Jewish Heritage Of Tallinn

OVERVIEW

Visit attractions that will lend historical insight into Jewish life in Tallinn, especially during World War II. A walk through Old Town will set the stage for your immersion into the past as Tallinn was founded there in the 13th century. The focus will turn to Estonia’s natural beauty once you drive into the countryside, enjoying views of the Baltic Sea as you pass by Rannamoisa Cliff and roaring Keila Waterfall, which lies in the shadow of a manor house once owned by the statesman that founded Imperial Russia’s secret police. Enjoy a short break at a local cafe. Consider it an omen of what lies nearby – the infamous Klooga Concentration Camp. Of all the horrors, the cruelest was the execution of every Jew in the camp just before they were to be liberated. Seeing the memorial at Klooga will be a moving experience. The Jewish population still isn’t huge in Tallinn, but it is growing as you will discover at the capital’s Beit Bella Synagogue.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Klooga Concentration Camp, where thousands of Jews were executed during World War II.
• Gain an understanding of modern Jewish life in Tallinn at the Beit Bella Synagogue.
• Walk through the capital’s 13th-century Old Town for a glimpse into Tallinn’s long history.
• Behold the natural beauty on the outskirts of town at a seaside cliff and thundering waterfall.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.