Tartu

{{Short description|Second most populous city in Estonia}} {{Other uses|Tartu (disambiguation)}} {{Redirect|Dorpat|other uses|Dorpat (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Tartu | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = {{multiple image |border = infobox |total_width = 280 |image_style = border:1; |perrow = 1/2/2/ |image1 = Tartu (2019).jpg |caption1 = View of Tartu and the Emajõgi River |image2 = Tartu asv2022-04 img32 View from Emajõe Tower.jpg |caption2 = St. John's Church |image3 = Eesti Rahva Muuseumi peahoone 13.jpg |caption3 = Estonian National Museum |image4 = Tartu Ülikooli peahoone 2012.jpg |caption4 = University of Tartu |image5 = Tartu Raekoja platsi vaade.jpg |caption5 = Town Hall Square }} | nickname = Capital of Southern Estonia<ref name="visitsouthestonia">{{cite web |url=https://visitsouthestonia.com/en/destinations/tartu-city/ |title=Tartu city |publisher=Visit South Estonia |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224095624/https://visitsouthestonia.com/en/destinations/tartu-city/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ecb">{{cite web |url=https://www.ecb.ee/destination/tartu/ |title=Tartu – European Capital of Culture 2024 |publisher=Estonian Convention Bureau (ECB) |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224095619/https://www.ecb.ee/destination/tartu/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | blank_emblem_type = Brandmark | motto = {{force singular}} ''Heade mõtete linn'' ("City of good ideas.") | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | mapframe-wikidata = yes | mapframe-point = none | mapsize = | map_caption = Interactive map | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Europe##Location within Baltic Sea region##Location within Estonia | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_map = Europe#Baltic Sea#Estonia | coordinates = {{Coord|region:EE_type:city|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Estonia | subdivision_type1 = County | subdivision_name1 = Tartu | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = Tartu | established_title = First settled | established_date = 5th century AD | established_title1 = First mentioned | established_date1 = {{circa|1030}} | established_title2 = City rights | established_date2 = before 1262 | named_for = | total_type = | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 38.80 | area_total_sq_mi = 15 | area_land_km2 = 37.9 | area_land_sq_mi = 14.6 | area_water_km2 = 1.3 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.5 | area_water_percent = 3.39 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 57.2 | elevation_ft = 188 | elevation_max_m = 79 | elevation_max_ft = 259 | population_total = 97304 | population_metro = 164,460 <ref name="FUA,Euro">{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/URB_LPOP1/default/table?lang=en&category=urb.urb_luz}}</ref> | population_rank = 2nd | population_as_of = 2025 | population_footnotes = <ref name="RV0240">Population of Tartu city as a settlement unit, excluding population of other settlement units of the municipality of Tartu city. [https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/RV0240 Population by sex, age and place of residence after the 2017 administrative reform, 1 January] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714064911/https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/RV0240 |date=14 July 2021 }}. Statistics Estonia.</ref> | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = auto | demographics_type2 = Ethnicity | demographics2_footnotes = | demographics2_title1 = Estonians | demographics2_info1 = 80.3% | demographics2_title2 = Russians | demographics2_info2 = 13.4% | demographics2_title3 = other | demographics2_info3 = 5.3% | population_demonym = {{lang|et|tartlane}} (Estonian) | demographics_type1 = GDP | demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/pxweb/en/stat/stat__majandus__rahvamajanduse-arvepidamine__sisemajanduse-koguprodukt-(skp)__regionaalne-sisemajanduse-koguprodukt/RAA0050.px/ |title=GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY COUNTY |website=stat.ee}}</ref> | demographics1_title1 = Total | demographics1_info1 = €3.247 billion (2023) | demographics1_title2 = Per capita | demographics1_info2 = €32,183 (2023) | timezone = EET | utc_offset = +02:00 | timezone_DST = EEST | utc_offset_DST = +03:00 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 50050 to 51111 | registration_plate = | website = [https://tartu.ee/en City of Tartu] }} '''Tartu'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɑː|ɹ|t|u}} {{respell|TAR|too}}, {{IPA|et|ˈtɑrtˑu}}, South Estonian: ''Tarto'', historically in German and Swedish: ''Dorpat''}} is the second largest city in Estonia after Tallinn. Tartu has a population of 97,304 (as of 2025).<ref name="RV0240"/> It is {{convert|186|km|0|abbr=off}} southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of Riga, Latvia. Tartu lies on the Emajõgi river, which connects the two largest lakes in Estonia, Lake Võrtsjärv and Lake Peipus. From the 13th century until the end of the 19th century, Tartu was known in most of the world by variants of its historical name '''Dorpat'''. [[File:Aerial view of Toomemägi, toomkirik and Tartu downtown.webm|thumb|Aerial view of Toomemägi, Tartu cathedral and Tartu downtown]]

Tartu, the largest urban centre of southern Estonia, is often considered the "intellectual capital city" of the country,<ref name="visitsouthestonia"/><ref name="ecb"/><ref>[http://www.estlandia.de/en/tourism-estonia/cities/tartu.html Tartu – the intellectual centre of Estonia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219182835/http://www.estlandia.de/en/tourism-estonia/cities/tartu.html |date=19 February 2020 }} estlandia.de</ref><ref>Jonathan Bousfield ''The Rough Guide to Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania''. Rough Guides UK. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hXu0BgAAQBAJ&dq=tartu%20intellectual%20centre%20of%20estonia&pg=PA126 Page 126] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510010942/https://books.google.com/books?id=hXu0BgAAQBAJ&dq=tartu%20intellectual%20centre%20of%20estonia&pg=PA126 |date=10 May 2023 }}</ref><ref>Sergey Chernov. [https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/tartu-estonias-intellectual-and-theater-capital-20396 Tartu: Estonia's Intellectual and Theater Capital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023200227/https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/tartu-estonias-intellectual-and-theater-capital-20396 |date=23 October 2018 }} The Moscow Times, 24 December 2012</ref> especially as it is home to the nation's oldest and most renowned university, the University of Tartu (founded in 1632).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://visittartu.com/why-tartu |title=Why Tartu?{{!}}Visit Tartu |access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513203331/https://visittartu.com/why-tartu |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>M. Mets & R. Raudsepp: Baltic Piling. CRC Press, 2013. {{ISBN|9780415643344}}.</ref> Tartu also houses the Supreme Court of Estonia, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Estonian National Museum, and the oldest Estonian-language theatre, Vanemuine. It is also the birthplace of the Estonian Song Festivals.

