Toomemägi (Cathedral Hill)

Toomemägi (Cathedral Hill) is the park-covered hill that rises directly behind the town hall square, and it is the most pleasant place to spend an hour in Tartu. The ruins of the 13th-century cathedral — massive Gothic walls open to the sky — house the University History Museum. Two observatory buildings from the early 19th century stand nearby: the original Tartu Old Observatory and the newer one built when the university's astronomy program expanded.

The hill itself is a landscaped park with walking paths, viewpoints over the town, and a small café near the top. The Angel's Bridge (Inglisild) and the Devil's Bridge (Kuradisild) cross the ravines on either side of the hill. A leisurely walk up from the square, through the ruins, and back down takes about 45 minutes.

things to do landmark
A story
Toomemägi was a fortified hill settlement before the Teutonic Knights converted it to a bishop's seat in the 13th century. The cathedral built here was one of the largest Gothic churches in the Baltic region. Swedish soldiers demolished most of it in the late 17th century to prevent it from being used as a military fortification. The ruins were eventually incorporated into the university — part of the nave was roofed over and serves as the university history museum today.