TALLINN - Imagine an ideal Saturday, late in the morning with fresh coffee, a light breakfast and snow flakes twinkling in the sun light. The winter has officially arrived. It is not too cold yet, but it is incredibly beautiful outside. This is the perfect time to head out for a walk.
The best place for a weekend walk within Tallinn is definitely Kadriorg Park. An amazing baroque palace and park, Kadriorg was built by Russian Czar Peter I in celebration of Tallinn's submission in 1710.
Kadriorg was named after Peter's wife, Ekaterina, and means the Valley of Ekaterina. The palace used to be a summer residence for the czar's family, and the park was meant to be the place for local residents to take walks. It is now the residence of the Estonian president.
As planned by Peter I almost 300 years ago, Kadriorg is still a place where locals spend a lot of quality time. Everyone will find something to entertain themselves with in the area, and will keep warm memories of the great time spent regardless of the cold temperature.
First of all is the primary reason the Park was created for 's the walk. Romantic alleys, intervening with each other and little squares, beautiful fountains and a pond with a picturesque arbor in the middle, will not allow one to get tired from one picture for couple of hours.
However the Kadriorg Park is not only about getting fresh air for a healthy glow. The real pearl of the park are a few museums that are part of the Estonian Art Museum.
The first is Kadriorg art's museum, located in the Palace. The exposition consists of foreign art, represented by Western European and Russian paintings, graphics and sculpture from the 16th to 20th centuries. The atmosphere of those times, supported by the decor of palace, leaves a great aftertaste of time-travel.
In the small building across the street, which used to serve as a kitchen, is located another museum of works donated by Johannes Mikkel. Most of the exhibition was a gift from Mikkel, one of the most famous collectors of the last century.
The museum presents artwork from four centuries worth of Estonian, Chinese, Western European and Russian artists. An amazing collection of European and Chinese porcelain can be found on the second floor.
These two museums make perfect stops for those walking in the park 's however, they are more like a good starter before a real dinner. The main attraction here is the KUMU Art Museum.
Opened in 2006, KUMU is considered the head building of the Estonian Art Museum. It stores the largest part of the museum's collection and holds the conservation-restoration department. On five floors, KUMU presents its permanent exhibition and temporary expositions, as well as a gallery of modern art.
There is an educational center for both children and adults, where everyone will be introduced to art. The art school conducts lessons in theory and practice, where even those who have never held a brush in their hand can learn to paint.
A huge multifunctional auditorium always has something new on the agenda, be it a fascinating documentary or educational lecture by the experts in the field.
Hours can be spent in the labyrinth that is the state-of-the-art museum. One exhibition hall smoothly leads into another, with different levels and outlines. One never knows what to expect around the corner when walking here.
Extremely interesting video and sound installations leave viewers amazed. The hall with speaking busts of famous people 's where they all spew famous recorded phrases at the same time 's is quite an unforgettable experience.
KUMU museum and the surrounding Kadriorg Park is a place where it's easily possible to spend the whole day; taking a few breaks for a fresh air walk or a documentary, dipping into historic pieces of art or evaluating modern ones.