Tartu was designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2024.<ref name="ecb"/><ref>[https://www.kul.ee/en/ministry-news-and-contact/international-cooperation-and-european-union/european-capital-culture European Capital of Culture 2024] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906181814/https://www.kul.ee/en/ministry-news-and-contact/international-cooperation-and-european-union/european-capital-culture |date=6 September 2023 }} — Ministry of Culture</ref><ref>[https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/tartu-european-capital-of-culture-2024 Tartu – European Capital of Culture 2024] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019073122/https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/tartu-european-capital-of-culture-2024 |date=19 October 2021 }} – Visit Estonia</ref><ref>[https://tartu.ee/en/tartu-european-capital-of-culture-2024 Tartu – European Capital of Culture 2024] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019073121/https://tartu.ee/en/tartu-european-capital-of-culture-2024 |date=19 October 2021 }} – Tartu.ee</ref>

== Names and etymology == {{see also|Names of Tartu in different languages}} It is thought that the name derives from the word for aurochs, ''tarvas''.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.54013/kk762a4 |title=Kas linnuse rajajalt või tarvalt? Veel kord Tartu nime päritolust |date=2021 |last1=Ernits |first1=Enn |journal=Keel ja Kirjandus |volume=64 |issue=6 |pages=532–546}}</ref> Since Estonia became an independent country in 1918, the Estonian-language ''Tartu'' ({{IPA|et|ˈtɑrtˑu}}), alternative South Estonian spelling: ''Tarto'') has been the only name in official use but throughout its history there have also been various names for it in other languages. Most of them derive ultimately from the earliest attested form, the Estonian ''Tarbatu''. In German, Swedish and Polish the town has been known, and up until the 20th century was sometimes referred to, as {{Audio|De-Dorpat.ogg|''Dorpat''}}, a variant of ''Tarbatu''. In Russian the city has been known as {{lang|ru|Юрьев}} (''Yur′yev'', after Yuri, the baptismal name of grand prince Yaroslav I the Wise) and as {{lang|ru|Дерпт}} (''Derpt'', from the Low German variant of ''Dorpat''). Similarly the city has been known as ''Tērbata'' in Latvian, and Finnish speakers use the toponym ''Tartto''. Tartu lies on the Emajõgi River, whose name literally means 'mother river' in Estonian. In Latvian, the name of Emajõgi river is Mētra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mētra {{!}} Tēzaurs |url=https://tezaurs.lv/M%C4%93tra:1 |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=tezaurs.lv}}</ref> Therefore, Tartu's historical unofficial name in Latvian is Mētraine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mētraine {{!}} Tēzaurs |url=https://tezaurs.lv/M%C4%93traine |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=tezaurs.lv}}</ref> Historically, Tartu was the main center for Latvian academic education, which is the reason why the name of the city used to be Latvianized.

== History == {|class="wikitable" style="min-width:300px" |- |{{Collapsible list |title=Historical affiliations |bullets=true |Ugandi County pre-1030 |{{flagicon image|Yarthewise.png}} Kievan Rus' circa 1030–1061? |Ugandi County 1061?–1220 |{{flagicon image|Zakon Kawalerów Mieczowych COA.svg}} Livonian Brothers of the Sword 1220–1223 |Ugandi County 1223–1224 |{{flagicon image|Tartu coat of arms.svg}} Bishopric of Dorpat 1224–1558 |{{flagicon image|Great banner of Ivan IV of Russia.jpg}} Tsardom of Russia 1558–1582 |{{flagicon image|Chorągiew królewska króla Zygmunta III Wazy.svg}} Duchy of Livonia (Poland–Lithuania) 1582–1600 |{{flagicon image|Flag of Sweden (1562–1650).svg}} Kingdom of Sweden 1600–1603 |{{flagicon image|Chorągiew królewska króla Zygmunta III Wazy.svg}} Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth 1603–1625 |{{flagicon image|Flag of Sweden (1562–1650).svg}} Kingdom of Sweden 1625–1656 |{{flagicon image|Flag of Oryol (variant).svg}} Tsardom of Russia 1656–1661 |{{flagicon image|Flag of Sweden (1562–1650).svg}} Kingdom of Sweden 1661–1704 |{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg}} Tsardom of Russia (Muscovy) 1704–1721 |{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg}} Russian Empire 1721–1917 |{{flag|Russian Republic}} 1917 |{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia (1918).svg}} Russian Soviet Republic 1917–1918 |{{flag|Republic of Estonia}} 1918 |{{flagicon|German Empire}} German occupation 1918 |{{flag|Republic of Estonia}} 1918 |{{flagicon image|Flag of the Commune of the Working People of Estonia.svg}} Commune of the Working People of Estonia 1918–1919 |{{flag|Republic of Estonia}} 1919–1940 |{{flagicon|Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|1936}} Soviet Union 1940–1941 |{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} German occupation 1941–1944 |{{flagicon|Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|1936}} Soviet Union 1944–1990 |{{flag|Republic of Estonia}} (in transition) 1990–1991 |{{flag|Republic of Estonia}} 1991–onwards }} |}

=== Beginnings === Archaeological evidence of the first permanent settlement on the site of modern Tartu dates to as early as the 5th century AD.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/583793/Tartu |title=Tartu |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114339/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/583793/Tartu |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mäesalu">{{cite web |url=http://www.sirp.ee/archive/2001/12.10.01/Sots/sots1-6.html |title=Vene kroonikate Jurjev oli tõenäoliselt siiski Tartu |first=Ain |last=Mäesalu |publisher=Sirp |date=12 October 2001 |language=et |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123111414/https://www.sirp.ee/archive/2001/12.10.01/Sots/sots1-6.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By the 7th century, local inhabitants had built a wooden fortification on the east side of Toome Hill (''Toomemägi'').<ref name="Mäesalu"/> Over the next centuries the settlement grew, and around 9th–10th centuries became an inland trading center.<ref name="Mäesalu2005">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/3544313 |last1=Mäesalu |first1=Ain |last2=Vissak |first2=Rünno |editor-last=Pullerits |editor-first=Heivi |title=Tartu. Ajalugu ja kultuurilugu |publisher=Ilmamaa |date=2005 |pages=16–18 |chapter=Muinas- ja keskaeg |isbn=9789949131525 |language=et |access-date=13 January 2020 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314005802/https://www.academia.edu/3544313 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The first documented records of the area were made by later mediaeval chroniclers who described the events of early-11th-century Kievan Rus'. According to the ''Primary Chronicle'' (PVL) and ''Sofia First Chronicle'' (SPL), Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Prince of Kiev, invaded the region of Tartu in {{circa}} 1030, and after defeating the ''Chud{{'}}'', built his own fort there, and named it ''Yuryev''.<ref name="Mäesalu"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Tvauri |first1=Andres |title=The Migration Period, Pre-Viking Age, and Viking Age in Estonia |date=2012 |pages=33, 59, 60 |url=https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Publications/Display/b80b6f11-43ed-4b8c-b616-48ac53b70ec5?language=ENG |access-date=27 December 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023182212/https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Publications/Display/b80b6f11-43ed-4b8c-b616-48ac53b70ec5?language=ENG |url-status=live}}</ref> Tartu may have remained under Kievan Rus' control until 1061, when, according to the SPL, the ''Yuryev'' fort was burned down by ''Sosols''{{sfn|Tvauri|2012|p=34}} (probably Oeselians, Sackalians, or another Estonian tribe).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mäesalu |first1=Ain |title=Could Kedipiv in East-Slavonic Chronicles be Keava hill fort? |journal=Estonian Journal of Archaeology |date=2012 |volume=1 |issue=16supplser |page=199 |url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/Archaeology/2012/sup_vol_1/arhe-keava-2012-195-200.pdf |doi=10.3176/arch.2012.supv1.11 |access-date=13 January 2020 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014085144/http://www.kirj.ee/public/Archaeology/2012/sup_vol_1/arhe-keava-2012-195-200.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Soon afterwards the fort was rebuilt by locals. In the 12th century, local Ungannians on one side and troops from the neighbouring Novgorod Republic on the other side repeatedly raided each other. In those campaigns, the invaders were reportedly able to capture Tartu in 1133 or 1134, and in the winter of 1191–1192, however these temporary captures are not known to have brought any lasting territorial changes.<ref name="Mäesalu2005"/>

