Welcome to discovering artworks depicting Viljandi!

On this page you will find a selection of paintings and drawings by artists who have captured Viljandi over the past 200 years using various techniques. The first images were made before the advent of photography, and the latest are from 2000. The authors of the works are either artists who have lived in Viljandi, passed through, stayed here for a shorter or longer period of time, or were commissioned to create works. The purpose of creating digital educational resources was to invite everyone to look at and compare Viljandi before and now, to see what has changed, and at the same time to learn more about the art history of romantic Viljandi. The works of art were created in Viljandi’s Old Town and the Castle Hills, offering beautiful views of the lake, the town, and the castle ruins. By accessing a QR code with a smart device at the observation point, you will be shown a work of art that was created there and find out more about the artist and their work, based on the information that was available to the creators of the page. The observation points are hypothetical and as close as possible to the presumed location where the artist once stood and captured the view on canvas. The teaching resource is based on the book Viljandi Motif, by Mari Vallikivi, published in 2020. To get started, select a map and set a route. Each of the 17 observation points, located by street name, is marked with a QR code. By opening the code with your smart device, you can see a work of art and learn about the life and work of its author.

Digital educational resources have been developed as part of a Master’s thesis in the Teacher of Arts and Technology master’s curriculum at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. The aim of the research project was to examine the possibilities of conducting an art class in the form of outdoor learning using smart devices and to determine whether this type of learning method is of interest to students. The results showed that this teaching method motivates children to act and discover. The QR-coded learning trail can be integrated with other subjects, encouraging children to move about, while providing opportunities for exploration and discovery, as well as serving as a basis for teachers to prepare different tasks.

Anneli Pevgonen, the author of the Diploma thesis, wishes you pleasant experiences and enrichment through knowledge about the art history of the small town of Viljandi.