Town Hall Square in Tartu

Town Hall Square is the trapeze-shaped central square of Tartu: It is surrounded by buildings in classicist style. The current town hall, on the edge of the square, is the third building to inhabit the space and was erected in 1775 following a huge fire.

The most important market in the city – der Grosse Markt or the 'Big Market' – was situated on the square in the 18th century. Since 1998 it has been adorned by the fountain known as the 'Kissing Students'. The square often hosts fairs and concerts, while in August it is the venue of the Tartuff festival of love films.

Did you know...?
*At 12:00, 18:00 and 21:00 each day bells ring out from the tower of the Town Hall. Its 18 bells were manufactured in the Karlsruhe factory in Germany.