Omniva Celebrates the Centenary of Tartu’s Vabadussild Bridge with a Historical Commemorative Envelope
Omniva is issuing a special commemorative envelope today, 5 January, featuring Tartu’s historical Vabadussild (Liberty Bridge), alongside definitive stamps depicting the coat of arms of the Republic of Estonia. Vabadussild was the firstreinforced concrete bridge in Estonia, opened exactly 100 years ago. The envelope was designed by Birgit Pajust, with the concept and text authored by Hannes Nagel.
Although the current Vabadussild is a modern structure, its location has played a landmark role in the development of Estonian engineering and urban history. The centenary envelope is dedicated to the bridge’s first reinforced concreteincarnation, completed in 1926 but destroyed during World War II. The front of the envelope offers a glimpse into the past—capturing the atmosphere of the 1930s and the bridge as it once towered over the Emajõgi River. On thereverse, enthusiasts can read a detailed historical overview of the bridge’s fate, including its destruction twice during the war.
“The envelope celebrating the centenary of Vabadussild is a tribute to a pioneering achievement in Estonian engineering—it was our first reinforced concrete bridge. Although the structure opened in 1926 was destroyed in the fires of war, its historical legacy lives on both in Tartu’s urban space and now on this special envelope,” said Hannes Nagel, Head of Philately at Omniva. “And what could be a more dignified way to celebrate this centenary than by issuing a historical envelope together with our definitive stamps featuring the national coat of arms. The envelope, paired with these symbolic stamps, helps keep this heritage alive for collectors, architecture enthusiasts, and those interested in Tartu’s history,” Nagel added.
The envelope features a photograph by Eduard Selleke and has a print run of 1,000 copies. The edition is made particularly valuable by the First Day Stamp, which depicts the original historical shape of the bridge. The postmark includesthe date 05.01.2026, the location Tartu, and the precise geographical coordinates marking the bridge’s historical site on the Emajõgi River.
In conjunction with the Vabadussild envelope, Omniva is releasing definitive stamps with a coat of arms motif in shades of yellow and green, also designed by Birgit Pajust. The yellow stamp, issued on 5 January, is priced at €1.80 with a print run of 30,000. This stamp is suitable for domestic postage (the rate for which will increase starting 1 February). The green stamp is priced at €0.40, with a print run of 30,000.
The stamps and commemorative envelopes will be available starting January 5 at the Omniva online shop and post offices across Estonia. First Day Stamp is available exclusively at the Tartu Kvartal post office.
In 2026, Omniva will issue 46 stamps celebrating significant national and societal events. Omniva’s stamps are printed at Vaba Maa printing house, using FSC-certified paper to ensure responsible forestry practices.