- What to visit in the historical center of Narva
- Narva independence symbol
- Herman's castle is the main object of tourist attention
- Temples of Narva
On the map of the planet, you can find many wonderful cities and towns, of particular interest are those located in the border zone, since such a location leaves a special imprint on the formation of architecture, culture, art and life. What to visit in Narva, the most Russian-speaking city in Estonia? Naturally, the main attraction is the Narva Castle, as well as powerful bastions, majestic cathedrals, solid expositions of the local museum.
What to visit in the historical center of Narva
The old town is called the region of Narva, which was formed during the Middle Ages. Since the city constantly passed from hand to hand, it was either Swedish or Russian, even today you can see here how amazingly two cultures, two architectural styles intertwine.
The greatest attention of tourists is focused on the following objects:
- Narva Town Hall, built during 1665–1671;
- Herman's Castle (Narva Castle), the construction of which began in the 13th century;
- Narva bastions.
In the Old Town of Narva, you can see wide squares, narrow, crooked, short streets and dead ends, green gardens and fortress walls abundantly overgrown with moss. The architecture is dominated by Swedish buildings, they can be recognized by the walls, lined with slabs, tiled roofs, ending with sharp spiers. Representatives of Swedish architecture are "diluted" with wooden houses created by Russian craftsmen.
It is clear that most of the Old City was badly damaged during the Second World War, and did not rebuild for a long time. Fortunately, the Narva bastions, defensive structures, and the Dark Garden, which is the oldest city park in Narva, have survived. These places are the best answer to the question of what to visit in Narva on your own.
Narva independence symbol
The first point on the route of tourists around the city is the Town Hall, which is a monument of architecture and history at the same time. The initiative for the construction of the building of the city government belonged not to local residents, but to the Swedish royal palace, which ruled in this region at that time.
The first project proposed to erect a Baroque Town Hall building, but was not approved in Stockholm. The next variant proposed the style of Dutch classicism, and it was this that was implemented. The building consisted of three floors, flagstone was used for the construction, Tuscan pilasters and columns were present in the decor. The roof is hipped, decorated with a tower with two galleries; this architectural masterpiece was crowned with a weather vane on top.
Unfortunately, during the liberation of Narva from the Nazi invaders, the building was seriously damaged, almost completely destroyed, but restored in the 1960s. Today you can see the restored portals, facades, painted ceiling in the lobby, a Baroque tower.
Herman's castle is the main object of tourist attention
It is interesting that the Danes were the builders of the castle; this construction, important for the city, began in the 13th century. Then, over the next centuries, he repeatedly changed his masters, Danes and Russians, Swedes and Germans, including representatives of the Livonian Order, “ruled the show”.
By the way, during the last world war, the castle was damaged, restoration work affected only a part of the castle complex, the renovated premises now house the Narva Museum and Library.
The restoration began in 1950, the first stage of restoration work was completed only in 1986. Three years later, the first part of the museum's exposition was opened, it told about the history of Narva and the surrounding area, covering the time period from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The work continues, in the future it is planned to present materials telling about the later period of the city's life.
Temples of Narva
In the easternmost city of Estonia, there are many churches belonging to different denominational groups. Temple complexes, cathedrals and churches will be of interest to tourists as well, as they are valuable historical and cultural sites.
Tourists are interested in the Alexander Lutheran Church. Its construction began in 1881 in the neo-Romanesque style, and the name is associated with the fact that the temple was built in honor of the Russian emperor Alexander II. Before the war, this church was the largest in the city, it could simultaneously accommodate five thousand people, and its tower was a kind of symbol of Narva.
The Resurrection Cathedral is the main gathering place for the Orthodox parishioners of Narva, of whom there are quite a large number. At one time (1890-1896) it was built for the workers of the Krenholm manufactory, who considered themselves Orthodox. The architectural solution of the temple is sustained in the neo-Byzantine style, the consecration took place in 1896, the side chapels of the temple complex - in 1897.
