Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia, with a population of approximately 97,300. Located 186 kilometres southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres northeast of Riga, Latvia, it sits on the Emajõgi river, which flows between Lake Võrtsjärv and Lake Peipus, Estonia's two largest lakes. The city dates back to the 7th century and was historically known by variants of the name Dorpat from the 13th century until the end of the 19th century. Tartu University, founded in 1632 during the Swedish rule period, established the city as an intellectual center.
Tartu's architecture reflects its varied history, combining traditional wooden farmhouses, classical pink buildings in the town square, and Soviet-era apartment blocks. The Soviet period caused damage to many historically significant structures, though restoration efforts have continued since Estonian independence. The city holds UNESCO City of Literature status and is known as "Estonia's City of Museums," hosting numerous literary festivals, poetry readings, and book launches annually. This literary prominence stems partly from the Soviet era, when books served as a primary medium for preserving Estonian cultural heritage, contributing to Estonia's reputation for high childhood literacy rates.
Contemporary Tartu maintains the character of a small university town with an idyllic setting, featuring a high concentration of multilingual bookshops and bookstores. The city retains quaint Eastern European charm in both its old town and outlying areas while remaining relatively untouched by mainstream tourism. Books continue to hold central importance in Tartu's culture and daily life, reflecting the city's designation as the heart of Estonian culture and science.