Viru Square Explained

Viru Square (Estonian: Viru väljak) was a square in the center of Tallinn, Estonia. It existed as a square until 2002 when the construction of Viru Centre began. Currently only a roundabout and an official "street name" are left of the former open area. The roundabout is the intersection of three main streets of Tallinn: (Pärnu Road), (Narva Road), (Sea Avenue); and two smaller: and (Old-Viru Street). Also, all of the four tram lines of Tallinn go through the roundabout.

Names over time

• Until 1939: Russian market (Estonian: Vene turg; Russian: Русскій рынокъ, Russian: Вшивый рынок; German: Russischer Markt, German: Läusemarkt). Also known as lice market (Estonian: täiturg)
• 1939–1940: Viru Square
• 1940–1960: Stalin Square (during the German occupation [1941–1944] German: Wierländischer Platz).
• 1960–1970: Centre Square (Estonian: Keskväljak)
• 1970–present: renamed Viru Square^[1]

Buildings around Viru Square

• Viru hotel (1972), Viru Square 4
• Café Amigo
• Viru Centre, Viru 4/6
• Viru Centre Bus Terminal, Viru 6
• Fire Station, Vana-Viru Street 14 ^[2]
• Tammsaare Park - named after Estonian writer A. H. Tammsaare

External links

• Linda Järve. Viru väljak neelab 1,7 miljardit krooni. Õhtuleht, 23. April 1999
• Võim ja väljak. Arhitektuuriajaloolane Karin Hallas kirjutab võimusuhete klaarimisest Tallinna väljakutel. Eesti Ekspress Online: Areen, 23. märts 2000
• Jüri Muttika. Tallinna kaks südant. Eesti Ekspress, 04. mai 2006

Notes and References

1. (retrieved 20 March 2020)
2. http://register.muinas.ee/?menuID=monument&action=view&id=1244 Pritsimaja.