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Town Hall

Information about the City Council and the City Government
Raekoda, 51003 Tartu
Phone 1789

Town Hall
Program of Carillon
Carillon of Tartu Town Hall
Summer concerts

The Town Hall of Tartu

Since ancient times, the Town Hall Square has been the centre of Tartu. It was the main trading area of the settlement between the castle on the Toome Hill and the riverside port on the Emajõgi. The tradition was upheld for centuries. In the Middle Ages the seat of municipal power – The Town Hall – was erected.

The present building is already the third one on the same site. In comparison with the long history of Tartu its buildings are relatively new: very seldom can you see buildings that date back to earlier than the last quarter of the 18th century, which is the result of numerous devastating wars and fires. The Great Fire of 1775 ravaged almost the whole central part of Tartu. After the fire, Tartu began to obtain its present configuration and the Town Hall was also built. The original Town Hall of Tartu was designed by the master-builder of the town, Johann Heinrich Bartholomäus Walter (1734-1802) from Rostock. The cornerstone was laid in 1782. Although the Town Hall was festively opened in 1786, the finishing touches were not made until 1789.

The Town Hall of Tartu was built at the time when the style of early Classicism reached the Nordic countries, including Estonia, replacing the earlier styles of Baroque and Rococo. The contest between different styles is also reflected in the Town Hall of Tartu.

The three-storeyed building with a high hip-roof and a ridge tower, follows the traditions of Baroque urban palaces in the Netherlands. The Town Hall of Narva, built in the 17th century, was inspired by the same example.

The tower of the Town Hall of Tartu, which was completed in 1784, is in the Baroque style and it is accompanied by the Rococo cartouche on the tympanum of the main façade. In the design of the walls, especially the interior walls, the Neo-Classicist style, being most fashionable at the time, prevailed.

The Town Hall had to perform several functions simultaneously and for this reason its planning was extremely economical. In the vaulted cellar and on the ground floor of the left wing there was a prison, together with the room for its guards. In the right wing – where a pharmacy has been open since 1922 – there was the city board of weights and measures.

To make access for the cart-loads possible to the public scales, there were gates in the back and side façades which, after being walled-up, are still noticeable.

The rooms for the Town Council were on the two upper floors which could be reached via the stairs directly at the main entrance of the building.

A traditional spacious foyer was not built because of the lack of space. On the first floor, there was a long corridor with court rooms and the Mayor’s office on either side. The most ceremonial room is the Hall of the Town Council, located on the second floor of the right wing. The Hall is decorated with rich yet unrefined stucco ornaments made in Walter’s workshop.

During its existence, the Town Hall has undergone several changes. The ground floor was fully rebuilt. In addition to the pharmacy, there were also temporary rooms for a bank. Smaller changes were undertaken on the first floor. Despite these alterations, the Town Hall has preserved its historical shape.

The Town Council and the Government continue to work in the Town Hall of Tartu, underscoring the idea that Tartu is a town of traditions.

  • The coat of arms of Tartu is based on the medieval seal of Tartu. The key and the sword above the gates are the attributes of the Bishopric of Tartu and Tartu’s guardian saints, Peter and Paul.
  • In the 16th century, Southern Estonia was ruled by the Poles. In 1584 Stefan Báthory, the King of Poland, granted Tartu its flag.

Tartu Town Hall

Last changed 07.12.2020

June 2025

Everyday program

  •   9 am:  Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
  • 12 pm:  Georg Riedel "Idas Sommarvisa"
  • 3 pm:  Martini il Tedesco "Plaisir d`Amour"
  • 6 pm:  Toomas Voll "Värvilised unistused" / "Colorful Dreams"
  • 9 pm:  Merle Kollom`s fantasy about the Estonian lullaby "Viire takka" / "From Behind the Horizon"

Special program:

1 June - International Day for Protection of Children

  • 9 am:  Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
  • 12 pm:  A medley of children's songs: August Kiiss' "My Home", Estonian folk game "Who's in the Garden" 
  • 3 pm:  A medley of children's songs: August Kiiss' "My Home", Estonian folk game "Who's in the Garden"
  • 6 pm:  A medley of children's songs: August Kiiss' "My Home", Estonian folk game "Who's in the Garden"
  • 9 pm:  A medley of children's songs: August Kiiss' "My Home", Estonian folk game "Who's in the Garden"
  • 4 June - 141th  Anniversary of the Estonian Flag
     