=== Medieval bishopric === thumb|left|The city of Tartu in 1533 {{multiple image | direction = vertical | footer = Tartu Cathedral ruins | image1 = Tartu Toomkirik - panoramio (1).jpg | image2 = Tartu Toomkiriku varemed 2012.jpg }}

During the period of Northern Crusades in the beginning of the 13th century the fort of ''Tarbatu'' (or ''Tharbata'') was captured by the crusading Teutonic knights — also known as the Brothers of the Sword  — and recaptured by Estonians on several occasions. In 1224, after  the princes of Novgorod and Pskov had sent additional troops led by prince Vyachko of Kukenois to aid the Estonian defenders of the fort, it was besieged and conquered for one last time by the Teutonic crusaders.<ref>Anti Selart, Ivar Leimus, Linda Kaljundi, Heiki Valk. ''Ristiretked ja vallutussõjad 13. sajandi Liivimaal'', in "Eesti ajalugu II. Eesti keskaeg." Editor Anti Selart. Tartu 2012. Pp. 52—53</ref> Subsequently, known as Dorpat (Latin: ''Tarbatum''), Tartu became a commercial centre of considerable importance during the later Middle Ages and the capital of the semi-independent Bishopric of Dorpat.

In 1262 the army of prince Dmitri of Pereslavl launched an assault on Dorpat, capturing and destroying the town. His troops did not manage to capture the bishop's fortress on Toome Hill. The event was recorded both in subsequent German and Old East Slavic chronicles, which also provided the first record of a settlement of German merchants and artisans which had arisen alongside the bishop's fortress.

In medieval times, after the Livonian Order was subsumed into the Teutonic Knights in 1236, the town became an important trading city. In the 1280s Dorpat joined the Hanseatic League.

=== Polish-Lithuanian and Swedish rule === {{See also|Treaty of Dorpat}} thumb|left|University of Tartu main building in 1860 In 1558, tsar Ivan the Terrible invaded Tartu beginning the Livonian War. Forces under the command of Pyotr Shuiski encircled the town and began the heavy bombardment. In light of this and without any prospect of external help the town surrendered. The local bishop was imprisoned in Moscow, which effectively ended the period of local self-government. Ivan Mikhailovich Viskovatyi, a leading diplomat and archivist of diplomatic records during Ivan the Terrible's reign, argued that Tartu's "founding" by Ancient Rus' justified Russia's contemporary territorial claims to the region.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bobrick |first1=Benson |title=Fearful Majesty: The Life and Reign of Ivan the Terrible |publisher=Putnam |pages=169}}</ref> In the effect of the Truce of Jam Zapolski of 1582, the city along with southern regions of Livonian Confederation became part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1598 it became the capital of the Dorpat Voivodeship of the Duchy of Livonia. A Jesuit grammar school "Gymnasium Dorpatense" was established in 1583. In addition, a translators' seminary was organized in Tartu and the city received its red and white flag from the Polish king Stephen Báthory.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

The activities of both the grammar school and the seminary were stopped by the Polish–Swedish War. Already in late 1600 the forces of Charles IX of Sweden besieged the city defended by three banners of reiters and the city's burghers. Despite repeated assaults, the Swedes could not enter the city. Finally in 1601 Capt. Hermann Wrangel switched sides, assaulted the castellan and opened the gates for the Swedish forces. The town was retaken by Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth on 13 April 1603 following a brief siege led by hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz; roughly 1000 Swedish soldiers surrendered and were escorted to Tallinn.

In the effect of yet another Polish-Swedish War, in 1625 Tartu was once again captured by Sweden, this time for good. In the effect of the 1629 Truce of Altmark the city became part of the Dominions of Sweden, which led to the foundation of the University of Tartu in 1632 by king Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.

=== Imperial Russia === left|thumb|The Stone Bridge and the Old Town in 1860

In 1704 the town was taken by the Russian army in the presence of Tsar Peter the Great himself. As a result, around a quarter of the town and much of the fortifications were damaged. In 1708 the remainder of the fortifications and houses, including the remains of bishops castle, were blown up, all movable property was looted and all citizens were deported to Russia. With the Treaty of Nystad in 1721, the city became part of the Russian Empire and was known as ''Derpt''. Fires in the 18th century destroyed much of the medieval architecture, the Great Fire of Tartu in 1775 removed most of the buildings in the centre. The city was rebuilt along Late Baroque and Neoclassical lines including the Tartu Town Hall which was built between 1782 and 1789.<ref>[http://www.tartu.ee/?lang_id=2&menu_id=9&page_id=1417 The Town Hall of Tartu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818122354/http://www.tartu.ee/?lang_id=2&menu_id=9&page_id=1417 |date=18 August 2016 }}, tartu.ee, retrieved 27 December 2013</ref> In 1783 the city became the centre of Derpt uyezd within the Governorate of Livonia.

During the second half of the 19th century, Tartu was the cultural centre for Estonians in the era of Romantic nationalism. The city hosted Estonia's first song festival in 1869. ''Vanemuine'', the first national theatre, was established in 1870. Tartu was also the setting for the foundation of the Society of Estonian Literati in 1872. [[File:Tartu Raekoda 2012.jpg|thumb|300px|Tartu Town Hall]] Tartu railway station was opened in 1876 when Tapa–Tartu route was built.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitestonia.com/en/tartu-railway-station |title=Tartu Railway Station |publisher=Visit Estonia |access-date=5 April 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405110451/https://www.visitestonia.com/en/tartu-railway-station |url-status=live}}</ref> The station building was opened in 1877. In the history of tuberculosis, in 1891 The Veterinary College at Dorpat produced seminal research using the Tuberculin test on 1,000 cattle.<ref>''Tuberculosis In European Countries'', The Times, 25 February 1895</ref>

In 1893, the city was officially retitled to the ancient Russian name ''Yuryev''. The university was subsequently russified from 1895 on with the introduction of compulsory Russian in teaching. Much of the university property was relocated to Voronezh in 1918 and during the German occupation, the university worked under the name Landesuniversität Dorpat. During the Estonian War of Independence the university of Tartu was re-opened as an Estonian language university on 1 December 1919.

=== Independent Estonia (1918–1940) ===

With Estonian independence after World War I, the city officially became known by the Estonian name ''Tartu''. At the end of the 1918–1920 Estonian War of Independence following World War I, a peace treaty between the Bolshevik Russia and Estonia was signed on 2 February 1920 in Tartu (Treaty of Tartu). With the treaty, Soviet Russia renounced territorial claims to Estonia "for all time".

In 1920, the peace treaty between Soviet Russia and Finland was also signed in Tartu.

During the interwar period Tähtvere neighbourhood was built, former Raadi Manor buildings started to house Estonian National Museum (destroyed during Tartu Offensive in 1944) and art school Pallas was opened.

=== German and Soviet occupations (1940–1991) === During World War II, the Stalinist Soviet Union invaded and occupied Estonia and Tartu in June 1940. Large parts of the city as well as the historical ''Kivisild'' ("Stone bridge", built in 1776–1778) over the Emajõgi river were destroyed by the retreating Soviet Army, partly in 1941 and almost completely in 1944 by the then retreating German Army. Already heavily damaged, Tartu was repeatedly bombed by the Soviet air forces on 27 January 1943, on 26 February 1944, on 7–8 March 1944, and on 25–26 March 1944. After the war ended, much of the city's historic centre was left in ruins. Even the less damaged buildings in entire city blocks were demolished by the Soviet occupation authorities and large swathes of previously residential areas were turned into parks and parking lots.

