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The central Tartu Town Hall Square is surrounded by buildings built in the classical style. Since 1998 the square is decorated by the "Kissing Students" fountain. Throughout centuries the centre of town activity has been Town Hall Square, the history of which goes back to ancient times. At that time the market place was the square lying between the fortress on Toome Hill and the harbour on the banks of the Emajõgi River. This tradition persisted for centuries.
The Town Hall of Tartu is located in the Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) edge. The current Town Hall is the third one on the same site. It is designed by Johann Heinrich Bartholomäus Walter from Rostock, Germany. The construction started in 1782 and was finally completed in 1789. The opening ceremony was held, however, already in 1786. The building represents the most earliest classicism style, but there are also features of Baroque and Rococo styles.
Reference: Tartu Tourism Information
Ängsö Castle was first named as "Engsev" in a royal charter by king Canute I of Sweden (r. 1167-1196), in which he stated that he had inherited the property after his father Eric IX of Sweden. Until 1272, it was owned by the Riseberga Abbey, and then taken over by Gregers Birgersson.
From 1475 until 1710, it was owned by the Sparre family. The current castle was built as a fortress by riksråd Bengt Fadersson Sparre in the 1480s. In 1522, Ängsö Castle was taken after a siege by king Gustav Vasa, since its owner, Fadersson's son Knut Bengtsson, sided with Christian II of Denmark. However, in 1538 it was given by the king to Bengtsson's daughter Hillevi Knutsdotter, who was married to Arvid Trolle.
In 1710, the castle was taken over by Carl Piper and Christina Piper. Ängsö Castle was owned by the Piper family from 1710 until 1971, and is now owned by the Westmanna foundation. The castle building itself was made into a museum in 1959 and was made a listed building in 1965. It is currently opened to visitors during the summers.
The castle is a cubical building in four stores made by stone and bricks. The lower parts is preserved from the middle ages. It was redecorated and expanded in the 1630s. The 4th storey as well as the roof is from the expansion of Carl Hårleman from 1740-41. It gained its current appearance in the 1740s.