  •    9 am: Enn Võrk "Eesti lipp" / "Estonian Flag Song"
  • 12 pm:  Enn Võrk "Eesti lipp" / "Estonian Flag Song"
  • 3 pm:  Enn Võrk "Eesti lipp" / "Estonian Flag Song"
  • 6 pm:  Enn Võrk "Eesti lipp" / "Estonian Flag Song"
  • 9 pm:  Enn Võrk "Eesti lipp" / "Estonian Flag Song"

14 June - Remembrance Day for Deportation Victims

  • 9 am:  Juhan Aavik "Hoia, Jumal, Eestit" / "God, Protect Estonia"
  • 12 pm:  René Eespere "Ärkamise aeg" / "The Era of Awakening"
  • 3 pm:  Miina Härma "Ei saa mitte vaiki olla" / "I Can´t Be Silent"
  • 6 pm:  René Eespere "Ärkamise aeg" / "The Era of Awakening"
  • 9 pm:  Gustav Ernesaks " Mu isamaa on minu arm" / "My Fatherland is My Love"

June 15 Lightning a Song Festival Fire

  • 9 am:  Ülo Vinter "Laul põhjamaast" / "Nordic Land"
  • 12 pm:  Miina Härma "Ei saa mitte vaiki olla" / "I Can´t Be Silent"
  • 3 pm:  Peep Sarapik "Ta lendab mesipuu poole" / "Flying Towards the Hive"
  • 6 pm:  René Eespere "Ärkamise aeg" / "The Era of Awakening"
  • 9 pm:  Ülo Vinter "Laul põhjamaast" / "Nordic Land"
  • June 19 -  Estonian National Anthem Day
     
  •   9 am:  Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
  • 12 pm:  Fredrik Pacius  National Anthem on Estonia "My Fatherland My Joy and Happiness"
  • 3 pm:  Rudolf Tobias "Eks teie tea" / "Know Ye Not"
  • 6 pm:  Rudolf Tobias "Eks teie tea" / "Know Ye Not"
  • 9 pm:  Fredrik Pacius  National Anthem on Estonia "My Fatherland My Joy and Happiness"

June 23 -  Victory Day

  •   9 am:  Juhan Aavik "Hoia, Jumal, Eestit" / "God, Protect Estonia"
  • 12 pm:  Peep Sarapik "Ta lendab mesipuu poole" / "Flying Towards the Hive"
  • 3 pm:  German Folk Song "My Dear Fatherland"
  • 6 pm:  Karl August Hermann/ Alo Mattiisen "Eestlane olen ja eestlaseks jään" / "I Am Estonian and I Will Remain Estonian"
  • 9 pm:  Gustav Ernesaks " Mu isamaa on minu arm" / "My Fatherland is My Love

June 24 -  Midsummer Day

  •   9 am:  Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
  • 12 pm:  Karl August Hermann "Kungla rahvas" / " Kungla`s People"
  • 3 pm:  Karl August Hermann "Kungla rahvas" / " Kungla`s People"
  • 6 pm:  Karl August Hermann "Kungla rahvas" / " Kungla`s People"
  • 9 pm:  Karl August Hermann "Kungla rahvas" / " Kungla`s People"

    June 29 -  Tartu City Day
     
  •   9 am:  Raimond Valgre "Tartu marss" / "Tartu March"
  • 12 pm:  Andres Kõpper / Cliffor Goilo "Young Blood City"
  • 3 pm:  Raimond Valgre "Tartu marss" / "Tartu March"
  • 6 pm:  Andres Kõpper / Cliffor Goilo "Young Blood City"
  • 9 pm:  Raimond Valgre "Tartu marss" / "Tartu March"

 

Photo: Kalle Paalits
Photo: Kalle Paalits

Last changed 29.05.2025

The Carillon of Tartu Town Hall

Since Christmas 2001, both locals and visitors have been enjoying the chimes of  the Town Hall, which until October 2016, were performed on 18 bells manufactured in the Karlsruhe Bell Factory. To mark the 15th anniversary of the carillon, 16 new bells were cast by one of the world’s most reputable bell-makers – the Royal Eijsbouts Belfry in the Netherlands – to complement the 18 existing bells. The smallest of the bells weighs 8 kg, the largest 96 kg.

