Kiek in de Kök was the most powerful cannon tower in 16th-century Northern Europe. It is written in the chronicles that Kiek in de Kök was once the most powerful tower along the Baltic shores.
The round cannon tower, built in the latter part of the 15th century, had a diameter of 17 meters. Its height is 38 meters and its walls are 4 meters thick. The tower was just high enough that its guards had a view into the kitchens of neighbouring buildings. Of course the view also extended to the enemy’s rear. The tower’s name, "peek in the kitchen", comes from its height.

The tower was partially destroyed during the Livonian War (1558-1583), but the building itself did not fall. The tower has been rebuilt several times, but up until the 20th century, it was still being used as a gun powder storage and storehouse. Both the exterior and interior of the tower are restored to their 17th century appearance.

Kiek in de Kök, situated on the slope of Toompea Hill, is the most powerful defense tower in the Baltic region. Today the tower holds a permanent exhibit on the emergence of Tallinn, on three floors, tells the story of the birth and development of Tallinn and the most important military events from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The external wall still holds stone and iron cannonballs from Russian tsar Ivan IV.

This museum is also the starting place for visitors who want to tour the tunnels hidden under Toompea.