After the war, the Soviet authorities declared Tartu a "closed town for foreigners", as an airbase for bombers was constructed on Raadi Airfield, in the northeast outskirts of the city. It was one of the largest military airbases in the former Eastern Bloc and housed strategic bombers carrying nuclear bombs. On one end of an older strip of the runway, the new building of Estonian National Museum was built.

Tartu Airport was opened in the south of the city in 1946. Besides the airport Estonian Aviation Academy was established in 1993. Privately owned Estonian Aviation Museum, which is 5 km to the East of the airport (7 km by car), was opened to the public in 2002.

During the 1944–1991 Soviet occupation the population of Tartu almost doubled from 57,000 to above 100,000 due to mass immigration from Russia and other areas of the former Soviet Union, in large part because of the military airbase. thumb|AHHAA Science Centre with Tigutorn visible in the background

=== Modern era ===  Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991, the old town centre has been renovated. Notably, St. John's Church, in ruins since World War II, has been restored. Many new commercial and business buildings have been erected (''Tartu Kaubamaja'', ''Tasku'', ''Emajõe kaubanduskeskus'', ''Lõunakeskus'', ''Kvartal'', etc.). The highest residential building and local landmark ''Tigutorn'' was opened in 2008.

The AHHAA science centre relocated to a new building in 2011 and the Estonian National Museum's new main building opened in 2016. {{clear}}

== Geography ==

=== Climate === Tartu lies within the temperate humid continental climate zone (Dfb). The climate is rather mild considering the high latitude, largely due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea and warm airflows from the Atlantic. Nevertheless, continental influence can be felt on hot summer days and cold spells in winter, when the temperature can occasionally (but rarely) drop below {{cvt|-30|°C|0}}. Generally, summers are warm and winters are cold.

The Tartu weather station is located in Tõravere village, which is about 20 kilometers from the city, so the actual temperature in the city may be slightly warmer than the official average temperatures. {{Weather box |location = Tartu (Tõravere) normals 1991–2020, extremes 1865–present |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 9.7 |Feb record high C = 10.9 |Mar record high C = 18.4 |Apr record high C = 27.6 |May record high C = 30.9 |Jun record high C = 34.0 |Jul record high C = 34.9 |Aug record high C = 35.2 |Sep record high C = 30.3 |Oct record high C = 21.5 |Nov record high C = 13.8 |Dec record high C = 13.0 |year record high C = 35.2 |Jan high C = -1.8 |Feb high C = -1.6 |Mar high C = 3.3 |Apr high C = 11.1 |May high C = 17.1 |Jun high C = 20.6 |Jul high C = 23.1 |Aug high C = 21.8 |Sep high C = 16.3 |Oct high C = 9.2 |Nov high C = 3.3 |Dec high C = 0.0 |year high C = 10.2 |Jan mean C = −4.1 |Feb mean C = −4.4 |Mar mean C = -0.5 |Apr mean C = 5.9 |May mean C = 11.5 |Jun mean C = 15.5 |Jul mean C = 18.0 |Aug mean C = 16.7 |Sep mean C = 11.8 |Oct mean C = 6.0 |Nov mean C = 1.2 |Dec mean C = -2.1 |year mean C = 6.3 |Jan low C = −6.5 |Feb low C = −7.3 |Mar low C = −4.0 |Apr low C = 1.2 |May low C = 5.8 |Jun low C = 10.3 |Jul low C = 12.9 |Aug low C = 12.0 |Sep low C = 8.0 |Oct low C = 3.3 |Nov low C = -0.8 |Dec low C = -4.2 |year low C = 2.6 |Jan record low C = -37.5 |Feb record low C = -36.0 |Mar record low C = -29.6 |Apr record low C = -19.8 |May record low C = -7.2 |Jun record low C = -2.2 |Jul record low C = 1.8 |Aug record low C = 1.5 |Sep record low C = -6.6 |Oct record low C = -13.8 |Nov record low C = -22.2 |Dec record low C = -38.6 |year record low C = -38.6 |precipitation colour= green |Jan precipitation mm = 48 |Feb precipitation mm = 39 |Mar precipitation mm = 36 |Apr precipitation mm = 35 |May precipitation mm = 54 |Jun precipitation mm = 88 |Jul precipitation mm = 67 |Aug precipitation mm = 79 |Sep precipitation mm = 55 |Oct precipitation mm = 68 |Nov precipitation mm = 55 |Dec precipitation mm = 51 |year precipitation mm = 673 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 12.8 |Feb precipitation days = 9.9 |Mar precipitation days = 9.3 |Apr precipitation days = 8.3 |May precipitation days = 8.5 |Jun precipitation days = 10.7 |Jul precipitation days = 9.5 |Aug precipitation days = 11.2 |Sep precipitation days = 9.8 |Oct precipitation days = 11.9 |Nov precipitation days = 11.3 |Dec precipitation days = 12.4 |year precipitation days = 125.6 |Jan humidity = 88 |Feb humidity = 85 |Mar humidity = 76 |Apr humidity = 68 |May humidity = 65 |Jun humidity = 70 |Jul humidity = 74 |Aug humidity = 77 |Sep humidity = 82 |Oct humidity = 86 |Nov humidity = 89 |Dec humidity = 89 |year humidity = 79 |Jan sun = 33.7 |Feb sun = 65.1 |Mar sun = 140.3 |Apr sun = 190.9 |May sun = 266.0 |Jun sun = 258.0 |Jul sun = 268.7 |Aug sun = 227.6 |Sep sun = 152.1 |Oct sun = 79.3 |Nov sun = 30.0 |Dec sun = 24.3 |year sun = 1735.9 | Jan dew point C = -7 | Feb dew point C = -8 | Mar dew point C = -4 | Apr dew point C = 0 | May dew point C = 6 | Jun dew point C = 10 | Jul dew point C = 13 | Aug dew point C = 13 | Sep dew point C = 9 | Oct dew point C = 4 | Nov dew point C = 1 | Dec dew point C = -3 |source 1 = Estonian Weather Service<ref name=temp>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohutemperatuur/?lang=en |title=Climate normals-Temperature |publisher=Estonian Weather Service |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211222336/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohutemperatuur/?lang=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=precip>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/sademed/?lang=en |title=Climate normals-Precipitation |publisher=Estonian Weather Service |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211222341/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/sademed/?lang=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=humidity>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohuniiskus/?lang=en |title=Climate normals-Humidity |publisher=Estonian Weather Service |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211222402/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohuniiskus/?lang=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=sun>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/paikesepaiste-kestus/?lang=en |title=Climate normals-Sunshine |publisher=Estonian Weather Service |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211222409/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/paikesepaiste-kestus/?lang=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=extremes>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/rekordid/ohutemperatuur/ |title=Rekordid |language=Estonian |publisher=Estonian Weather Service |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=17 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417081006/https://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/rekordid/ohutemperatuur/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=precipdays> {{cite web |url=http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,303 |title=Kliimanormid-Sademed, õhuniiskus |publisher=Estonian Weather Service |language=et |access-date=31 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222112141/http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,303 |archive-date=22 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Estonia/CSV/Tartu-Toravere_26242.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 |language=en-us |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=21 December 2023}}</ref> |source 2 = Time and Date (dewpoints, 2005-2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/estonia/tartu/climate |title=Climate & Weather Averages in Tartu |publisher=Time and Date |access-date=25 July 2022 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406105620/https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/estonia/tartu/climate |url-status=live}}</ref> }}

==Economy== [[File:Tartu Tigutorn 02.jpg|thumb|Emajõe Business Centre (left) and Snail Tower (right)]] Mostly known as a university town, Tartu is also a site of heavy industry. The food industry has traditionally been important for the town's economy and some bigger companies in the field include A. Le Coq, Tartu Mill and Salvest. Kroonpress is one of the leading printing press companies in the Baltics.

