Tallinn - Kadriorg, palace, park, museum, beach, Russalka Memorial, Presidential Palace

Kadriorg
KADRIORG PALACE, PARK, MUSEUM, BEACH, RUSSALKA MEMORIAL, PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

Kadriorg (or Kadrioru) is a neighbourhood just East of the city center. It took just a few minutes by tram to get there and is part of the Kesklinn district (same as the city center). It is famous for the Kadriorg Palace, that was built by the Russian emperor Peter the Great, today an art museum. A large park is connected to the palace, as well as what is now the Presidential Palace. There is also a beach and a large Russian monument just north of the palace, next to the busy Narva maantee road. It is also a residential area with wooden houses, many of them rundown but many have also been refurbished, and modern villas. The large, modern and recently built Estonian art museum KUMU (click here) is also right next to the park. The weather was unfortunately not very good during my visit to Kadriorg, with grey skies and rainshowers.

KADRIORG PALACE AND ART MUSEUM:

Kadriorg Palace was built 1718-25 by Peter the Great for Catherine I of Russia in Petrine Baroque style and is considered the grandest example of palace and park design in Estonia. The name literally means "Catherine's valley". During Estonia's first period of independence (1918-40), it served as the presidential palace. Today it houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, so I visited musuem to see not only the paintings, but the interior of the palace. After WWII the palace neglected, but reopened again 2000 thanks to donations from Sweden. The palace serves as Art Museum of Estonia's branch for foreign art. There was a speical focus on portraits by Ilya Repin.


The park just outside the palace		Lobby of the Kadriorg Palace		Kadriorg Palace museum


Kadriorg Palace's Great Hall		Stucco decoration with Catherine's initials		Kadriorg Palace interior

One of two great halls, Kadriorg Palace.


Kadriorg Palace museum		Peter the Great portrayed by unknown artist		Angelika Kaufmann paintings


Hall (miniature version)		The highest hall		Chandelier in the hall


Art in the Hall		Art		Wooden art


Kadriorg Palace is still being renovated		Portrait by Repin		Old painting

KADRIORG PARK:

Kadriorg Park is the large Baroque park that is surrounding the Kadriorg Palace and the Presidential Palace. Here you can see the Russalka Memorial, seen from close to Kadriorg Palace

A.Weizenbergi street and a vintage Russian car

Pavilion, fountain and pond in Kadriorg Park

Kadriorg Park flower arrangements


Kreuzwald monument		Playground/small museum		Kadriorg Park


Fountain		A smaller art museum		A smaller art museum


A long path to the Russalka Memorial		Kadriorg Park		Kadriorg Palace from the park


The Japanese Garden		The Japanese Garden		The Japanese Garden

PRESIDENTIAL PALACE:

The Presidential Palace (Presidendi Kantselei) is situated opposite the Kadriorg Palace. Built in 1938 in Baroque style, drawn by Alar Kotli.

Guards at the Presidential Palace

Presidential Palace

KADRIORG BEACH AND RUSSALKA MEMORIAL:

The Russalka Memorial, situated between Kadriorg Park and Kadriorg Beach, is a bronze monument sculpted by Amandus Adamson in 1902,to mark teh 9th anniversary of the sinking of Rusalka, a Russian warship. It depicts and angel holding an Orthodox cross towards the assumed direction of the shipwreck. The model was the sculptor's housekeeper Juliana Rootsi.


Russalka Memorial		Russalka Memorial		Russalka Memorial

Kadriorg has a beach, with views of Tallinn's skyline and ferry harbour. It is situated only a few minutes walk from Kadriorg Palace, only divided by the road Narva maantee from Kadriorg Park. Unfortunately the weather was gloomy.

Ferry harbour seen from Kadriorg Beach

Pirita harbour seen from Kadriorg Beach


Old Town seen from Kadriorg Beach		Rent a pedal car at Kadriorg Beach!		Ferry harbour seen from Kadriorg Beach

KADRIORG NEIGHBOURHOOD, RESIDENTIAL AREA:

Kadriorg is a subdistrict of Kesklinn and means "Catherine's valley". During my visit to the Kadriorg Palace and Park and the KUMU art museum I strolled around the neighbourhood to get a look of an Estonian residential area. There are many wooden houses in the neighbourhood, unfortunately many of them felt into disrepair during the Russian period, but many of them have also been refurbished.

A very rundown wooden house, but with nice architecture, for sale.

A very modern and an older private residence in very good shape

J.Poska street, Kadriorg neighbourhood


A. Weizenbergi street, where the tram stops.		J.Poska street, Kadriorg neighbourhood		Kadriorg neighbourhood

OTHERS:


KUMU Estonian Art Museum (click here to visit its page)		Building seen from the tram, between Kadriorg and city center		Building seen from the tram, between Kadriorg and city center