Medieval Old Town

Toom-Kooli 6 Map
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tallinna.toom@eelk.ee · Homepage

The gleaming, Medieval church that stands at the centre of Toompea hill is best known by locals as the 'Toomkirik' (Dome Church), and it's the main Lutheran church in Estonia. Established sometime before 1233 and repeatedly rebuilt since, the church displays a mix of architectural styles. Its vaulted main body dates to the 14th century, while its baroque tower was an addition from the late 1770s. ...

Lühike jalg 9a Map

On the slopes of Toompea hill between the city wall and Lower Town is an open, garden-like area that happens to be the legendary birthplace of the Danish flag. This relaxing spot is called the Danish King's Garden because it was supposedly here that King Valdemar II of Denmark and his troops camped before conquering Toompea in 1219. More importantly, a well-known legend both in Estonia and Denmark ...

Müürivahe 33 Map
Ph: +3725112536
info.mauritanum@mail.ee · Homepage

The inner chambers of the Dominican Monastery once included three wings, together called the Claustrum, of which the east wing still remains. It consists of a monks’ dormitory, library, refectory, prior’s living quarters and other rooms, all of which provide an interesting view into the lives of medieval monks. Visitors shouldn’t miss the mysterious “Energy Pillar” in the cellar, thought to be a source ...

Vene 16 Map
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info@kloostri.ee · Homepage

You won't be blamed for imagining you can hear monks chanting as you wander through the corridors of St. Catherine’s Monastery. Established in 1246, this is Tallinn’s oldest intact building. Nowadays it operates as a museum (pre-arranged tours only). Its beautiful courtyard, which is accessed through the courtyard of the adjacent Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, is one of the most captivating ...

Pikk 17 Map
Ph: +3726411630
post@ajaloomuuseum.ee · Homepage

This extensive museum presents Estonia's history from prehistoric times right up to the end of the 20th century. Films and interactive displays show how people here lived, fought and survived over the last 11,000 years. The museum is housed in the 15th-century Great Guild Hall, itself a spectacular relic of Tallinn's past.

Pikk 70 Map
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info@meremuuseum.ee · Homepage

Standing guard at the north end of Pikk street are two of Tallinn's most impressive defensive structures, the Great Coastal Gate (Suur Rannavärav) and Fat Margaret tower (Paks Margareeta). They were built not only to defend the city from the seaward side of town, but also to impress any visitors arriving via the harbour. The Great Coastal Gate, along with the Viru Gates, are the last of six gates ...

Müürivahe 48
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info@hellemann.ee · Homepage

Another good opportunity to get a glimpse of the town's Medieval defenses can be found at the Hellemann Tower, which stands adjacent Müürivahe street next to Old Town's knit market. The 3-storey tower dates back to the 14th century and at different times was used as a prison and a weapons store. Nowadays it serves a more peaceful purpose: housing an art gallery. Visitors not only get to see the ...

Pühavaimu 2 Map
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tallinna.puhavaimu@eelk.ee · Homepage

Just off Town Hall Square stands a radiant, white church with an octagonal tower. This is the 14th-century Holy Spirit Church, a spectacular structure both inside and out. The elaborate painted clock on its façade is Tallinn's oldest public timepiece, dating to the late 17th century. But don't miss the carved wood interior which includes such treasures as a unique 15th century altar by the famous ...

Pikk 26 Map
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info@mustpeademaja.ee · Homepage

One look at this beautiful, Renaissance-style guild hall with its bright red, green and gold door is enough to explain why it's a regular feature on every Tallinn postcard stand. This was the historic home of the Brotherhood of Black Heads, a Medieval guild made up of young, single merchants and foreigners. The guild's patron saint was the Moorish St. Mauritius - a profile of his head is pictured on ...

Vene 12 Map

Easily the most picturesque of Old Town's lanes, St. Catherine's is a narrow walkway that runs between Vene and Müürivahe streets, along the back of what used to be St. Catherine's Church. What makes the passage particularly interesting is that it's home to the St. Catherine's Guild, a collection of craft workshops where artists use traditional methods to create and sell glassware, hats, quilts, ...

Komandandi tee 2 Map
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kok@linnamuuseum.ee · Homepage

The name of this massive, 38m-high cannon tower literally means “Peek into the Kitchen.” It was so high that Medieval guards joked they could see right down the chimneys and into the kitchens of the houses below. Kiek in de Kök was originally built in the 1470s, but quickly expanded and strengthened, giving it walls that were 4m thick. The investment paid off: During the Livonian war in the late ...

Lühike jalg 9a Map
Ph: +3726440896

This square tower next to the Danish King's Garden dates to the 14th century. Naming it “Maiden's” or “Virgin's” tower is an example of Medieval irony: it used to house a prison for prostitutes. In the 1990s it was home to a popular tourist café, but it has remained empty for the last several years. Locals insist it's haunted by a monk-like figure who has been seen drinking wine in one of the chambers ...