At the beginning of the 21st century, many ICT enterprises and other high-tech companies have taken a foothold in Tartu. Notable examples include Playtech Estonia, Nortal (formerly Webmedia Group), ZeroTurnaround, Tarkon, Reach-U and Raintree Estonia. Skype has an office in Tartu. The university is one of the largest employers, which explains the large proportion of highly skilled professionals – researchers, professors, doctors, and Tartu University Clinic has been considered the largest employer of Tartu.<ref>{{cite web |title=Consolidated Annual Report 2024 – Tartu University Hospital |url=https://www.kliinikum.ee/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2024_kliinikumi-aastaaruanne_eng.pdf |website=kliinikum.ee |publisher=Tartu University Hospital |date=2024 |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>

== Transport == The city is served by Tartu Airport. The distance to Estonia's "summer holiday capital", Pärnu (in the western Estonia) is {{convert|176|km|0|abbr=off}} and the fastest route there by road is through Viljandi and Kilingi-Nõmme. Tartu is connected to Riga in Latvia as well as Tallinn and other Estonian towns by many bus and train routes.

National Roads 2 (Tallinn-Tartu-Võru-Luhamaa) and 3 (Jõhvi–Tartu–Valga) pass through the city, whilst National Road 92 (Tartu-Viljandi-Kilingi-Nõmme) starts in Tartu.

Tartu railway station was established in 1876. Government-owned passenger rail company Elron runs regular daily trains to Tallinn, Valga and Koidula.

Buses are also available to various destinations in Estonia.

== Demographics == Tartu's historic population is presented in the following table, based on data from official censuses since 1881<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.ee/26384 |title=General data for 1881, 1897, 1922, 1934, 1959, 1970, 1979, 1989 censuses – Statistics Estonia |website=www.stat.ee |access-date=23 March 2009 |archive-date=7 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707191244/http://www.stat.ee/26384 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Estonian Statistical Office.<ref name="Population by sex, age group and county, 1 January">{{cite web |title=Population by sex, age group and county, 1 January |url=http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PO022&path=../I_Databas/Population/01Population_indicators_and_composition/04Population_figure_and_composition/&lang=1 |publisher=Statistics Estonia |date=16 March 2012 |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225061400/http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PO022&path=..%2FI_Databas%2FPopulation%2F01Population_indicators_and_composition%2F04Population_figure_and_composition%2F&lang=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> Note that the data up to 2011 is not directly comparable to the most recent numbers, as the methodology of compiling population statistics has changed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/I_Databas/Population/01Population_indicators_and_composition/04Population_figure_and_composition/PO_021.htm |title=Definitions and Methodology |website=pub.stat.ee |access-date=19 May 2015 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026144552/http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/I_Databas/Population/01Population_indicators_and_composition/04Population_figure_and_composition/PO_021.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Historical population|9=1881|10=29974|11=1897|12=42308|13=1922|14=50342|15=1934|16=58876|17=1959|18=74263|19=1970|20=90459|21=1979|22=104381|23=1989|24=113420|25=2000|26=101118|27=2011|28=97600|29=2021|30=95190|source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=1881, 1897, 1922, 1934, 1959, 1970, 1979, 1989 Census Basic Data |url=https://www.stat.ee/et/avasta-statistikat/loendused/rahvaloendus-2021/rahvaloendustest-eestis/1881-1897-1922-1934-1959-1970-1979-1989-aasta-rahvaloenduse-pohiandmed |language=et |publisher=Statistics Estonia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population and Housing Census 2000–2021 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat |work=Public Database |publisher=Statistics Estonia}}</ref>|direction=horizontal|align=none}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Ethnic composition 1922–2021 ! rowspan="2" |Ethnicity ! colspan="2" |1922<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:440178 |title=1922 a. üldrahvalugemise andmed. Vihk I ja II, Rahva demograafiline koosseis ja korteriolud Eestis |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1924 |isbn=9789916103067 |location=Tallinn |page=33 |language=et, fr |via=Digar |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010107/https://www.digar.ee/arhiiv/nlib-digar:440178 |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |1934<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10062/4439 |title=Rahvastiku koostis ja korteriolud. 1.III 1934 rahvaloenduse andmed. Vihk II |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1935 |location=Tallinn |pages=47–53 |language=et, fr |hdl=10062/4439 |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010008/https://dspace.ut.ee/items/bb3bac8a-8400-4f68-bea9-f4ac9b331652 |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |1941<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:117429 |title=Eesti Statistika : kuukiri 1942-03/04 |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1942 |editor-last= |location=Tallinn |pages=66–67 |language=de, et |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010110/https://www.digar.ee/arhiiv/nlib-digar:117429 |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |1959<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Katus |first1=Kalev |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1791991*est |title=Rahvastiku ühtlusarvutatud sündmus- ja loendusstatistika: Tartumaa 1965–1990 |last2=Puur |first2=Allan |last3=Põldma |first3=Asta |publisher=Eesti Kõrgkoolidevaheline Demouuringute Keskus |year=2003 |isbn=9985-820-72-X |series=Sari C |location=Tallinn |pages=31–32 |language=et, en |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506211857/https://www.ester.ee/record=b1791991*est |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |1970<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1655518*est |title=Население районов, городов и поселков городского типа Эстонской ССР : по данным Всесоюзной переписи населения на 15 января 1970 года |publisher=Eesti NSV Statistika Keskvalitsus |year=1972 |location=Tallinn |page=76 |language=ru |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010109/https://www.ester.ee/record=b1655518%2Aest |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |1979<ref name=":02">{{cite book |url=https://www.digar.ee/viewer/et/nlib-digar:375699/330970/page/30 |title=Eesti Vabariigi maakondade, linnade ja alevite rahvastik. 1. osa, Rahvaarv rahvuse, perekonnaseisu, hariduse ja elatusallikate järgi : 1989. a. rahvaloenduse andmed |publisher=Eesti Vabariigi Riiklik Statistikaamet |year=1990 |isbn=978-9949-7193-2-7 |location=Tallinn |pages=28, 33 |language=et |via=Digar |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506150047/https://www.digar.ee/viewer/et/nlib-digar:375699/330970/page/30 |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |1989<ref name=":02" /> ! colspan="2" |2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL222: RAHVASTIK ELUKOHA JA RAHVUSE JÄRGI |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/pxweb/et/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2000__rahvus-emakeel-veerkeelte-oskus/RL222.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database |language=et |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010114/https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2000__rahvus-emakeel-veerkeelte-oskus/RL222 |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="RL0429">{{cite web |title=RL0429: RAHVASTIK RAHVUSE, SOO, VANUSERÜHMA JA ELUKOHA JÄRGI, 31. DETSEMBER 2011 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2011__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel-ja-keelteoskus-murded/RL0429 |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=Estonian Statistical Database |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010030/https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2011__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel-ja-keelteoskus-murded/RL0429 |url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL21429: Rahvastik Rahvuse, Soo, Vanuserühma Ja ELukoha (Haldusüksus) Järgi, 31. DETSEMBER 2021 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/pxweb/et/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel/RL21429.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database |language=et |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919002332/https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel/RL21429 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% !amount !% |- |Estonians |42,459 |84.5 |51,559 |87.6 |44,732 |93.7 |56,205 |75.7 |68,129 |75.3 |77,597 |74.3 |82,031 |72.3 |80,397 |79.5 |79,700 |81.7 |76,227 |80.1 |- |Russians |2,570 |5.11 |2,640 |4.48 |1,490 |3.12 | - | - |18,009 |19.9 |21,530 |20.6 |24,604 |21.7 |16,245 |16.1 |14,340 |14.7 |12,441 |13.1 |- |Ukrainians | - | - |16 |0.03 | - | - | - | - |1,277 |1.41 |1,685 |1.61 |2369 |2.09 |1,239 |1.22 |891 |0.91 |1,107 |1.16 |- |Belarusians | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |551 |0.61 |749 |0.72 |1,088 |0.96 |490 |0.48 |355 |0.36 |304 |0.32 |- |Finns | - | - |49 |0.08 |27 |0.06 | - | - |1,220 |1.35 |1,271 |1.22 |1,275 |1.12 |1,073 |1.06 |706 |0.72 |900 |0.95 |- |Jews |1,115 |2.22 |920 |1.56 |0 |0.00 | - | - |420 |0.46 |346 |0.33 |267 |0.24 |154 |0.15 |113 |0.12 |81 |0.09 |- |Latvians | - | - |278 |0.47 |1,043 |2.18 | - | - |137 |0.15 |197 |0.19 |167 |0.15 |105 |0.10 |113 |0.12 |268 |0.28 |- |Germans |3,210 |6.39 |2,706 |4.60 | - | - | - | - | - | - |103 |0.10 |133 |0.12 |123 |0.12 |118 |0.12 |306 |0.32 |- |Tatars | - | - |6 |0.01 | - | - | - | - | - | - |112 |0.11 |146 |0.13 |83 |0.08 |65 |0.07 |45 |0.05 |- |Poles | - | - |144 |0.24 |71 |0.15 | - | - | - | - |164 |0.16 |179 |0.16 |137 |0.14 |92 |0.09 |133 |0.14 |- |Lithuanians | - | - |26 |0.04 |15 |0.03 | - | - |102 |0.11 |127 |0.12 |159 |0.14 |96 |0.09 |74 |0.08 |109 |0.11 |- |unknown |0 |0.00 |278 |0.47 |44 |0.09 |0 |0.00 |0 |0.00 |0 |0.00 |0 |0.00 |378 |0.37 |136 |0.14 |255 |0.27 |- |other |902 |1.79 |254 |0.43 |335 |0.70 |18,058 |24.3 |614 |0.68 |500 |0.48 |1,002 |0.88 |649 |0.64 |897 |0.92 |3,014 |3.17 |- !Total !50,256 !100 !58,876 !100 !47,757 !100 !74,263 !100 !90,459 !100 !104,381 !100 !113,420 !100 !101,169 !100 !97,600 !100 !95,190 !100 |}

