Once Tallinn was left behind, time to go ahead with the itinerary scheduled for the day: 329 km with a stop at Tartu - the intellectual capital of Estonia, where since 1998, the main square has been home to a fountain with a statue of kissing students, from which it gets its name. Being renowned for its university, it's not surprising that the statue has become one of the symbols of the city.
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Main Square
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The City Hall
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Several streets in the centre of Tartu are pedestrianized. To close them for car traffic, concrete stoppers are used. However, these are not just boring blocks or pillars but of many different designs: birds, shoes, turtles, barrels, etc. Every year, there is a competition among design students for a new series. The winning design is then produced. The young designers of Tartu definitely don't lack imagination...
It reads 'Live fast, die young'!!!
Tartu's tallest building and the city's Dormition of Mother of God Orthodox Church
The afternoon was spent running on a not very comfortable road, the speed limit on which was 90 km and the scenery, monotonous, somehow... very flat land, very few houses, scarce livestock. I always got puzzled whenever I saw people walking, sometimes carrying sacks, along roadside in areas totally deserted. Bus stops were very distant from one to another and sometimes with no bench, no shelter, either. I wonder how hard that people's daily life must be under adverse weather conditions...
A few hours later Aluksne, a border town in the Northeast Latvia, at the shores of Lake Aluksne, was before my eyes.
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When crossing the border from Estonia into Latvia, there was no one to check anything.
How comfortable the free movement of persons and goods within the European Union is!
Eastern Latvia's Centre of Creative Services (Rezekne)
It is the biggest building under green roofs in the Baltic countries
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Would you like to see what a street market in a rural area looks like? Why not get also a view of a cemetery? If so, the complementary slideshow will satisfy your curiosity and will also show you other visual information...
Enjoy the slideshow! Enjoy the weekend!
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Fantastic brings back wonderful Memories. Thank you ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Baz! Good to read your words... you're always welcome!
DeleteYour stunning photos and posts are the only way I get to go anywhere these days Belita. Thank you for sharing your lovely journeys. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteHi Shayna! Reading your words makes me feel happy... Hugs
DeleteA pretty countryside and peaceful cemetery, and even some sunshine for you! My father was born in Riga, in 1898 [not a typo] ~ he left his homeland in 1915, stowed away on a ship.... I don't think he ever got back there, and now I get to see some of my father's homeland through your pictures.... very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteHi Monica! I feel touched by your visit and words... there are coincidences that we can't easily understand but better to accept them without questioning much. I visited Riga and stayed there for three nights. I have no idea when I will post about such a beautiful city as I'm doing it chronologically. Riga was one of the last legs of my trip... hugs
DeleteNow I've returned from my week away, I am trying to catch up. This was a very enjoyable continuation of your journey. The city of Tartu seems a very nice place. i see what you mean about the countryside between towns....while it is quite pleasant, nothing stands out as being exceptional. The differences between new and old, as shown by your photos of Rezekne, is quite startling in places.
ReplyDeleteOh you are so kind, Mitch, spending your time to visit and comment.... thank you!
DeleteWhat a difference between the city...
ReplyDeleteBut I love these l- et's say - bucolic places :)
I agree with you...bucolic, indeed!
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