Vene 6 Map
Ph: +372 504 6113
jaan.parn@mail.ee · Homepage

Hidden in a quiet, Old Town courtyard is this site dedicated to the master craftsmen of old. Here visitors can shop for handicrafts and jewellery, view art exhibitions, and sample the heavenly confections created in the popular Chocolaterie Café. Comfortable accommodation is available in the courtyard’s guesthouse. Tallinn Card: Free postcard from Masters' Courtyard office.

Niguliste 3 Map
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niguliste@ekm.ee · Homepage

Saints, dancing skeletons and silver – not to mention the occasional organ concert – are the main attractions at this imposing, 13th-century church. Founded by German merchant/settlers from the island of Gotland sometime around 1230, the sturdy church was designed to double as a fortress in the days before the town wall was built. The building survived the reformationist looting of 1523, but wasn't ...

Lossiplats 10 Map
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nevsky@hot.ee · Homepage

This spectacular, onion-domed structure perched atop Toompea Hill is Estonia's main Russian Orthodox cathedral. It's also by far the grandest, most opulent Orthodox church in Tallinn. Built in 1900, when Estonia was part of the tsarist Russian empire, the cathedral was originally intended as a symbol of the empire's dominance – both religious and political – over this increasingly unruly Baltic territory. ...

Vene 24 Map
Ph: +372 644 1945

Find this gorgeous, neoclassical building at the north end of Vene street. The church, with its twin bell towers and copper dome, was designed by St. Petersburg court architect Luigi Rusca and built in 1820-27. The church's history, however, goes back much further. As far back as the 12th century, a marketplace for Russian merchants operated here in the Sulevimäe and Vene St. area of Tallinn. In ...

Lai 50 Map
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oleviste@oleviste.ee · Homepage

Once upon a time, from 1549 to 1625 to be exact, this 13th-century church was the tallest building in the world. But its gigantic, 159-metre spire, which was probably meant to act as a signpost for approaching ships, also turned out to be a very effective lightning rod. Throughout the church's history its steeple has been hit repeatedly by lightning, completely burning down the structure three times.

Vene 17 Map
Ph: +372 6155193 · Fax: +372 644 1574
info@linnamuuseum.ee · Homepage

Tallinn’s most modern and best-presented historical museum introduces all the vital aspects of the city’s past and its development. Various sectors of medieval society are explained using a combination of texts, artefacts, life-sized models and sound effects. High-quality displays on the upper floors are devoted to 20th-century life, its turbulent wars, Soviet occupation, and finally Estonian independence. ...

Lossi plats 1a Map
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ekskursioon@riigikogu.ee · Homepage

Perched on a limestone cliff and towering over the rest of the city, Toompea Castle has always been the seat of power in Estonia. Ever since the German Knights of the Sword first built a stone fortress here in 1227-29, every foreign empire that ruled Estonia used the castle as its base. Today, appropriately, it's home to Estonia's Parliament. The castle has been revamped countless times through ...

Rannamäe tee, Nunne Str. Map

Towers Square gets its name from the Town Wall towers that border one of its sides, and the fact that a number of the church spires can be seen from here. In 1931-33 the square was turned into communal park. The area was refurbished in 1990 and a circular plaza was added in 2009. Now the square boasts playgrounds for children and fitness areas, and has become known for the Tallinn International Flower Festival, which takes place here every spring and summer...

Raekoja plats 1 Map
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raekoda@tallinnlv.ee · Homepage

Nothing says power like the impressive, Gothic town hall that dominates medieval Tallinn's main square. It was built in 1402-1404 as a meeting place for the ruling burgermeisters and has been a showpiece of the city ever since. Look closely at the top of the spire to spot the Old Thomas weather vane, a symbol of Tallinn who has been standing at attention here since 1530. Nowadays the Town Hall is the ...

Raekoja plats 11 Map
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rae@apotheka.ee · Homepage

Open since as far back as 1422, this curious little shop on the corner of Town Hall Square is in fact the oldest continuously running pharmacy in Europe. Ten generations of the same family, the Burcharts, operated it from1581 to 1911. It was so famous in its day that the Russian tsar used to order medicines from here. Remedies sold at the pharmacy in Medieval times included snakeskin potion, mummy ...

Raekoja plats Map

Picturesque Town Hall Square has been the undisputed hub of Old Town for the last eight centuries. Surrounded by elaborate merchant houses and, in summer, packed with café tables, it's a natural magnet for tourists. Historically it served as a market and meeting place, and was the site of at least one execution (resulting from a dispute over a bad omelette). Find the round stone marked with a compass ...

Viru Map

This pair of picturesque, ivy-covered towers at the beginning of Viru Street – one of the main pedestrian arteries into Old Town – is often the very first glimpse visitors get of historic Tallinn. Anyone passing between them couldn't be blamed for thinking they've left the 21st century behind and landed smack in the middle of the 18th. The towers are actually only the foregates of what was a much ...