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Estonia’s second city, Tartu, is located in the interior of the country, not far from the Russian border. Tartu is an ancient city of medieval origin, it was an important commercial center, known by the German name of Dorpat, which was part of the Hanseatic League from the XIII century, in the XVII century the famous university was founded there. The current city is mainly made up of buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, the central square is that of the Town Hall (Raekoja Plats), among the most interesting buildings the old Lutheran church of Johanneskirche (Jaani Kirik), the 18th century Town Hall and the university building.
The tradition of the Christmas tree is ancient, it even seems that the first Christmas tree was “invented” in Estonia, and precisely in Tallinn. Christmas trees in Estonian homes are decorated with lights and ornaments and are set up on December 21st and dismantled on January 6th.
TARTU CHRISTMAS MARKET
1) Tartu Christmas Market (Jõululinn Tartu jõuluturg). The Tartu market usually takes place in the central Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats), it is a traditional Estonian market with local handicrafts and a large Christmas tree in front of the town hall.