To achieve the best harmony of the bells, the 18 old bells were returned to the Karlsuhe Bell Factory for restoration.  

The new carillon of Tartu Town Hall was opened with a show of beautiful music, fire and dance on the 28th October 2016.

With 34 bells, the carillon in Tartu is now internationally recognised as the biggest in Estonia. The new carillon makes it possible to offer more exciting musical experiences. The chimes have become one of the favourite attractions of tourists from around the world, and enhanced bell-ringing options are sure to bring more townspeople to the Town Hall Square to enjoy these beautiful sounds.

The production, delivery and installation of the 16 new bells cost €55,000  and tuning the 18 old bells required an additional €15,000. Private persons and companies donated €39,718 for the carillon during a fund-raising campaign.

Tartu is grateful to everyone who contributed to the beautiful bells of the city!

For further information, please contact: Carillon Project Manager, Merle Kollom, telephone: +372 521 6996.

Last changed 02.06.2025

Summer concerts are taken place from June to August on every Friday 8 pm 

6 June
Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
Léo Delibes "Waltz de Coppelia“ from the ballet „ Coppelia“
Camille Saint-Saëns „The Swan“ from the suite "Carnival of the Animals"
Arne Oit „Mis värvi on armastus“ / "What Colour is Love?"

13 June
George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore „Can't Help Falling in Love”
Robert Jürjendal „"A Ballad to the Heavenly Mary"
Norweigen folk tune "Styggen på låven"
Martini il Tedesco „Plaisir d`Amour“ 

20 June
Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
Anton Rubinstein „Melody“
René Eespere „Ärkamise aeg“ / "The Era of Aweking"
Harold Arlen "Vikerkaar“ / "The Rainbow"

27 June
Mark Peterson "Reverie"
Bent Fabricius-Bjerre „Matador“
Tõnis Leemets „Võtkem Tartu rütmid“ / "Let's Take the Rhythms of Tartu"
Ludvig van Beethoven „Ode to Joy“

4 July
Matis Leima „Vihmane Tartu“ / "Rainy Tartu"
Carl Michael Bellman "Liksom en  herdinna"
Pjotr Tšaikovski „Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy“ from the ballet „The Nutcracker“
Finland anon. "Letkis Jenkka"

11 July
Mark Peterson "Reverie"
Martini il Tedesco „Plaisir d`Amour“
Bent Fabricius-Bjerre „Matador“
Léo Delibes „Waltz de Coppelia“ from the ballet „ Coppelia“

18 July
Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
Franz Liszt „Liebestraum“
Johann Sebastian Bach „Menuet“
Arne Oit „Mis värvi on armastus“ / "What Colour is Love"

25 July
Viktoria Grahv „Improvisatsioon mängutoosis“ / "Improvisation in a Toy Box"
Ludvig van Beethoven „Ode to Joy“
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov „Chanson Hindoue“  / "Song of India"  from the opera  „Sadko“
Finland anon. "Letkis Jenkka"

1 August
Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
Raimonds Pauls „Manai Dzimtenei“
Carl Michael Bellman "Liksom en herdinna"
Anton Rubinstein „Melody“

8 August
Robert Jürjendal / Uku Jürjendal „The Canon“
Johann Abraham Peter Schulz „Der Mond ist aufgegangen“
Léo Delibes „Waltz de Coppelia“ from the ballet „ Coppelia“

15 August
Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
Georg Riedel „Idas Sommarvisa“
Harold Arlen "Vikerkaar“ / "The Rainbow"
George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore „Can't Help Falling in Love”

22 August
Bent Fabricius-Bjerre „Matador“
René Eespere „Ärkamise aeg“ / "The Era of Aweking"
Toomas Voll „Värvilised unistused“ / "Colorful Dreams"
Karl August Hermann „Kungla rahvas“ / "People of Kungla"

29 August
Olav Ehala "Tartu kellad" / "Bells of Tartu"
Norweigen folk tune "Styggen på låven"
Arne Oit „Mis värvi on armastus“ / "What Colour is Love"
George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore „Can't Help Falling in Love”

Last changed 28.05.2025