Did you know that from this place where the sports museum is located, the great fire of Tartu began in the afternoon of June 25, 1775 (July 6 according to Gregorian calendar) changing the centre of Tartu forever?

The "Great Fire" as we know it today occurred in 1775. It started in the backyard of Knights Street near St. John's Church. A strong wind allowed the fire to spread from building to building, and the wooden bridges allowed the fire to cross the river to do further damage. Nearly 200 wooden buildings were destroyed and over 40 stone buildings. The city was further damaged when eighteen buildings were purposefully destroyed to create fire breaks.

At the end of the fire only 160 buildings remained: most of these were to the north of the city. There were only forty left standing in the former centre of the city. Uppsala House, which is near St. John's church, claims to be one of the few buildings now remaining that date from before the fire. Some of its timbers have been dated to 1750.

We take you to the road that introduces the whole story of the catastrophe. Audio and visuals that imitate the fire chaos between the city walls and interesting information posters will help you to understand the of background one of the biggest fires in Estonian history even better.