi ...
clubs, which play in the
Esiliiga The Esiliiga is the second division in the Estonian football league system. The Esiliiga is ranked below the Meistriliiga and above the Esiliiga B. As in most countries with low temperatures in winter time, the season starts in March and ends i ...
, the second division. Tartu has a professional volleyball club, Bigbank Tartu, as well as the handball team, the Tartu Ülikool/Glassdrive, which plays in the second division of Estonian handball. Tartu is also the hometown of
Clement "Puppey" Ivanov Clement Ivanov (born March 6, 1990), better known as Puppey, is an Estonian professional '' Dota 2'' player for Team Secret. He is the founding member of Team Secret. Together with Natus Vincere, Puppey won The International 2011 in August 2011 ...
, captain of
Team Secret Team Secret is an esports team based in Europe formed in 2014, best known for their ''Dota 2'' team. In March 2016, Team Secret picked up an international female '' Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'' team. In April 2016, Team Secret expanded into ...
, a professional
Dota 2 ''Dota 2'' is a 2013 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game by Valve. The game is a sequel to ''Defense of the Ancients'' (''DotA''), a community-created mod for Blizzard Entertainment's '' Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.'' ''Dota 2' ...
team. He won the first
International International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...
, and was runner-up two years in a row with Natus Vincere. The
2017 World Orienteering Championships The 34th World Orienteering Championships were held in Tartu, Estonia in June/July 2017. The official name of the event is Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships 2017 after the title sponsor Nokian Tyres Nokian Tyres plc ( fi, Nokian Re ...
were held in Tartu. The annual running event
Tartu Sügisjooks Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia after the Northern European country's political and financial capital, Tallinn. Tartu has a population of 91,407 (as of 2021). It is southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of ...
takes place in Tartu.


