"The Student-spirit town" a Tartu Travel Page by bugulma

Staying in Tallinn, I got one-day trip to Tartu to walk around, to see the famous university as well as some other attractions. I saw much and special thanks to Lee (Tartu2005) who showed me the city. The main impression of the town is students are everywhere! :-)
Around 600 AD on the east side of Toome Hill the Estonians erected a fortress - Tarbatu. It was located in approximately the same area where the Astronomical Observatory now stands. The first mention in Russian chronicles about the town dates back to 1030 as Yuriev after Jaroslav, Kievskaya Rus' prince, raid the town and built new fortress here. In 1224 Germans took control over the town and built new fortifications. In 1280 Tartu joined Hanseatic League and became one of the main trade centers in the area. In XVI century Tartu was in the center of Livonian War of Russia and Lithuania, in the end of the century fell into Lithuanian-Polish control. Next, XVII century, wasn't calm for the area as well with attack of Sweden country that was becoming stronger year by year. In 1704 during Northern War Tartu became the town of Russian Empire. In 1920 Estonia had independence and all documents were signed exactly in Tartu. In 1940 Soviet Army got control over territory and since 1944 Tartu, like Estonia, is a part of USSR. since 1991 the town is a part of independent Estonia.