==Neighbourhoods==

Tartu is officially divided into 17 neighbourhoods, which carry no administrative purposes. Their names and borders are defined. {{Image label begin|image=Tartu linnaosad1.png|width=350|float=right}} {{Image label|x=0.327|y=0.43|scale=400|text='''Kesklinn'''}} {{Image label|x=0.56|y=0.5|scale=400|text='''Annelinn'''}} {{Image label|x=0.384|y=0.57|scale=400|text='''Karlova'''}} {{Image label|x=0.62|y=0.74|scale=400|text='''Ihaste'''}} {{Image label|x=0.4|y=0.75|scale=400|text='''Ropka tööstusrajoon'''}} {{Image label|x=0.53|y=0.33|scale=400|text='''Jaamamõisa'''}} {{Image label|x=0.38|y=0.19|scale=400|text='''Raadi- Kruusamäe'''}} {{Image label|x=0.41|y=0.337|scale=400|text='''Ülejõe'''}} {{Image label|x=0.28|y=0.27|scale=400|text='''Supilinn'''}} {{Image label|x=0.16|y=0.2|scale=400|text='''Tähtvere'''}} {{Image label|x=0.34|y=0.67|scale=400|text='''Ropka'''}} {{Image label|x=0.14|y=0.43|scale=400|text='''Veeriku'''}} {{Image label|x=0.247|y=0.75|scale=400|text='''Variku'''}} {{Image label|x=0.17|y=0.64|scale=400|text='''Tammelinn'''}} {{Image label|x=0.1|y=0.75|scale=400|text='''Ränilinn'''}} {{Image label|x=0.14|y=0.53|scale=400|text='''Maarja- Mõisa'''}} {{Image label|x=0.27|y=0.46|scale=400|text='''Vaksali'''}} {{Image label end}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" width="170" style="text-align: right" |- ! align="left" | Neighborhood !! Area (ha)!! Residents 2001 !! Residents 2006 !! Residents 2012 |- | align="left" | Annelinn || 541 || 30,000 || 28,200 || 27,480 |- | align="left" | Ihaste || 424 || 1,000 || 1,800 || 2,322 |- | align="left" | Jaamamõisa || 149 || 3,000 || 3,000 || 3,202 |- | align="left" | Karlova || 230 || 9,500 || 9,000 || 9,073 |- | align="left" | Kesklinn (Downtown) || 180 || 7,500 || 6,700 || 6,575 |- | align="left" | Maarjamõisa || 113|| 800 || 500 || 377 |- | align="left" | Raadi-Kruusamäe || 283 ||5,000 || 4,800 || 4,626 |- | align="left" | Ropka || 146 ||5,500 || 5,300 || 5,120 |- | align="left" | Ropka industrial district || 354 || 2,700 || 2,700 || 2,511 |- | align="left" | Ränilinn || 122 || 2,500 || 1,800 || 1,732 |- | align="left" | Supilinn || 48|| 2,100 || 1,800 || 1,790 |- | align="left" | Tammelinn || 311 || 8,000 || 8,100 || 8,195 |- | align="left" | Tähtvere || 250 || 4,500 || 3,500 || 3,023 |- | align="left" | Vaksali || 75 || 2,900 || 3,100 || 3,206 |- | align="left" | Variku || 77 || 2,000 || 1,900 || 1,840 |- | align="left" | Veeriku || 281 || 5,500 || 5,300 || 5,561 |- | align="left" | Ülejõe || 302 || 8,200 || 7,700 || 7,876 |} {{multiple image | direction = vertical | image1 = Oscar Wilde in Estonia? (3538497107).jpg | caption1 = A memorial to Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde | image2 = | caption2 = The fountain "Kissing Students" ({{langx|et|Suudlevad Tudengid}}) reminds visitors that the University of Tartu and its students have a profound effect on life in Tartu. }}

==Education and culture==

The city is best known for being home to the University of Tartu (formerly known as the University of Dorpat; {{langx|de|link=no|Universität Dorpat}}), founded under King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in 1632.<ref name="visitsouthestonia"/> Mainly for this reason, Tartu is also – tongue-in-cheek – known as "Athens of the Emajõgi" or as "Heidelberg of the North".

Tartu is also the seat of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the Baltic Defence College, Estonian Aviation Academy (formerly known as Tartu Aviation College), and the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research. Other notable institutions include the Supreme Court of Estonia (re-established in Tartu in autumn 1993), the Estonian Historical Archives, Estonian National Museum, Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum as well as the oldest and renowned theatre in the country, Vanemuine, where they have a well-respected ballet company as well as theatre, opera and musical productions.

