Narva

• City Administration address:
  Narva Linnavalitsus
  Peetri plats 5, 20308 Narva
  www.narva.ee
  Email: [email protected]
  Phone: (+372) 359 9099 and (+372) 359 9005 (24h)

• Area 84.5 km², population 55,118.

• Types of buildings: as in 1944, 98% of the city was devastated in bombing raids, it doesn’t exactly feature the most beautiful architecture in the country – rather, the Soviet style from 1950s to 1970s prevails here. Although, in recent years some new well-balanced buildings, such as the University of Tartu Narva College building, have been built.

• Renting price avg: €250 per month

• Buying price avg: €448 per square meter

• Your typical neighbor: blue collar, different rank officials, small enterprise owners, families and, of course, a lot of pensioners from the previous era

• Why Narva? The easternmost city in Estonia is a unique place demographically and culturally. As 94% are Russian-speaking people, it is a good place to practice your language skills.

• History brief: The area was first settled about 7,000 years ago. During the Middle Ages, it was a vibrant trade town on the way to Moscow. Before WWII it featured extraordinarily beautiful baroque architecture, but in 1944, 98% of the buildings were shelled and bombed to the ground; in the Old Town, only three buildings remained intact. After the year 1991 and regaining independence, the situation has been stable, although heavy industry started moving out and unemployment has been an issue.

• Key center: besides Fama and Astri shopping centers, the river promenade and the beach along the Narva river and next to it Hermann Castle is a gathering place, especially in summer.

• Special events: the Tastes of Narva (Narva Maitsed) in every May. Also, the Narva Spring Fair (Narva Kevadlaat) in every May, International Blacksmiths’ festival (Seppade festival “Barokksepis” Narvas) also in every May and the City Days (Narva Linna Päevad) in June. History and the historical military related festivals in August and November.