"Walk the hill" Tartu Things to Do Tip by AgentJX

The most noticeable feature of Tartu is the large hill that rises behind town hall square (raekojaplats). Toomemägi or Dome hill rises above Tartu and offers a great place to walk. The area is a large park filled with paths that surround the cathedral ruins and old observatory. There are statues located throughout the park to several important Estonian figures. Also located on the hill is an old pagan sacrificial stone, which is located near the cathedral and high point of the hill (which is called the kissing hill). Toomemägi is a great walk anytime of day and during any season.
Dome Hill is one of the most historically significant points in Tartu as it has witnessed battles between pagan Estonians and the Germanic crusaders, the power struggle between the archbishop of Riga and the Tartu bishopric. It once held a pagan fortress, a Swedish fortress (two of the old earthen ramparts of this fortress can be seen, and of course the cathedral which remains in ruins today; although Tartu is currently resorting part of the old cathedral. If you are all familiar with Estonian or Baltic history than a walk across the hill is more than just a walk through a nice city park, it is also a tour of town’s long history.