The Main Building

The Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) is located in the right-hand wing of the building on 12 Riia Street in Tartu, Estonia. BALTDEFCOL's location is quite historical, and the building shares significant historical value in Tartu and Estonia.

During the Swedish rule in Estonia, Riia Street was located in the hub of Tartu, and the inn-post station was located at the current place of the building. In 1843, a new post office was built. During the 1920s, there was a bus station for rural lines, and in the 30s, it was decided to build the Tartu headquarters of the Estonian Defence League.
In the 1950s, the effects of the Second World War were still clearly visible. Many buildings had been destroyed, leaving a significant amount of empty space around. The building complex that the BALTDEFCOL now inhabits was originally built for the Estonian Defence Forces in 1939. During the Soviet occupation, the building was repurposed and used by the University of Tartu as a faculty for agriculture. Upon regaining independence, the building was returned to its original owner. The Estonian Ministry of Defence soon began renovating the building, allocating half of it to the Baltic Defence College and the other half to the Estonian Military Academy.

In its current form, the Riia Street 12 building was completed in 1940 according to the project of the architects Alar Kotli and Elmar Lohu. The building was planned for the Estonian Defence League, but it was taken over by the occupation authorities. At first, it was called the Worker's House. In 1941, the building was damaged during the war and was restored by the Germans. During the German occupation, the commissariat operated in the building. The building was also damaged during the battles of 1944, and after the restoration, the regional office of the Academy of Sciences of the Estonian SSR was located there. The building housed regional administrative institutions – for example, the court and various institutions of the Communist Party apparatus. In addition to other features of the Soviet occupation, a Lenin monument was erected in front of the building in 1948, replaced by a new one in 1953.

Educational life began in the building at Riia Street 12 in 1954. Then, it became the main building of the Estonian Agricultural Academy. The building remained in the hands of the Academy until the mid-90s, and many graduates still visit their „old schoolhouse “. The building was used as a telephone exchange from the 1920s. Radio stations also operated in the building until the early 90s.

In 1995, the Estonian Ministry of Defence took possession of the educational building on Riia Street. In addition to the Baltic Defence College, the Estonian National Defence Academy (now Estonian Military Academy) and the regional headquarters of the Defence League also started operating in the building.  Read more about BALTDEFCOL's journey.

The City Hub

In 2024, BALTDEFCOL opened The City Hub in the city centre of Tartu.  A modern and centrally located BALDEFCOL facility enhances students' learning experience and provides access to various resources and amenities in Tartu. As the number of students keeps growing, acquiring additional space to rent is a practical solution to ensure that BALTDEFCOL can continue to meet the needs of its students effectively.

Classrooms and Syndicate Rooms


It has been a custom here at the BALTDEFCOL that we name our classrooms and syndicate rooms based on the persons or events that have played a significant role in the history of the Baltic states or the BALTDEFCOL itself. 

Key educational activities occur in the Björn von Sydow Hall (one hundred seats) and Admiral Cowan Hall (fifty seats). The former bears the name of the former Swedish Minister of Defence, and the latter was named after British R. Adm. Sir Walter Cowan, who assisted on behalf of the United Kingdom to Estonia and Latvia during their respective wars of independence in 1919-1920.

Björn von Sydow Hall

Björn von Sydow Hall
Von Sydow Hall is a prominent lecture room located on the fourth floor of the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL). It commemorates Björn von Sydow, who played a pivotal role in the establishment and development of the College. As Sweden’s Minister of Defence and representative of the Supporting Lead Nation for the BALTDEFCOL Project, Björn von Sydow signed the BALTDEFCOL’s first Memorandum of Understanding on 12 June 1998 in Brussels.

His commitment to the institution was further demonstrated when he participated in its inaugural seminar, “The Role of Defence Structures in Foreign Countries,” on 31 August 1998. The hall was officially opened by Björn von Sydow on 16 October 2001, marking a significant milestone in the BALTDEFCOL’s history and symbolising enduring Swedish support for Baltic defence education.

Baltic Way Room

Baltic Way Room at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) is named in tribute to the historic peaceful demonstration known as the Baltic Way—or Baltic Chain—where approximately two million people joined hands across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on 23 August 1989. This human chain, stretching from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius, powerfully symbolised the unity and shared aspiration for re-independence among the Baltic peoples. It drew global attention, emphasising that Baltic independence was not only a political goal but a deeply moral cause.

The room features a striking wall painting by Ms Kamille Saabre, vividly depicting a scene from the Baltic Way. This artwork is a lasting reminder of the courage, solidarity, and peaceful resistance that define the region’s modern history.

Brigadier General Michael H. Clemmesen Room

Brigadier General Michael H. Clemmesen Room at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) is named in honour of BG (ret) Michael H. Clemmesen, the BALTDEFCOL’s founding Commandant and a key figure in its establishment and early development. His leadership from 1998 to 2004 laid the foundation for the institution’s enduring role in regional defence education.

The room was officially inaugurated on 16 August 2019, marking the 20th anniversary of the launch of the BALTDEFCOL’s first and most significant course—originally the Senior Staff Course, now known as the Joint Command and General Staff Course. The ceremony was attended by BG Clemmesen himself and a number of distinguished guests, celebrating his vision, dedication, and lasting impact.

Admiral Cowan Hall

Admiral Cowan Hall

Admiral Cowan-Hall is a distinguished lecture room at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL), named in honour of Admiral Sir Walter Cowan. Admiral Cowan commanded the British naval squadron in Estonian waters during the Estonian War of Independence (1918–1920), playing a pivotal role in supporting Estonia’s fight for sovereignty. T

The hall commemorates his legacy and serves as a symbolic space for academic discourse and strategic reflection, linking historical military cooperation with contemporary defence education.

City of Tartu Room

City of Tartu Room at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) was officially inaugurated on 7 March 2024. The room features a mural by Tartu city artist Ingmar Järve, unveiled during the opening ceremony.

This artwork captures iconic landmarks of the city—such as the Arch Bridge, Town Hall, University of Tartu, Botanical Garden, and surrounding parks—rendered in a simplified style. The minimalist approach invites viewers to engage with the piece personally, filling in the missing streets and details with their own memories and experiences of Tartu.

Hans Hækkerup Hall

Hans Hækkerup Hall at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) is dedicated to Hans Hækkerup, former Danish Minister of Defence, in recognition of his vital role in supporting the Baltic States’ accession to NATO in the late 1990s and his instrumental contribution to the founding of the BALTDEFCOL.

The hall was inaugurated during a commemorative event attended by a distinguished group of guests. A highlight of the ceremony was the presence of Tue Hækkerup, son of Hans Hækkerup, who expressed his gratitude to the BALTDEFCOL for honouring his father’s legacy. He shared his belief that his father’s vision for the Baltic States would continue to live on through the room and the mission of the BALTDEFCOL.