The 10 Best Free Things to do in Tartu County, Tartu County

Come and visit one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the world (founded in 1803). The Botanical Gardens were designed under the supervision of world-famous botanists, Prof Ledebour and Prof Bunge.The Botanical Gardens currently belong to the University of Tartu and they are used as a study base for students. The Botanical Gardens introduce new decorative plans and different methods of landscaping.Interesting facts:- there are 6500 species of plants from all climatic belts of the world in the Botanical Gardens, which makes it the most species-rich area in Estonia;- the palm house of the Botanical Gardens is the biggest in the Baltic States and also the richest in species.

The Kissing Students' sculpture and fountain is one of the most recognised symbols of Tartu. A fountain has stood in the same place since 1948, when newlyweds and their guests would visit it for luck, and people would also take a dip in it. The sculpture was created by Mati Karmin and completed in 1998. Since 2006 the fountain has been surrounded by tiles bearing the names of Tartu's sister cities: Bærum, Deventer, Ferrara, Fredriksberg, Hafnarfjorður, Hameenlinna, Kaunas, Luneburg, Pihkva, Riia, Salisbury, Tampere, Turu, Uppsala, Veszprem and Zutphen. They are situated in the direction that the cities lie from Tartu, marking the distances.

Tartu Town Hall Square is the trapeze-shaped central square of Tartu, surrounded by classical buildings. The current town hall is the third building that has been erected to that spot. In the 18th century, the square was the location of the most important market in the city – der Grosse Markt, or the Great Market. Since 1998, it has been adorned by the fountain known as the Kissing Students. Every day, bells ring out from the tower of the Town Hall; its 18 bells were manufactured in the bell foundry in Karlsruhe, Germany, and 16 bells were cast for the 15th anniversary of bell-ringing at the Royal Eijsbouts Belfry in the Netherlands. A yellow National Geographic window erected in the Town Hall Square represents Tartu as one of the places in Southern Estonia worth discovering.

A grand and stylish pseudo-gothic brick church (architects Viktor Johann Gottlieb Schroter, Georg Hellat) greets you right next to the site of the first general song festival of Estonia. In the church, you can admire Johann Koler's altar painting 'Inviting Christ' (1897) and enjoy concerts in the hall that has room for up to 3000 people.Interesting facts:- WG Eisenschmidt, one of the first Estonian pastors, was the first pastor of the congregation and he served them for 53 years;- St Peter’s Church has a 19th century organ with 22 registers.

Come and marvel at the unique silhouette of this beautiful art nouveau church (architect Eliel Saarinen). Tartu St Paul’s Church is one of the most outstanding 20th century sacral buildings in Estonia (1915, consecrated in 1917). You can admire the altar (1923) with the group of marble sculptures ‘Come to me, all ye who are weary and burdened’ by Amandus Adamson. The bells made in Ruhrland in 1923 ring in the tower of St Paul’s Church and a there is also a shop of Christian literature and symbols in the church.Interesting facts:- one of the wings of the church was used by the Estonian Museum of Sports for almost 40 years.

Southern Estonia's biggest shopping and recreation centre, Lounakeskus, offers more than 160 different stores and services. Bring the family! The centre boasts its own full-sized ice rink, operating year-round; the AHHAA 4D experience cinema; a driving school for children with electric cars; a sports club; the AHHAA Science Centre; and much more. Lounakeskus has a wide range of fast food outlets, restaurants and traditional cafes. All of the eateries in the centre offer free WiFi. You're bound to spend an enjoyable day at Lounakeskus!

The monument to the most renowned Estonian symphonist of all times Eduard Tubin stands on the slope by the Vanemuine Theatre (authors A Vahtrapuu, V Valk, sound installations created by Louis Dandrel). Come and see how the well-known Estonian conductor and composer conducts an imaginary orchestra and listen to sound installations of the works of Eduard Tubin.