French
DeutschViljandi is an ancient hilly city of 17,000 people (2019) in the South of Estonia.
Understand
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Evidence of civilization around Viljandi dates back to 500 BC. The first written record of a "Viljandi stronghold" was in 1154 in the commentaries to al-Idrisi's world atlas "Geography." Hanseatic merchants settled in Viljandi in the 14th century.
During the Soviet era, Viljandi was an important center of agriculture and industry, and many new apartment blocks and industrial facilities were built. However, the town also suffered from neglect and environmental degradation during this time.
For many people Viljandi conjures up images of the Viljandi Folk Music Festival and Viljandi Culture Academy. This small city is a cultural hub and the "capital of folk music" for most Estonians and a treat for the eye. Old wooden houses, cobblestone roads, the beautiful surroundings of the castle and the nearby lake make this city something special.
- 1 Tourist Information Centre, Vabaduse väljak 6, ☏ +372 433 04 42, fax: +372 433 04 42, viljandi@visitestonia.com.
Get in
[edit | edit source]Bus and train schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia#Get around.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Viljandi has a regular bus connection from/to Tallinn, Tartu, Valga, Pärnu and Põltsamaa (with a potential change at Kolga-Jaani), among others. The 1 Viljandi Bus Station can be found in the centre just north of the main junction.
By train
[edit | edit source]Elron connects Viljandi to Tallinn. Trains run a few times per day.
- 2 Viljandi railway station (Viljandi raudteejaam), Vaksali 44.
By car
[edit | edit source]Viljandi is on route 92, 75 km from Tartu and 90 km from Pärnu. From Tallinn, you have to take highway #2 first, and then turn off to route 49 - just 160 km. Further south, the 49 leads to Valga (75 km).
Get around
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Viljandi can easily be explored on foot. See the local transport website for more on buses (Viljandi linnalähiliinid).
By taxi
[edit | edit source]See
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- 1 Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle (Viljandi Lossimägi), Tasuja puiestee (on the southern end of town). Built in 1224, it had turned into one of the most powerful fortresses of the Livonian Order by the end of the 14th century. The fortress got its final shape and size in the beginning of the 16th century and was one of the most distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Owing to various wars, all that are left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls, however they still give an impression of its former grandeur. From the ruins you have the most beautiful view over the lake of Viljandi.
- 2 Trepimägi (Stairs hill), Linnu tn 2. The stairs of the Trepimägi in Viljandi were constructed around the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century in order to improve the road connecting the town and the lake. Next to the Trepimägi lie the beautiful homes of the town’s merchants and rich residents from the old days.
- 3 Väikemõisa manor, Väikemõisa bussipeatus, Peetrimõisa küla, Saarepeedi vald. The Väikemõisa manor was built in the beginning of the last century and is a good example of the Swiss chalet style influenced by the art nouveau movement. Today the manor house accommodates the Väikemõisa young children's orphanage and the house can be marvelled at from the outside only.
- 4 The Church of St. John (Jaani kirik), Pikk 6. A characteristic Estonian church, which dates back to the 17th century, but might appear 15th or even 14th century. The outside is not very interesting, but the interior is. A spacious hall with a flat wooden ceiling, more like a medieval castle. Also, there are several stained glass windows.
- 5 St. Paul’s Church (Pauluse kirik), Kiriku tn 3. Since 1866 a G. Knauf organ has filled the church with music, the biggest still functional organ of its kind in Estonia.
- 6 Heimtali Museum of Domestic Life (Heimtali mõis), Heimtali küla, Pärsti vald. Museum is situated in an old village school building of Heimtali that is a beautiful rubble stone building from year 1864. Visitors can familiarize themselves with perfect collection of the examples of national handicraft like old household goods and the furnishings of a hundred year old schoolroom. There's also a children's playroom.
