Chronological history of Tartu
The city of Tartu, then being an Estonian settlement called Tarpatu, was first mentioned in historic documents in 1030. That year, the Grand Duke Yaroslaw of Kiev had destroyed the wooden fortification, built by local inhabitants, established a stone fortress and named it Yuryev.
- Contemporary image of Tartu from 1866.
In 1215, Tarpatu was conquered by the Livonian Order and renamed Dorpat (which is the German name for Tartu). A few years later (1224), the city became the residence of the Bishop and after 1280, a member of the Hanseatic League because of its good position as an important connecting link between Reval and the north western parts of Russia.
During the Livonian War (1558 – 1583), Dorpat became the Russian territory first, but by the end of the war, it was ruled by Lithuania and Poland. It was the beginning of the constant changing of rulers, which was typical for the whole country.
In 1625, Dorpat was conquered by the Swedish troops. The beginning of a short period of prosperity for Tartu. On 30 June 1632, King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden signed the Foundation Decree of Academia Dorpatensis which marks the beginning of the university's distinguished history.
- Great attraction: The Tartu Hansa Days.
After more bloody battles, in 1721, Dorpat fell under the Russian rule again, only being released by the Estonian declaration of independence in 1918. Then, the town was officially named Tartu.
From 1944, onwards Estonia was integrated into the Soviet empire whereupon Tartu became the most important air base in the whole Baltic area during the Cold War. When the Warsaw Pact collapsed in 1990, Tartu and the rural surroundings in south east Estonia were open for foreign visitors again.
- Next topic: Tartu University
