"Medieval Days" festival opens in Estonian capital

A medieval procession on Thursday officially opened here a four-day series of "Medieval Days" events in the Old Town of the Estonian capital.

A large medieval market in Town Hall Square with merchants and workshops, a country music band from Hungary and a medieval village near the Harju Street park aimed to make visitors feel the atmosphere of the flourishing Hanseatic era during the late Middle Ages in the 15th century.

Delivering a speech at the market opening ceremony, Vladimir Svet, Tallinn city district governor, welcomed the merchants, musicians and visitors.

The "Medieval Days" are one of the most important annual events organized by the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union since the year 2000.

Tallinn is known for its medieval past and best preserved Old Town in northern Europe.

Due to its exceptionally intact 13th century city plan, the Old Town was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1997.