Notable people

*
Andrus Ansip Andrus Ansip (; born 1 October 1956) is an Estonian politician, a member of the European Parliament, the former European Commissioner for Digital Single Market and Vice President of the European Commission, in office from 2014 until 2019. Previo ...
(1956), politician, former Prime Minister of Estonia *
Lauri Aus Lauri Aus (4 November 1970 – 20 July 2003) was an Estonian professional cyclist who represented his native country at three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1992. He was born in Tartu, became a professional in 1995, and rode fo ...
(1970–2003), professional road cyclist * George Browne, (1698–1792), Irish-born Governor of Dorpat *
Karl Ernst Claus Karl Ernst Claus (also Karl Klaus or Carl Claus, russian: Карл Ка́рлович Кла́ус, 22 January 1796 – 24 March 1864) was a German-Russian chemist and naturalist of Baltic German origin. Claus was a professor at Kazan State Un ...
(1796–1864), Baltic German chemist and botanist *
Jaan Einasto Jaan Einasto (born 23 February 1929) is an Estonian astrophysicist and one of the discoverers of the large-scale structure of the Universe. Born Jaan Eisenschmidt in Tartu, the name "Einasto" is an anagram of "Estonia" (it was chosen by his p ...
(1929), astrophysicist *
Elisabeth Erm Elisabeth Erm (Tartu, 1 February 1993) is an Estonian model. Career She was discovered at age 17, when a model agent approached her and she decided to give it a try. She was then sent to Milan one summer and Istanbul another summer. In January 2 ...
(1993), fashion model *
George Hackenschmidt Georg Karl Julius Hackenschmidt ( – 19 February 1968) was an early 20th-century Estonian strongman, professional wrestler, author, and sports philosopher who is recognized as professional wrestling's first world heavyweight champion. Hacke ...
(1877–1968), strongman, professional wrestler, writer and philosopher *
Else Hueck-Dehio Else Hueck-Dehio (1897–1976) was a German author. Life Dehio was born on 30 December 1897Entry in thbaptismal register of Dorpat University in Tartu, Dorpat, Governorate of Livonia, Livonia in the Russian Empire. Else Dehio was the daughter o ...
, Baltic German writer *
Carl Robert Jakobson Carl Robert Jakobson ( – ) was an Estonian writer, politician and teacher active in the Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire. He was one of the most important persons of the Estonian national awakening in the second half of the 19th century ...
(1841–1882), writer, politician and teacher *
Maarja Jakobson Maarja Jakobson (born 8 December 1977) is an Estonian television, stage and film actress whose career began in the late 1990s. Eraly life and education Maarja Jakobson was born in Tartu in 1977. She is distantly related to 19th-century writer and ...
(1977), actress *
Martin Järveoja Martin Järveoja (; born 18 August 1987) is an Estonian rally co-driver. He is currently teamed with Ott Tänak and is competing for Hyundai in the World Rally Championship. Rally career He is the son of Estonian politician Toomas Järveoja, an ...
(1987), rally co-driver *
Rasmus Kaljujärv Rasmus Kaljujärv (born 28 March 1981) is an Estonian actor. Kaljujärv started his movie career in 2003 and has played in 10 films and television series. His father Hannes Kaljujärv Hannes Kaljujärv (born on 4 January 1957 in Tartu) is an Est ...
(1981), actor *
Alar Karis Alar Karis (; born 26 March 1958) is an Estonian Molecular genetics, molecular geneticist, Developmental biology, developmental biologist, civil servant and politician who, since 11 October 2021, has served as the sixth President of Estonia. P ...
(1958), biologist and the 6th
President of Estonia The president of the Republic of Estonia ( et, Eesti Vabariigi President) is the head of state of the Republic of Estonia. The current president is Alar Karis, elected by Parliament on 31 August 2021, replacing Kersti Kaljulaid. Estonia is ...
* Kerr Kriisa (2001), basketball player * Sally von Kügelgen (1860–1928), painter *
Leonid Kulik Leonid Alekseyevich Kulik (Russian: Леонид Алексеевич Кулик; 19 August 1883 – 14 or 24 April 1942) was a Soviet mineralogist who is noted for his research into meteorites. He was born in Dorpat, (now Tartu, Tartu County, ...
(1883–1942), Russian mineralogist * Emil Mattiesen (1875–1939), composer, pianist and philosopher *
Laura Põldvere Laura Põldvere (formerly Remmel; born 30 August 1988) sometimes known professionally as simply Laura, is an Estonian singer. She is said to be the most played Estonian artist on Estonian radio in the past decade. She is internationally known for ...
(1988), singer * Elsa Ratassepp (1893–1972), actress *
Eno Raud Eno Raud (15 February 1928 – 10 July 1996) was an Estonian children's writer. His works are considered classics in Estonia as well as in the other former Soviet countries. Raud was included in International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY ...
(1928-1996), children's author *
Zofia Romer Zofia Romer ''née'' Dembowska (February 16, 1885 – August 23, 1972) was a Polish painter. She was born in 1885 in Dorpat (now Tartu, Estonia) to well-known physician Tadeusz Dembowski and his wife Matylda. She grew up in Lithuania and Poland s ...
(1885–1972), Polish painter *
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi Kristina Šmigun-Vähi (born 23 February 1977) is a former Estonian female cross-country skier and politician. She is the most successful Estonian female cross-country skier with two Olympic gold medals. In 2019 she was elected as a Member of th ...
(1977), cross-country skier *
Rein Taaramäe Rein Taaramäe (born April 24, 1987) is an Estonian road bicycle racer, who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam . Career Cofidis (2008–14) Taaramäe turned professional in 2008 for after riding for the team as a stagiaire in late 2007 and winni ...
(1987), professional road cyclist *
Aino Talvi Aino Talvi (6 February 1909 – 12 March 1992) was an Estonian stage, film, and radio actress and singer whose career spanned over sixty years. Early life Aino Talvi was born Aino Müller in Tartu to police constable August Müller and Miil ...
(1909–1992), actress *
Ants Veetõusme Ants Veetõusme (born 3 May 1949 in Tallinn) is an Estonian politician, fencer, and financial and sports figure. Veetõusme graduated from Tartu State University in 1972 with a degree in finance and credit. From 1991 until 1993, he was the Mayo ...
(born 1949), politician (former
Mayor of Tartu The following is a list of Mayors of Tartu, Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by th ...
) and financial figure *
Siim-Sander Vene Siim-Sander Vene (born 12 November 1990) is an Estonian professional basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the Basketball Champions League. Standing at 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in), he plays both the small ...
(born 1990), basketball player for
Hapoel Jerusalem Hapoel Jerusalem is a sport organization in Jerusalem as a local branch of the Hapoel movement. The branch was established in the 1920s and represents the city in more sports than any other sport organization in Jerusalem. Today, the club's leadi ...
of the
Israeli Premier League The Israeli Premier League ( he, ליגת העל, ''Ligat Ha`Al'', ), is a professional association football league which operates as the highest division of the Israeli Football League – the state's league of Israel. The league is contested b ...


