Narva in Estonia

The city of Narva is located in Northeastern Estonia, on the border between Estonia and Russia, 210 km from Tallinn and 150 km from St. Petersburg. Narva has its own face which sets it apart from all other places. Take an inter-city express bus from Tallinn's Bus Station, Lastekodu 46. Coaches leave roughly every hour and arrive three and a half hours later.

History
Narva has a long history. It is an extraordinary and original town, where many different cultures, nations and epochs meet. The ancient and modern are here neighbours. Narva is unigue because it is located on the border of the West and East. The river Narva and two fortresses on her banks are not without reason the symbol of our town. Narva has great industrial potential created through last decades. As well, Narva is the transit and tourist town, here trade and transport routes meet. It is worth visiting Narva to see our past, to visit the Gulf of Finland with its skyblue coast, to meet the town and its inhabitants. The gates of ancient Narva are open for you!

In 1700 the exhausted army of Peter I was routed at Narva. Driven back from Swedish-held territory, Peter I was only briefly disappointed and quickly resumed the planning of fresh military campaigns. When Charles XII, meanwhile encouraged by his successes, sent an invading army into Poland, Peter I and his advisors were convinced that a Swedish naval attack was imminent. In year 2000 it was 300 years ago that a grossly outnumbered Carl XII of Sweden managed to defeat Peter the Great in what became famously known as the Battle of Narva, and the town will be marking the anniversary with an international conference, tours and exhibitions. Narva saw its heyday under Swedish rule in the 16th and 17th centuries, when its Baroque architecture was known as some of the most beautiful in the Baltic Sea area. Most of this was destroyed in World War II but the Town Hall, built 1668-71 in the staid style known as Northern Baroque, has survived. 

The city returned to prominence as an industrial centre in the late 19th century when the Kreenholm Textile Mill, was built on the Narva River and became one of the leading manufacturers in Estonia. 

Today

Today's Narva is still primarily an industrial city with a Russian population of about 96%. Lingering Soviet-era shop signs and monuments might give visitors the impression that they've stepped back in time a decade, but for better or worse, these reminders of the past are slowly disappearing as the city heads into the 21st century.

If you have never seen the unique view of two ancient frontier fortresses facing each other across a river, you should come to Narva to see the Hermann Castle on the Estonian side, and the Ivangorod Castle over on the Russian side.
If you have never before seen Swedish medieval fortifications, in Narva you will find those which previously enclosed the town, making it one of the most powerful fortresses in Europe.
If you are interested in history, you might visit the Narva Museum, housed in the famous Tall Hermann Tower. There you can acquaint yourself with displays about the history of Narva, its pre - war architecture, and the household implements of its citizens.
If you are an art-lover, visit Narva Art Gallery, a very cosy and pleasant place, located on the Gloria Bastion in the former military barracks. The main exhibition area holds the art collection of merchant named Lavretsov, and there are regular temporary exhibitions of art from Estonia as well as from other countries.
If you would like to see an unique example of the industrial architecture of the 19-th century, you can take a look at the buildings of the Kreenholm factory. The factory, the biggest cotton enterprise in Estonia, is located on Kreenholm Island, which divides the Narva river into two arms.
If you wish to relax for a little while at the seaside, come to Narva, which is only 14 km from the Gulf of Finland.
In the summer resort named Narva-Joesuu, you will find a pine forest, fresh air, sea, watch the waves from glittering sand-dunes on the 4 km beach and enjoy peace… Here you can choose between three health spas and receive expert physical treatment from head to toe.

