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The central Tartu Town Hall Square is surrounded by buildings built in the classical style. Since 1998 the square is decorated by the "Kissing Students" fountain. Throughout centuries the centre of town activity has been Town Hall Square, the history of which goes back to ancient times. At that time the market place was the square lying between the fortress on Toome Hill and the harbour on the banks of the Emajõgi River. This tradition persisted for centuries.
The Town Hall of Tartu is located in the Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) edge. The current Town Hall is the third one on the same site. It is designed by Johann Heinrich Bartholomäus Walter from Rostock, Germany. The construction started in 1782 and was finally completed in 1789. The opening ceremony was held, however, already in 1786. The building represents the most earliest classicism style, but there are also features of Baroque and Rococo styles.
Reference: Tartu Tourism Information
The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.