Gallery

File:University of Tartu, Main Building, April 2012.JPG, University of Tartu main building File:Tartu, botanická zahrada.jpeg, University of Tartu Botanical Gardens File:Riigikohus.jpg, The
Supreme Court of Estonia The Supreme Court of Estonia ( et, Riigikohus) is the court of last resort in Estonia. It is both a court of cassation and a constitutional court. The courthouse is in Tartu. History During the first independence period (1919-1940) With the F ...
File:Arch bridge in Tartu.jpg, Kaarsild (''Arch Bridge'') over the Emajõgi File:Kuradisild sügisõhtul.JPG,
Kuradisild Kuradisild (''Devil's Bridge''; originally Aleksandri sild, German: ''Alexander Brücke'', ''Alexander's Bridge'') is a dark concrete bridge located on Toomemägi in Tartu, Estonia, built to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov Dyn ...
(''Devil's Bridge'') File:Telleri kabel.jpg, Teller chapel in Tartu, Estonia. Built in 1794 File:Tartu Kunstimuuseum.JPG,
Tartu Art Museum Tartu Art Museum ( Estonian: ''Tartu Kunstimuuseum'') is a state-owned museum of art located in Tartu, Estonia. It was founded in 1940 on a private initiative by the members of local art school Pallas. This is the largest art museum in Southern ...
File:Laulupeomuuseum.JPG, Song Festival Museum File:Tartu Town Hall Place towards Kaarsild 2015.jpg, Tartu Town Hall Square File:Tartu Peetri kirik 2012.jpg, St Peter's Church File:Tartu asv2022-04 img28 StPaul Church.jpg, St Paul's Church File:TrefnGymn-2012-06.png,
Hugo Treffner Gymnasium Hugo Treffner Gymnasium ( et, Hugo Treffneri Gümnaasium; abbreviated as HTG) is a secondary school in Tartu, Estonia with special emphasis on science education. Founded by Hugo Treffner, it was the only large secondary school in 19th-century Est ...
File:Tartu asv2022-04 img26 Vanemuine small building.jpg, "Little House" of the
Vanemuine Vanemuine () is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It was the first Estonian language theatre. History ''1870–1906 The Beginning of the Beginning. Koidula’s Theatre, Wiera’s Theatre.'' On June 24, 1870 was the first day in Estonian theatre ...
theatre File:Tartu Kaubamaja 2011.JPG, Tartu Department Store File:Tasku.jpg,
Tasku Shopping Centre Tasku Shopping Centre ( et, Tasku Keskus, abbreviated Tasku) is a shopping mall in Tartu, Estonia. Next to Tasku is located Emajõe Business Centre. Tasku was opened in 2008. The building was designed by Kalle Rõõmuse. Style of the building is ...
File:Tartu railway station, 2014.JPG,
Tartu railway station Tartu railway station ( et, Tartu raudteejaam) is the main railway station in Tartu, Estonia. Tartu railway station is situated west of the centre Tartu. It was established in 1876 when Tapa–Tartu route was built. The station building was ope ...


See also

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Immaculate Conception Church, Tartu The Immaculate Conception Church ( et, Pühima Neitsi Maarja Pärispatuta Saamise kirik) also known as the Catholic church in Tartu and more formally "Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary" is the name given to a religiou ...
*
Pigcam The Wild Pig Cam or Pigcam ( et, notsukaamera), officially Forest Webcam ( et, Metsakaamera), also known as Pig TV ( et, Sea-TV) was a joint project of looduskalender.ee ( :et) and EENet involving a publicly accessible webcam placed near a wild ...
, wild game feeding webcam, in a forest near Tartu *
University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; et, Tartu Ülikool; la, Universitas Tartuensis) is a university in the city of Tartu in Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is the only classical university in the country, and also its biggest ...
**
Tartu University Library Tartu University Library is an academic library in Tartu, Estonia, belonging to the University of Tartu. It is the largest academic library in the country. The library was founded in 1802 (with its forerunner from 1632). Holdings include appro ...
*
St Mary's Church, Tartu St Mary's Church (Estonian: ''Tartu Maarja kirik'') is a 19th century church of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church located in Tartu, Estonia. Formation of the Parish The original St Mary's parish was founded on 15 August 1224. The present ...
*
St Paul's Church, Tartu St Paul's Church ( et, Tartu Pauluse kirik) is a 20th-century church of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church located in Tartu, Estonia. St Paul's congregation The St Paul's congregation was formed as a separate congregation from St Mary's Ch ...
*
St Peter's Church, Tartu St Peter's Church ( et, Tartu Peetri kirik, german: link=no, Petrikirche) is a 19th-century church of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church located in Tartu, Estonia. St Peter's Parish The parish separated from St Mary's parish on 27 October ...


Sources

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Notes


References


Further reading

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External links


City of Tartu

Tourism website

University of Tartu

Weather in Tartu
{{Authority control Cities and towns in Estonia Members of the Hanseatic League Kreis Dorpat Populated places in Tartu County Populated places established in the 5th century 1030 establishments