The story of Tartu's Baltic German Oettingen family comes alive in a new book

The Baltic German Oettingen family, which held a notable place in Tartu's history, is back in the spotlight thanks to a new book published in May 2026. The extraordinary activities of the family's three brothers have left their mark on buildings on both Vallikraavi and Tiigi streets.

The Oettingen family, among Tartu's most remarkable residents of Baltic German origin, is once again a topic of conversation, with a new book published this May bringing readers the extraordinary life stories of three brothers and their legacy.

The Oettingen family's impact is still visible in Tartu today: their former residences on Vallikraavi and Tiigi streets remind passersby of the role played by Baltic German nobility in shaping the city. Now, however, their story has also been put into print in fresh covers.

The new work is the latest link in a long chain of writings that have kept the memory of the Oettingens alive. The book's publication in May 2026 offers both history enthusiasts and readers connected to Tartu the opportunity to become familiar with the extraordinary aspects of the three brothers' activities in greater detail than ever before.