VIA TATARI

The Tatari district lies in the heart of downtown Tallinn and takes its name from the street of the same name that runs through the area. Its history is shaped by Russia's conquest of Estonia in the eighteenth century, when the tsarist authorities set up a camp here for the Tatars stationed in the city, later known as the Tatar Sloboda. Today the district, home to just under 2,000 residents, houses important cultural and diplomatic institutions. Top sights include the Kosmos cinema, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and the Embassy of the United States. The Liivalaia Gymnasium is also located in this lively neighborhood, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the historical diversity of the Estonian capital.