The central point is the city of Tartu Town Hall Square, built in the classical style and shaped like a trapezoid. Throughout the history of the city area is its center. Initially, it was the trade area, which united the ancient settlement located on a hill adjacent to a river Emajõgi port. In this status, the Town Hall Square has existed for several centuries.

In the Middle Ages there was built a control center of the city - the Town Hall. The building of the town hall, we can see now - the third on the site. Despite the fact that Tartu - an ancient town, many of the buildings date back to the late 18th century. The reason for all - the famous Tartu fire which in 1775 destroyed almost the entire city center. It was after this incident, virtually re-built the city acquired the kind that we can observe today.

Town Hall Square at various times called differently. Initially it was business or fairground. When the markets in the city has increased, Town Hall Square became known as the large market. During the German occupation, there was an area of ​​Adolf Hitler, then the area of ​​the Soviets, well, since 1990 it became the Town Hall.

During the last war it destroyed almost all the buildings on the south side of the Town Hall Square, including a stone bridge with two triumphal arches. One and the arches of the bridge was blown up by the summer of 1941 the Red Army, and in 1944 the German troops finally destroyed the bridge during the retreat. In both cases the natural water barrier delayed coming for a while.

Thanks to the Swedish trial period known what the building surrounding the square in the 17th century. Before the town hall started to build the infamous ekzekutsionny post, but one of the board members were opposed to the pole stood under his windows. His complaints came to the king. Typical of medieval towns was that the building stood end to the area. The same layout was on the Town Hall Square in Tartu.

One of the most important symbols of the city itself is the Town Hall, located on the square, which was designed in 1789. To the right of the town hall with the house number 2 begins several houses north side of the square. At the corner draws attention to the drain, in the form of a dragon's head. This decorative forged parts can be found in different parts of the city. Another interesting detail - Stukova garland made in the Rococo style around the window above the main portal from the town hall. In this house at number 4 are hotel and restaurant "Dragon".

The house number 6 on the street corner. Rüütli is a dental clinic and a jewelry store. This house, which is the first building, donated by the University of Alexander I, the long time called the oldest university. Previously, there were various studies, conducted classes also lived here many teachers.

The house number 8, designed, like the town hall, the architect Walter in 1781-1792 gg., In modern times lived and worked famous Estonian artists, including landscape painter Konrad Mägi about it resembles a commemorative plaque on the wall of the house. Today, there also remained an art store and gallery.

Houses on the Town Hall Square belonged to rich people. The most representative is the home of the 16th, which resembles a university building. Indeed, the house was built in 1797-1804 gg. one project to Krause University. This building was acquired in the late 19th century, it has 30 rooms, a large hall and retail space. Before the First World War the house was rebuilt and completed. Throughout its history, the building housed various clubs, restaurants, cultural facilities, bookstore, bank.

Tartu has a "Leaning Tower" - a rickety house number 18, or the house of Barclay, in which Field Marshal himself is known to have lived, although a memorial plaque on the wall of the building and says the opposite. This house, built in the early 19th century, was bought by Princess Barclay after the death of her husband. Since the house of Tartu built on peat soil of the river valley, at the present time there was a need to strengthen most of the bases. Barclay rickety building for this reason, and although the slope of the house survived, floors and flows inside the building leveled. In this house there is a branch of Tartu Art Museum with a permanent exhibition of contemporary Estonian art, and also hosts temporary exhibitions.

During the Second World War, the southern part of the Town Hall Square was burned. It was rebuilt again using the ruins. Only the house at number 3 restored to its previous form, though, and add 1 extra floor. Previously, the building belonged to the genus Levenstern. It welcomed and treated passing of heads of state and other important people, now the building at the disposal of the town council.

The fountain, which is located on the square in front of the town hall, built in the postwar years. But it not so long ago was remodeled and expanded sculpture depicting kissing under the umbrella of the students. Her master did Mati Karmin. One day he took a picture of his nephew, who kissed a girl in the rain. This image became the prototype of the sculpture.