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Pärnu
5. june 2003
Pärnu County,the biggest in Estonia, surrounds the summer capital of Estonia-Pärnu.
Pärnu is the fourth largest city in Estonia. It is located 130 km south of Tallinn, at the mouth of the river Pärnu, on the shores of Pärnu Bay.During its 750-years history, Pärnu has been a Hansa town dealing with transit trade, a Swedish domain and imprtant stronghold in Livonia, a university town, a port of the Russian Empire, an export port for corn, flax and timber, a spa and an industrial town.
Today Pärnu has gained popularity as a holidaymaking and resort town. Owing to the warm seawater, its sandy beach and gorgeous parks. The 1930s was the prime time for the resort. Many rehabilitation centres and hotels were built at that time and Pärnu became a mecca for Scandinavian tourists. The present spa town of Pärnu attracts the young people with its beaches and the ruckus of summer events, and the not so young with fresh air, mud baths, and peace and quite.There is something for everyone´s pleasure. Pärnu is a health resort of international statue.
The Red Tower
The only retained bastion of the town wall, the oldest building of the present-day Pärnu. It was most probably built during the first half of the 15th century. In 1543, it received its name of Red or Prison Tower (Rode vangen thorn).
Rüütli Street
This is the main street of the Old Town. The most beautiful old buildings of the town are located there. There is the Town Museum in one of the buildings in the 53 Rüütli Street that dispays the past and present of Pärnu town.
The Town Hall
It was built in 1797 as a dwelling house for one of the citys merchants. After the death of the owner, the building was bought from the heirs according to the orders of Tzar Alexander I during his visit in Pärnu. In 1819 the building was rebuilt to be used as a House of the Governor, and later as a Town Hall. The building is built in Classicism style. The Jugendstil extension with Neo-Gothic and Neo-Baroque traits at the corner was built in 1911.
St. Catherine's Church
The richest and most stylish Baroque church in Estonia was built under the order the Russian Empress Catherine II in 1764 - 1768. The church has influenced the development of the entire clerical architecture of the Apostolic Orthodox church in the Baltic countries.
The Elizabeth's Church
One of the most outstanding sacred buildings of the Baroque era in Estonia was established in 1744 - 1747. The spire of the tower was made by the tower master of Riga`s St. Peter`s Church. As the construction works were funded by the Russian Empress Elizabeth, the church was called the Elizabeth's Church. The church takes pride in its organ, made by H. Kolbe from Riga in 1929, which is considered to be one of the best in Estonia
Old resort houses
To the south from town centre there is a beautiful park, designed in 1882 that leads to the beach. You can see several beautiful villas while walking in the park. One of the most impressive is Villa Ammende built in 1905 in the Art Nouveau style (Jugendstil).
Pärnu ametlik inernetilehekülg
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