In music, there exists the Tartu school of composition.

Most of the sculptures in Tartu are dedicated to historical figures. Among them, the most famous are the Barclay de Tolly monument on Barclay Square in downtown, the Kissing Students monument on the town hall square<ref name="visitsouthestonia"/> and Gustav II Adolf´s monument on King's Square ({{lang|et|Kuningaplats}}).

== Science == Tartu has been an intellectual centre of both Estonia and the Baltic countries for several centuries. Scholars hailing from Tartu include the pioneer of embryology Karl Ernst von Baer, a pioneer of animal behaviour studies Jakob von Uexküll, and a cultural theorist and semiotician Juri Lotman. Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz, a Baltic German physician, naturalist, and entomologist, was born in Tartu. He was one of the earliest scientific explorers of the Pacific region, making significant collections of flora and fauna in Alaska, California, and Hawaii. Nobel Chemistry Prize laureate Wilhelm Ostwald studied and worked in Tartu. The Tartu School is one of the leading scientific schools in semiotics.

== Main sights == {{multiple image | align = left | image1 = Tartu asv2022-04 img15 StJohn Church.jpg | width1 = 225 | alt1 = | caption1 = St. John's Church | image2 = Tartu St Johns church interior.jpg | width2 = 200 | alt2 = | caption2 = Interior | footer = }}

The architecture and city planning of historical Tartu mainly go back to the pre-independence period, with Germans forming the upper and middle classes of society, and therefore contributing many architects, professors and local politicians.

Most notable are the old Lutheran St. John's Church ({{langx|et|Jaani Kirik}}, {{langx|de|link=no|Johanneskirche}}), the 18th-century town hall, the university building, ruins of the 13th-century cathedral, the botanical gardens, the main shopping street, many buildings around the town hall square and Barclay Square.

Parts of the medieval city wall are preserved in Lai Street and Vabaduse Street.

The historical slum area called Supilinn (''Soup Town'') is located on the bank of river Emajõgi, near the town centre and is regarded as one of the few surviving "poor" neighbourhoods of 19th-century Europe. At the moment Supilinn is being rapidly renovated, undergoing a slow transformation from the historic slum into a prestigious high-class neighborhood. The active community embodied by the Supilinn Society is committed to preserving the heritage.

The Second World War destroyed large parts of the city centre and during the Soviet occupation, many new buildings were erected – notably the new Vanemuine Theater. The effects of the war are still witnessed by the relative abundance of parks and greenery in the historic centre. Typical Soviet-style neighbourhoods of blocks of high-rise flats were built between World War II and the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991, the largest such district being Annelinn.

Presently, Tartu is also known for several modern buildings of the "steel, concrete and glass" variation, but has managed to retain a mix of old and new buildings in the centre of town. Notable examples include the Tigutorn Tower and the Emajõe Centre, both built during the current period of independence; Tartu's tallest and second tallest towers, respectively. Tartu's large student population means that it has a comparatively thriving nightlife, with many nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, including the world's highest-ceiling pub, in the historic Gunpowder Cellar of Tartu.

Annually, in the summer, Tartu hosts the Hanseatic Days festival ({{langx|et|Hansapäevad}}) to celebrate its Hanseatic heritage. The festival includes events such as handicraft markets, historic workshops and jousting tournaments.

== Sports == thumb|left|250px|Rally Estonia ceremonial start place

The city hosts the Rally Estonia. It is the biggest motorsport event in the Baltic states.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/championship/calendar/wrc/-rally-estonia/overview/ |title=WRC Rally Estonia |publisher=World Rally Championship |website=wrc.com |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801052557/https://www.wrc.com/en/championship/calendar/wrc/-rally-estonia/overview/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The rally was part of the European Rally Championship between 2014 and 2016. Since 2020 Rally Estonia is part of the World Rally Championship.

Tartu is the home for basketball club Tartu Ülikool/Rock, which participates in the Korvpalli Meistriliiga and the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League.

Football club JK Tammeka Tartu, one of the Meistriliiga clubs, is located in Tartu. Their home stadium is the Tamme Staadion, which has a capacity of 1600. The city is also home to the Tartu JK Welco and FC Santos Tartu clubs, which play in the Esiliiga, the second division.

Tartu has a professional volleyball club, Bigbank Tartu, as well as the handball team, the Tartu Ülikool/Glassdrive, which plays in the second division of Estonian handball.

Tartu is also the hometown of Clement "Puppey" Ivanov, captain of Team Secret, a professional Dota 2 team. He won the first International, and was runner-up two years in a row with Natus Vincere.<ref>{{cite web |title=International Teams |url=http://www.dota2.com/international/teams/ |publisher=Valve |access-date=20 July 2014 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010535/https://www.dota2.com/ingest |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2017 World Orienteering Championships were held in Tartu.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woc2017.ee/ |title=Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships 2017 |website=www.woc2017.ee |access-date=16 April 2015 |archive-date=19 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319064719/http://www.woc2017.ee/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The annual running event Tartu Sügisjooks takes place in Tartu.

== Notable people ==

[[File:Alar Karis 2019.jpg|thumb|upright|Alar Karis, 2019]] === Public service === * George Browne, (1698–1792), Irish-born Governor of Dorpat.<ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle= Browne, George (1698-1792) |volume= 07 |last= Henderson |first= Thomas Finlayson |author-link= Thomas Finlayson Henderson | page= 45 |short= 1}}</ref> * Adolf von Harnack (1851–1930), Baltic German lutheran theologian and church historian.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle= Harnack, Adolf |volume= 13 |page= 10 |short=1}}</ref> * Adalbert Volck (1868–1948), Baltic German politician * Haim Fishel Epstein (1874–1942), Lithuanian-American rabbi * Ants Veetõusme (born 1949), politician (former Mayor of Tartu) and financial figure * Andrus Ansip (born 1956), politician, former Prime Minister of Estonia * Alar Karis (born 1958), the 6th President of Estonia * Jürgen Ligi (born 1959), politician and Govt. minister * Kersti Kaljulaid (born 1969), 5th President of Estonia

=== Arts === [[File:C. R. Jakobson, Paul Raud, EKM j 9638 M 3807.jpg|thumb|upright|Carl Robert Jakobson]] [[File:Maarja Jakobson 01.jpg|thumb|upright|Maarja Jakobson, 2009]] * Friedrich Maximilian von Klinger (1752–1831), German dramatist and novelist, wrote, ''Sturm und Drang'' (1776), died locally.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle= Klinger, Friedrich Maximilian von |volume= 15 |pages= 846-847 |short=1}}</ref> * Friedrich Robert Faehlmann (1798–1850), writer, medical doctor and philologist * Carl Robert Jakobson (1841–1882), writer, politician and teacher.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kurgja.ee/about_the_museum.html | title = Carl Robert Jakobson Talumuuseum | accessdate = 2015-05-19 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150519202440/http://www.kurgja.ee/about_the_museum.html | archivedate = 19 May 2015 }}</ref> * Sally von Kügelgen (1860–1928), Baltic German painter * Hans Dragendorff (1870-1941), Baltic German archaeologist * Emil Mattiesen (1875–1939), Baltic German composer, pianist and philosopher * Zofia Romer (1885–1972), Polish painter * Heino Eller (1887-1970), composer * Oskar Luts (1887–1953), writer and playwright * Elsa Ratassepp (1893–1972), actress * Kallista Kann (1895–1983), linguist * Else Hueck-Dehio, (1897–1976), Baltic German writer * Paul Ariste (1905–1990), linguist * Aino Talvi (1909–1992), actress * Kai Leete (1910–1995), ballet and folk dancer * Eno Raud (1928–1996), children's author * Aarand Roos (1940–2020), linguist, writer and diplomat * Jaan Kaplinski (1941-2021), poet and philosopher * Maarja Jakobson (born 1977), actress * Rasmus Kaljujärv (born 1981), actor * Eeva Talsi (born 1988), folk musician * Laura Põldvere (born 1988), singer * Elisabeth Erm (born 1993), fashion model

