Tartu is the oldest city in Estonia. It is first mentioned in ancient chronicles in 1030. Its historical names include: Tarbatu, Jurjev, Dorpat. The second largest city in Estonia is situated on the picturesque banks of the river Emajõgi. Thanks to the river and the location at the crossroads of trading routes Tartu was an important Hanseatic town in the 13th-15th centuries linking Western Europe with Novgorod. Unfortunately wars and fires have destroyed medieval Tartu. Tourist attractions of Tartu today are the classical buildings from the 18th-19th centuries, districts with unique wooden architecture, the Dome Hill and the river Emajõgi.

Facts About Tartu

Area: 38,8 sq km
Population (01.01.2004): 100 482
Ethnic composition (01.01.2004): 79% Estonians, 17% Russians, 4% other.
Higher schools: 12
The number of students (01.01.2004): 21 879

The University of Tartu

The University of Tartu (UT) is the oldest and largest university in Estonia founded in 1632 by the Swedish king Gustavus II Adolphus. The current number of UT students is 17,500 that makes almost 1/3 of all students in Estonia. The student body includes about 500 international students from around 35 countries. With its 11 faculties, UT is the only classical University in Estonia. UT is also the only university in the Baltics that is a member of the Coimbra group uniting long-standing, versatile and internationally recognised research universities.

There are many University facilities and establishments that support students' and faculty members' studies and research. These include three museums, the University Library with its five million books, the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Baltics, and the University Academic Sports Club with its more than 1000 members.