- 7 Viljandi Rope Bridge (Viljandi rippsild). The rope bridge has become a favourite for both residents of and visitors to Viljandi and one of the town’s most important symbols. It was built in 1879, when bridges of 50 m in length of this style were not a routine yet. Initially, the bridge was in Tarvastu near Viljandi. In 1931, it was transferred to its final location. The dates are indicated on the bridge. It was reconstructed in 1995.
- 8 The Museum of Viljandi, Johan Laidoneri plats 10, ☏ +372 4333316. Tue-Sat 10-17:00. The building of the Museum of Viljandi is one of the oldest stone buildings in town. Until 1940 the house accommodated a pharmacy, the museum moved into this building in 1942. The permanent exhibitions of the museum provide an introduction into the local history from ancient times until today.
- 9 Town hall of Viljandi (Viljandi linnavalitsus), Linnu tn 2, ☏ +372 4354710. Home to the city government of Viljandi, this is one of the four oldest preserved stone buildings in town.
Do
[edit | edit source]Tennis courts, cafes, playgrounds, a diving tower, boat rental and catamaran trips are available at the lake.
Events
[edit | edit source]- Viljandi hosts many events and several international festivals throughout the year, including:
- Early Music Festival
- Hanseatic Days
- Young Dance Festival
- Mulgi Rally
- Winter Folk Dance Festival
- "Theatre in Suitcase" puppet theatre festival
- Since 1928, a run around Lake Viljandi has taken place on the first day of May every year.
- Hanseatic merchants' spirit can still be felt in Viljandi every June. People trade at a fair, dress the way people did in that era, organise exhibitions and party.
- 1 The Viljandi Folk festival. July. The festival runs for 4 days on the last weekend in July. More than 100 concerts take place in Viljandi castle's ruins, churches, and other venues throughout Viljandi County. It is the largest annual music festival in Estonia. Each year the festival draws over 20,000 visitors.
- 2 Viljandi Guitar Festival. October. Founded in 2008, this festival promotes improvisational and cross-genre guitar playing. It runs for 5 days in October, featuring concerts by both Estonian and international guitarists. The festival also includes artist-led workshops and the annual Tiit Paulus Young Guitarist Award.
- 3 Castle Escape, Viljandi. Castle Escape offers immersive escape room experiences in Viljandi. It is a fun, challenging activity for friends, families, or corporate groups, where participants solve puzzles to escape the room within a set time.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Viljandi is not great for shopping, but you will find the regular souvenirs and such related to the folk festival. Everything else, is what can be found in other cities as well.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Hesburger, Tallinna 41, ☏ +372 55537798, viljandi@hesburger.ee. Daily 09:00–22:00. Finnish hamburger chain.
- 2 Pappa Pizza, Tallinna 8, ☏ +372 4333906, info@pappapizza.ee. Mon-Sat 11:00–20:00, Sun closed. Popular pizzeria offering a wide selection of pizzas, including vegetarian and vegan options. Takeaway only at this branch. There is another branch at Riia mnt 35.
- 3 Roheline Maja Pood ja Kohvik (Green House Shop and Café), Koidu 2 (At the intersection of Tartu and Koidu streets, in the old town), ☏ +372 4344307, koidukuma.ou@gmail.com. Tue-Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat 09:00–18:00, Sun-Mon closed. Lovely organic café and grocery in a converted old pharmacy. Offers breakfast, lunch, hearty soups, freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes. Most products are organic. There is also a children's playroom and a summer terrace.
- 4 Viljandi Kohvik (Viljandi Café), Lossi 31 (In the old town), ☏ +372 4333021, kohvikviljandi@gmail.com. Mon-Fri 08:00–19:00, Sat-Sun 09:00–19:00. Traditional town café with a wide selection of cakes and pastries. The menu also includes local Mulgimaa dishes and children's meals. Group catering is available.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 5 Tegelaste Tuba, Pikk 2b (In the old town, on the way to the castle), ☏ +372 56873715, rrf@outlook.com. Mon-Sat 11:00–22:00, Sun 12:00–20:00. Cosy family restaurant and pub in the old town. Serves traditional Estonian home-style food, grilled dishes, burgers, salads and soups. The local speciality is Mulgipuder with smoked bacon. Outdoor seating is available.