Facilities
Company	Contact	Address	Information
Lodgings
Alissa		Kangelaste 2a, tel. (+372-35) 76 834, fax (+372-35) 22 028	Comfortable, recently-renovated rooms in a former bank building. Popular with long-term guests, so call ahead to make sure there's a vacancy. Prices are per person. SAUNA PARKING
Elektra		Kerese 11, tel./fax (+372-35) 66 651  epost	Spotless modernity makes this guesthouse a favourite with business travellers. Every room has a kitchenette. Elektra fills up fast, so reserve at least two weeks in advance. Free parking. SAUNA CONFERENCE ROOMS  PARKING
Jusian		Kreenholmi 40, tel./fax (+372-35) 62 656	Narva's budget option is across the tracks in an tired-looking apartment block. Renovations were done in 1999, and rooms do indeed have their own WC, shower and TV.
Vanalinn		Koidula 6, tel. (+372-35) 22 486, fax (+372-35) 24 120	In a restored 17th-century building near the Narva Castle. Though Vanalinn may not have the most up-to-date fixtures, most bathrooms are new and everything works. Ask the friendly staff for a room with a view of the bridge to Russia. RESTAURANT
Eating
Belgrad Café		Energia 2a, tel. (+372-35) 24 089.	Don't let the dark velvet walls and dance music fool you. It's not a disco, it's just another café with a typical, schnitzel-laden menu.
Disco-Bar Lux		Pähklimäe 4a, tel (+372-35) 48 260.	Despite the macho name, this is pretty mild pub in a residential area outside the centre. Lux Nightclub, open 12:00 - 04:00, is located in the same building.
Geneva		Võidu 2, tel/fax (+372-35) 61 135 epost	The café offers live piano music every day from 12:00 - 14:00. Appetisers run 7 - 60EEK, main dishes 15 - 120EEK. The upstairs disco is the hottest spot in Narva's sparse nightclub scene, though the average dancer seems to be slightly younger than your daughter.
German Pub		Puskini 10, tel. (+372-35) 31 548.	Aside from the samovars, this comes close to the feel of a Bavarian pub. The menu is longer than the actual choices available. Be prepared for a wait.
Gulliver		Lavretsovi 7, tel. (+372-35) 31 551.	Thanks to its miniature size and homey decor, the Gulliver pub is a relaxed place to have a beer with friends. The equally tiny upstairs restaurant has a romantic hideaway feel.
King		Lavretsov 9, tel. (+372-35) 22 075.	Enjoy regal cooking at prices a mere commoner can afford (mains 30 - 60EEK), and all in a subdued atmosphere of stone, wood and candlelight. The meal we had here was excellent, so we're definitely coming back. FIREPLACE
Kulinaaria		Puskini 10.	A bit of a throwback to Soviet times, this centrally-located café/shop is a good bet for an in-between-meal pastry or salad.
Magic Queen		Linda 4, tel. (+372-35) 69 622.	Typical shiny Eurobar in a commercial building. The owner's favourite group is, you guessed it, Queen.
McDonald's		Tallinna 37, tel. (+372-35) 61 498.	Mundane, perhaps, but you know what you're getting.
Narva Café		Puskini 6, tel. (+372-35) 055 26 326.	Though they do serve food, Narva Café is actually a small, dark nightclub.
Narva Pizza		Tallinna 41, tel. (+372-35) 63 321.	Someone should let them know that box of Kleenex is no substitute for a napkin dispenser, nevertheless, the Astri Centre's cafeteria is clean and modern, and serves a surprisingly good pizza.
Rondeel Restaurant		Peterburi 2, tel. (+372-35) 33 244.	Narva's only choice for a truly elegant meal caters mainly to groups, and you won't get in the door without a reservation. Located in the castle wall.
Rossan		Puskini 12-16, tel./fax (+372-35) 24 482.	Decent meals from a long menu. But just try to digest to the accompaniment of both the TV and the loud overhead music.
Unikum		Lavretsov 8, tel. (+372-35) 24 855.	Named after Hungary's beloved national drink, Unikum promises a spicier choice for diners in Narva.
Vanalinn		Koidula 6, tel. (+372-35) 22 486.	Surprisingly comfortable cellar bar in the Vanalinna Hotel. The menu is brief, but the coffee is good.
Vana Toomas		Joala 3, tel. (+372-35) 22 406	Vana Toomas has frog legs on the menu, but the non-French will appreciate it for its friendly, pub-like atmosphere and intimate, wooden booths.
Other
NARVA-JÕESUU Marina		EE2001 Narva-Jôesuu, Lootsi 1 ph (+372 35) 72 841 VHF 16 VHF 10	depth 2,8-3,0 m position 59º28.15 N - 28º02.70 E