TALLINN
A GEM IN THE BALTIC
Information
Read
A UNESCO listed old town. One of Europe’s most complete walled cities. Has a German name, ‘Reval’, which coexisted with Tallinn until 1918. [1]
Estonian Song & Dance Celebration: The biggest cultural celebration in Estonia. The tradition begun in 1869. It only comes in July during the 4th and 9th years of every decade. The event comprises of 40,000 singers and dancers.
Old Town Days: A week long festival in late May/early June. The event comprises of dancing, concerts, costumed performers, historical tours, and storytelling. [1] [2]
The area of Tallinn was first settled by the by Finno-Ugric people around 2500BC. Around 800AD, it’s likely that there was a proto-Estonian trading settlement. In the 11th century, a wood fortress was built in Toompea, a hill overlooking Tallinn. In 1219, Denmark conquered Northern Estonia under King Waldemar II. Although they met tough resistance in Tallinn and were on the verge of retreating, they were able to defeat the natives through the help of ‘God’. It’s believed that a red flag with a white cross fell from the sky and into their bishop’s hand. Taking this as a sign of god’s assistance, they won the battle and gained a national flag (the ‘dannebrog’). The Danish built their own fortress on Toompea, and gave Tallinn its name, ‘Taani linn’. The word refers to ‘danish town’ in Estonian. [1] [2] [3] [4]
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In 1227, the ‘Livonian Brothers of the Sword’, a Germanic order, conquered the town, and built the first stone fortress on Toompea. From there, German traders arrived from Visby (an island in Sweden) and established a colony of 200 people beneath the fortress. In 1238, Tallinn returned to the Danish. In 1285, the town joined the German-dominated Hanseatic League, a trade origination between Novgorod, Pihkva, and Western Europe. In the mid-14th century, the Danes sold northern Estonia to the Teutonic Order, another Germanic order. Tallinn became a major Hanseatic town with a population of 4000. Conflict began to emerge from knights and the bishop on Toompea, which led to German craftsmen and merchants in the lower town to build a fortified wall to separate themselves. The town continued to prosper, and it became one of the biggest towns in northern Europe. However, in the 16th century the Hanseatic League became weakened, and Russians, Swedes, Danes, Poles, and Lithuanians fought for the Baltic region.
From 1561, Sweden was in control of Tallinn. It withstood a 29-week siege by Russia’s Tsar ‘Ivan the Terrible’ between 1570 and 1571. However, in 1710, it surrendered to Peter the Great, when the town was devastated by a plague. In 1870, a railway from St Petersburg and Tallinn was completed, and the town became a chief port of the Russian Empire. By the beginning of the 20th century, the town had big shipyards and a working class of over 100,000. After WWII, the town severely affected with thousands of buildings destroyed from the soviet bombing in 1944.
The town and Estonian territory were annexed to the Soviet Union, and it became the USSR’s biggest grain-handling port. The city greatly expanded to nearly 500,000 people from 175,000 in 1937. Much of the expansion came from Russian peasants. Soviet Style settlements began to emerge into the suburbs which diminished the cultural life in the centre. Once Estonia became independent in 1991, the capital transformed into a mid-size city, with a restored old town and a modern business district. [1]
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ATTRACTIONS
Read
An onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral that was built in 1900. [1] [2]
17th-century Swedish-built tunnels. The tunnels connect the bastions that circle the town’s walls. Over the years, it has been used for fallout shelters, homeless refuges, and rehearsal spaces. [1] [2]
An ethnographic and architectural complex. The museum contains 80 historic Estonian buildings that have been gathered across the country to represent different regions of Estonia. In the summer, the staff performs traditional activities among the wooden farmhouses such as weaving and blacksmithing. [1] [2]
A large, paved plaza. The square was once used for staging displays of Soviet enthusiasm. Now, it’s used for summer concerts, skateboarding, impromptu ball games, and watching events on the big screen. There’s a gigantic glass cross that honours the Estonian War of Independence. [1] [2]
The oldest church in Tallinn, dating in the 13th century. The building has an elegant blue-and-gold clock. Johann Koell, a former pastor here, is considered the author of the first Estonian book, a religious instruction published in 1535. [1] [2]
Built in 1972 and was Estonia’s first skyscraper. It was also the only place for tourists to stay in Tallinn at the time, as it made it easier to keep check on them. On the 23rd floor was the KGB’s ‘spy base’. [1] [2]
2km east from the old town. The park comprises of 70 hectares with a baroque palace (Kadriorg Palace). It was commissioned by the Russian Tsar Peter the Great for his wife Catherine I just after his conquest of Estonia. The name ‘Kardriorg’ means ‘Catherine’s Valley’ in Estonian. The palace was built between 1718 to 1736, and now is an art museum. The museum contains Dutch, German, and Italian paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and Russian art from 18th to early 20th century. [1] [2]
A five-storey cannon tower that was built in the 15th century. The tower was once the town’s most formidable defence. Its German name roughly translates to ‘peep into the kitchen’. That is, observers could supposedly peep (kiek) through the lower town’s kitchens (kök). Now, it’s a museum that focuses on Tallinn’s military history and defences. [1] [2]
A futuristic seven-story building. The architecture comprises of limestone, glass, and copper. This art museum contains the country’s largest collection of Estonian art. Every year the museum hosts 11 or 12 temporary exhibits. [1] [2]
Tallinn’s remaining medieval walls that runs along the north western border of the Old Town (1.9km). [1] [2]
A 19th century sea fort for the defences of the Russian Empire. It was also used as a prison by the Estonian Republic, the Nazis, and the Soviets. Its Grim interior makes it an unsettling exhibition. You can view the courtyard walkways, solitary cells, washroom administrative rooms, and the execution chamber. [1] [2]