=== Science === [[File:Jacob von Eggers x Jacob Wessel.jpg|thumb|upright|Jacob von Eggers]] * Jacob von Eggers (1704-1773), military engineer in Swedish and Saxonian service * Franz Aepinus (1724–1802), a German mathematician, scientist, and natural philosopher, lived and died locally.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle= Aepinus, Franz Ulrich Theodor |volume= 1 |page= 258 |short=1}}</ref> * Karl Ernst von Baer (1792–1876), Baltic German scientist and explorer.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Baer, Karl Ernst von |volume= 3 |last= Clodd |first= Edward |author-link= Edward Clodd |page= 191 |short=1}}</ref> * Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz (1793–1831), a Baltic German physician, naturalist, and entomologist.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle= Eschscholtz, Johann Friedrich |volume= 9 |page= 765 |short=1}}</ref> * Karl Ernst Claus (1796–1864), Baltic German chemist and botanist * Gregor von Helmersen (1803 in Duckershof Manor – 1885), a Baltic German geologist.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle= Helmersen, Gregor von |volume= 13 |page= 246 |short=1}}</ref> * Erhard Schmidt (1876-1959), mathematician * Peeter Põld (1878–1930), pedagogic scientist, school director and politician * Leonid Kulik (1883–1942), Russian mineralogist * Hellmuth Kneser (1898-1973), mathematician * Alma Johanna Ruubel (1899–1990), mathematician * Jaan Einasto (born 1929), astrophysicist * Mart-Olav Niklus (1934–2025), ornithologist, dissident, and politician * Jaak Aaviksoo (born 1954), physicist, politician and former rector of the University of Tartu

=== Sport === [[File:Siim-Sander Vene - Penya GC2019 by unniks-3.jpg|thumb|upright|Siim-Sander Vene, 2019]] * George Hackenschmidt (1877–1968), strongman, professional wrestler, writer and philosopher * Lauri Aus (1970–2003), professional road cyclist * Markko Märtin (born 1975), rally driver * Kristina Šmigun-Vähi (born 1977), cross-country skier * Jaan Mölder (born 1987), rally driver * Martin Järveoja (born 1987), rally co-driver * Rein Taaramäe (born 1987), professional road cyclist * Siim-Sander Vene (born 1990), basketball player * Julia Beljajeva (born 1992), fencer * Kerr Kriisa (born 2001), basketball player * Eneli Jefimova (born 2006), swimmer

== Twin towns – sister cities == Tartu is twinned with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Relations with other cities |url=https://www.tartu.ee/en/twin-cities |publisher=Tartu}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=18em}} *{{flagicon|FIN}} Tampere, Finland *{{flagicon|FIN}} Turku, Finland *{{flagicon|FIN}} Hämeenlinna, Finland *{{flagicon|SWE}} Uppsala, Sweden *{{flagicon|HUN}} Veszprém, Hungary *{{flagicon|LIT}} Kaunas, Lithuania *{{flagicon|DEN}} Frederiksberg, Denmark *{{flagicon|NDL}} Zutphen and Deventer, Netherlands *{{flagicon|ISL}} Hafnarfjörður, Iceland *{{flagicon|NOR}} Bærum, Norway *{{flagicon|GER}} Lüneburg, Germany *{{flagicon|ITA}} Ferrara, Italy *{{flagicon|USA}} Salisbury, Maryland, United States *{{flagicon|LVA}} Riga, Latvia *{{flagicon|UKR}} Lviv, Ukraine {{div col end}}

== Gallery == <gallery> File:University of Tartu, Main Building, April 2012.JPG|University of Tartu main building File:Tartu, botanická zahrada.jpeg|University of Tartu Botanical Gardens File:Riigikohus.jpg|The Supreme Court of Estonia File:Arch bridge in Tartu.jpg|Kaarsild (''Arch Bridge'') over the Emajõgi File:Kuradisild sügisõhtul.JPG|Kuradisild (''Devil's Bridge'') File:Telleri kabel.jpg|Teller chapel in Tartu, Estonia. Built in 1794 File:Tartu Kunstimuuseum.JPG|Tartu Art Museum File:Laulupeomuuseum.JPG|Song Festival Museum File:Tartu Town Hall Place towards Kaarsild 2015.jpg|Tartu Town Hall Square File:Tartu Peetri kirik 2012.jpg|St Peter's Church File:Tartu asv2022-04 img28 StPaul Church.jpg|St Paul's Church File:TrefnGymn-2012-06.png|Hugo Treffner Gymnasium File:Tartu asv2022-04 img26 Vanemuine small building.jpg|"Little House" of the Vanemuine theatre File:Tartu Kaubamaja 2011.JPG|Tartu Department Store File:Tasku.jpg|Tasku Shopping Centre File:Tartu railway station, 2014.JPG|Tartu railway station File:TartuStadtmauer1a.jpg|Part of the medieval city wall, seen from Vabaduse Street File:TartuStadtmauer2a.jpg|Part of the medieval city wall, seen from Lai Street </gallery>

== Sources == * {{Cite magazine |first=Rivo |last=Bernotas |url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/Archaeology/2011/issue_1/arch-2011-15-1-56-72.pdf |title=Medieval Town Wall of Tartu in the Light of Recent Research |magazine=Estonian Journal of Archaeology |year=2011 |number=1 |language=en}}

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

=== References === {{Reflist}}

=== Further reading === * {{Cite book |author=Villem Raam |title=Eesti arhitektuur 4. Tartumaa, Jõgevamaa, Valgamaa, Võrumaa, Põlvamaa. Valgus |publisher=Valgus |year=1999 |isbn=9985-68-050-2 |language=et}} * {{Cite book |author=Malle Salupere |title=Tuhandeaastane Tartu – Nooruse ja heade mõtete linn |publisher=University of Tartu Press |year=2004 |isbn=9985-56-908-3 |language=et}} * {{Cite book |author=Seppo Zetterberg |title=Viron historia |publisher=Finnish Literature Society |year=2007 |isbn=978-951-746-520-5 |language=fi}}

== External links == {{Commons category-inline}} {{Wikivoyage inline}} * [https://tartu.ee/en City of Tartu] * [http://www.visittartu.com/?set_lang_id=2 Tourism website] * [http://www.ut.ee/en University of Tartu] * [http://meteo.physic.ut.ee/?lang=en Weather in Tartu]

{{Tartu landmarks}} {{Tartu (urban municipality)}} {{Cities of Estonia}} {{European Capital of Culture}} {{Hanseatic League}}

Category:Tartu Category:Cities and towns in Estonia Category:Members of the Hanseatic League Category:Tartu kreis Category:Populated places in Tartu County Category:Populated places established in the 5th century Category:1030 establishments