Saturday, December 9, 2017

Tallinn 7. Some Great Museums to Visit in Kalamaja District

On Thursday, after spending time at Linnahall and walking via Patarei Prison (separate post), I visited some of the many Museums in this part of the city.
1. Seaplane Museum. The museum is located in a building originally constructed as a hangar for seaplanes in 1916–1917. The building is remarkable for its unsupported span comprising three concrete shells supported by pillars at the corners and joints. The hall was put out of service during the Soviet era but has been rennovated and opened in 2012. Two images from the web to show the exterior of the buiding before and after repair.
 

2. Estonian Museum of Architecture. The museum is located in Rotermann salt storage building that is over 100 years old and one of the most remarkable examples of industrial architecture in Tallinn. There are four floors of exhibits all interesting both for the exhibits and the architecture itself


3. Energy Discovery Centre. The Energy Discovery Centre is located  in the old Tallinn Power Plant, where using oil shale for energy, electricity for the public network first started in the early 20th century.  The plant had three buildings: the machine house (now the Energy Discovery Centre), the boiler house (now the Tallinn Creative Hub), and the office building (now houses a hostel). The plant operated until 1979. The former turbines and generators are displayed in the main hall of the Discovery Centre alongside the overhead travelling crane produced by AS Ilmarine in 1929, which could lift as much as 25 tons. Some of the original floor from the 1930s has been preserved. The star exhibits of the exhibition are the Tesla coils in the Faraday cage and the Van de Graaff generator, which are used for the daily lightning and static electricity demonstrations.

4.Tallin Creative Club. See above - now used for artists workshops and Exhibitions.


Tallinn 6. Style in All things

As you would expect with Finland as its close neighbour, the design of all new buildings or refits are stylish (and HiTech) including the toilets. Even the signs are modern though need a confirmational second look


Tallinn 5. Linnahall Details (Concrete Appreciation II)

When you compare Linnahall with London's Royal  Festival Hall built in 1951, it is hard to believe that this complex was built in the 19080s as it has deteriorated so far. Some offices in the administration block are occupied, but mainly it is home to some very impressive graffitti, crumbling brick and concrete and stylish iron work gates, 

Friday, December 8, 2017

Tallinn 4. Linnahall - Concrete Appreciation Supreme (I)

The 22nd Summer Olympic Games were hosted in Moscow in 1980 and, as they had no venue suitable in Moscow, Tallinn was chosen as the water sports centre. The massive, 5,000 seat amphitheater was commissioned by the Soviet Union and showed the world their mastery over concrete-pouring! However,  after the Olympics, Estonia could not find a suitable regular use for the Hall and the poorly finished concrete is crumbling. The concert hall was last used in 2010. The city searched for investors from 2009-2015 and in 2015 Tallinn city council decided to renovate Linnahall; plans are expected to be finalized in 2017 with renovation and construction planned for 2018-2019. So this may be the last time the exterior can be explored, which was one reason I was keen to come to Tallinn at this time. 
Here some wide angle views - some details will follow in a second post.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Tallinn 3. As Dusk Arrived on the First Day

Sunset is c. 15.30 in Tallinn  (sunrise c. 9am) so not much time in the afternoon before we got to my favourite time to photograph.The Christmas Market and the nearby streets were wonderful venues to take some shots plus a couple of church interiors (the vertical one is an 'over-the-head' panorama). Also couldn't resist a window shot of an incredible book/junk shop






Ann Miles Photography - My Favourite Images of the Past10 years or so