The current Town Hall is the third building to occupy this site, replacing predecessors destroyed by fire and the Great Northern War.
The building was designed by architect Johann Heinrich Bartholomäus Walter, who combined Dutch baroque and classicist elements.
The clock tower features a chime consisting of 18 bells, which play melodies three times daily.
The 'Kissing Students' sculpture depicts a bronze couple under an umbrella, inspired by local student culture.
The square's trapezoidal shape is a result of the medieval city's original street layout sloping toward the Emajõgi River.
During the winter, the square is transformed into 'City of Light,' featuring an ice skating rink and decorative lighting.
The ground floor of the Town Hall originally housed a weigh house and a prison.
Tartu Town Hall Square is a trapezoidal town square situated in the heart of the city's historical district. The square is anchored by the late-baroque style Town Hall building, constructed between 1782 and 1789. The building functions as the administrative seat of the city and contains the tourist information center. The centerpiece of the square is the 'Kissing Students' fountain, installed in 1998, which serves as a symbolic icon of the university city. The square is surrounded by neoclassical and early classicist buildings that survived the major fires of the 18th century. It sits at the intersection of several primary historical streets, connecting the riverfront to the university quarter. The square serves as a year-round venue for city festivals, including the winter ice rink and the annual Hansa Days festival.
From the center of the square looking up towards the Town Hall facade, specifically capturing the 'Kissing Students' fountain in the foreground.
Visit the second floor of the Town Hall building to see the historical assembly hall, which is open to the public during administrative hours.
Walk towards the adjacent Rüütli Street, which starts at the corner of the square, to find the city's best concentration of historical cafes.
Check the local event calendar before visiting to see if a concert or market is scheduled, as the square is the primary hub for public gatherings.
Do not mistake the nearby shopping malls for the historical center; stick to the area bordering the river to ensure you are in the old town.
