Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia, often considered the intellectual centre of the country, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of capital Tallinn, the city is the centre of southern Estonia. The Emajõgi river, which connects the two largest lakes of Estonia, crosses Tartu. The city is served by Tartu Airport.
Historical names of the town include Tarbatu, an Estonian fortress founded in the 5th century, Yuryev (Russian: Юрьев) named c. 1030 by Yaroslav I the Wise, and Dorpat as first known by the German crusaders in the 13th century.
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