The last couple of days, we have taken it easy, just wandering around Pärnu. The old town is lovely and at this time of year there are lots of floral displays everywhere.
There is a Tallin Gate, not far from where we are staying, on the way to the old town. This is the only trace of the 17th century ramparts that protected Pärnu at one time. Until 1710, when Swedish rule came to an end it was known as Gustav's Gate, named after King Gustav of Sweden.
During our wanderings, we visited St Elizabeth's Church, which was founded as a Lutheran church in 1747 by the Russian Empress Elizabeth, but is now a Protestant church. The information we have, says that the organ was built in 1929. When we entered the church we noticed 2 organs rather than one. There was a really modern looking organ with pipes built around a circular window, which an organist was playing when we entered the church. I have just trawled through google and found that the new organ was built in 2010. There are occasions when both organs are played simultaneously, during performances with orchestra and choir. It must sound wonderful.
We also visited the Town Hall, which is a strange mixture, consisting of the original building dating back to 1797, and an Art Nouveau extension, built in 1911. The original building was very attractive, whilst the extension was very dark and not at all in keeping with the original. I don't understand what they were thinking when they built that extension!
We visited St Catherine's Orthodox Church which was built in 1768 during the reign of Russia's Catherine the Great. The outside was quite impressive but the inside was very small. Restoration work is currently underway and there was scaffolding inside, which rocked from side to side as a workman did his restoration work. It didn't look at all safe!
There is a new concert hall in Pärnu which was built in 2002. We just missed some concerts we would have liked to hear, and there aren't any more scheduled while we are here. We had a look inside, before setting off through more parkland.
Pärnu has a beach which is about a kilometre from our hotel. It is a sandy beach, but there were absolutely no waves to be seen! On our approach to the beach, there was a sign warning people that they might see nudists on the beach! Today the nudists must have decided it was too chilly for a sunbake or a swim as there were none to be seen.
Last night there was an outdoor pop concert in the grounds of our hotel, and another one is starting now as I type. Both are in complete contrast to the fantastic concert we heard on our arrival!