- Kohvik Fellin (Fellin Café), Kauba 11 (In the old town), ☏ +372 4359795, info@kohvikfellin.ee. Mon-Thu 12:00–21:00, Fri-Sat 12:00–23:00, Sun 12:00–20:00. Popular café and restaurant in the old town, combining local ingredients from Viljandi County with European cuisine. Offers a carefully selected wine list, Estonian craft drinks and organic coffee. Has a summer terrace and a children's playroom. Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
- koduKOHVIK, Tartu 1 (In the town centre), ☏ +372 53999695, kodujakohvik@gmail.com. Mon 09:00–16:00, Tue-Thu 09:00–22:00, Fri 09:00–23:00, Sat 10:00–23:00, Sun 10:00–16:00. Cosy café in a more than 100-year-old house. Offers food made from fresh ingredients in a Scandinavian-inspired setting. There is also a small lifestyle and design shop.
- Ugala Theatre Cafe (Ugala Teatrikohvik), Vaksali 7 (Inside the Ugala Theatre), ☏ +372 4330793, kohvik@ugala.ee. Mon-Fri 11:30–16:00, Sat-Sun closed. Theatre café open to all visitors, not just theatre-goers. Offers an à la carte menu, daily specials, light refreshments and cakes. The summer terrace has a good view over the town.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Raamatubaar Romaan, Carl Robert Jakobsoni tänav 18 (in the town center), ☏ +372 5350 5490, raamatubaarromaan@gmail.com. Tue-Sat 20:00-23:00. A bar.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Academus Hostel Viljandi, Väike 6, ☏ +372 53495925. Probably the most inexpensive option in town. Single from €25.
- 2 Grand Hotel Viljandi.
- 3 Hostel Ingeri, Pikk 2C, ☏ +372 5599 7115, ingerihostel@gmail.com.
- 4 Just Rest Automatic Hostel, Tartu 25 (in the centre), ☏ +372 520 6772, info@justrest.eu. Check-in: 15:00/24 hr, check-out: 12:00. Self-service registration. Breakfast for groups by agreement. Free Wi-Fi and self-service laundry; en suite shower and toilet. Communal kitchen for longer stays. No guests after 22:00. Pets allowed in some rooms. From €31/40/54/60 for a 1/2/3/4-person room.
- 5 Pinska külalistemaja, Lapi-Pöka tee, ☏ +372 5665 3333, info@pinskamajutus.ee. Single from €56.
- 6 Sammuli Holiday Village (next to Lake Viljandi), ☏ +372 504 4298, sammuli@sammuli.ee. A holiday village.
- 7 Kupeevagun (just at the old train station of Mõisaküla, where the old railway tracks end,), ☏ +372 60 000 60, info@kupee.ee. Kupeevagun is an accommodation in a beautifully restored vintage sleeper train carriage.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Tartu – Museum-rich and hanseatic city on the banks of the Emajõgi River. Also, Estonia's second-largest and oldest city, intellectual hub famous for its universities, and a lively student city.
- Otepää – A small town set in the hills of south Estonia and best known winter sports centre in the Baltics, and the Winter Capital of Estonia. Surrounded by lakes, hills and ski jump towers.
- Põltsamaa – The centre of Estonian winery and wine production just a dozen km north.
- Soomaa National Park – About 60 km south of Tallinn and second largest national park in Estonia, known for its swamps and bogs (Soomaa means "land of bogs" in Estonian), and its "fifth season". Surprisingly, swimming is popular there and is said to rejuvenate the skin.
- Pärnu – A historical resort seaside city with a small harbour. Estonia's summer capital.
- Tõrva – The second largest city of Valga County after Valga. Popular for its caves, the ruins of a medieval castle, several interesting manors, and the fully authentic mausoleum of Barclay de Tolly.
- Valga – A town on the border with Latvia, where it literally grows into the Latvian town of Valka.