Tallinn’s largest and most popular beach (6km from the city centre). It was used for the sailing events of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. International events are still held here. [1] [2]
When this cavernous, triple-domed building was completed in 1917, its reinforced-concrete shell-frame construction was unique in the world. Resembling a classic Bond-villain lair, the vast space was completely restored and opened to the public in 2012 as a museum celebrating Estonia’s rich seafaring heritage. Highlights include exploring the cramped corridors of a 1930s naval submarine, an elegant collection of ice-yachts, and many interactive exhibits. [1] [2]
Initially built by the Danes in 1233. However, its current exterior is mainly from the 15th century. Its tower was completed in 1779. [1] [2]
From 1549 until 1625, this church was one of the tallest buildings in the world, peaking to 159m. However, its spire was struck by lightening which has reduced its size to 124 metres. You can climb the 258-step staircase to the top of the church for stunning views of Toompea and the lower town’s rooftops. [1] [2]
An open-air amphitheatre that hosts the National Song Festival and other big events. The complex was built in 1959 with a capacity of 75,000 people. [1] [2]
A 1.2 sq km garden in the Pirita River valley. The garden contains 8000 species of plants among the greenhouses and various themed gardens. [1] [2]
The oldest continually operating pharmacy in Europe. The exact date is unclear; however, it had its third owner by 1422. In 1583 Johann Burchardt was the owner of the pharmacy, and his descendants continued to operate the pharmacy until 1913, which was 10 generations in total. [1] [2]
All medieval roads lead to the town hall square (Raekoja plats). Markets have been established here since the 11th century. The main attraction is the Gothic town hall, which was built in 1404. It’s the only remaining Gothic town hall in northern Europe. The building contains an elegant 64m minaret-like structure that has an iconic monument on the top. The monument, which was built in 1530, is called Old Thomas (Vana Toomas), and it’s the symbol and guardian of Tallinn. You can enjoy the same views as Thomas by climbing the 115 steps. Inside the building, you can visit the trade hall and the council chamber. [1] [2]
TRIPS
Read
The country’s largest national park at 725 sq km. The rural landscape contains forests, lakes, rivers, walking trails, and areas of historical and cultural interest. This includes the Palmse Manor, which was built in 1720. The house is a museum for furniture and clothing. [1] [2]
Estonia’s 3rd biggest and most unique city. The town is mostly populated by Russian-speakers. The bridge at the end of the town’s main street is the connection to Russia, and the Russian town of Ivangorod. Besides its stunning castle and baroque Old Town Hall, the town’s notable architecture was destroyed during WWII. The castle was built by Danes at the end of the 13th century and was further developed by the Germans, Swedes, and Russians. [1] [2]
GUIDE
INFORMATION
A UNESCO listed old town. One of Europe’s most complete walled cities. Has a German name, ‘Reval’, which coexisted with Tallinn until 1918. [1]
Estonian Song & Dance Celebration: The biggest cultural celebration in Estonia. The tradition begun in 1869. It only comes in July during the 4th and 9th years of every decade. The event comprises of 40,000 singers and dancers.
Old Town Days: A week long festival in late May/early June. The event comprises of dancing, concerts, costumed performers, historical tours, and storytelling. [1] [2]
The area of Tallinn was first settled by the by Finno-Ugric people around 2500BC. Around 800AD, it’s likely that there was a proto-Estonian trading settlement. In the 11th century, a wood fortress was built in Toompea, a hill overlooking Tallinn. In 1219, Denmark conquered Northern Estonia under King Waldemar II. Although they met tough resistance in Tallinn and were on the verge of retreating, they were able to defeat the natives through the help of ‘God’. It’s believed that a red flag with a white cross fell from the sky and into their bishop’s hand. Taking this as a sign of god’s assistance, they won the battle and gained a national flag (the ‘dannebrog’). The Danish built their own fortress on Toompea, and gave Tallinn its name, ‘Taani linn’. The word refers to ‘danish town’ in Estonian. [1] [2] [3] [4]
[expand title=””]
In 1227, the ‘Livonian Brothers of the Sword’, a Germanic order, conquered the town, and built the first stone fortress on Toompea. From there, German traders arrived from Visby (an island in Sweden) and established a colony of 200 people beneath the fortress. In 1238, Tallinn returned to the Danish. In 1285, the town joined the German-dominated Hanseatic League, a trade origination between Novgorod, Pihkva, and Western Europe. In the mid-14th century, the Danes sold northern Estonia to the Teutonic Order, another Germanic order. Tallinn became a major Hanseatic town with a population of 4000. Conflict began to emerge from knights and the bishop on Toompea, which led to German craftsmen and merchants in the lower town to build a fortified wall to separate themselves. The town continued to prosper, and it became one of the biggest towns in northern Europe. However, in the 16th century the Hanseatic League became weakened, and Russians, Swedes, Danes, Poles, and Lithuanians fought for the Baltic region.
From 1561, Sweden was in control of Tallinn. It withstood a 29-week siege by Russia’s Tsar ‘Ivan the Terrible’ between 1570 and 1571. However, in 1710, it surrendered to Peter the Great, when the town was devastated by a plague. In 1870, a railway from St Petersburg and Tallinn was completed, and the town became a chief port of the Russian Empire. By the beginning of the 20th century, the town had big shipyards and a working class of over 100,000. After WWII, the town severely affected with thousands of buildings destroyed from the soviet bombing in 1944.
The town and Estonian territory were annexed to the Soviet Union, and it became the USSR’s biggest grain-handling port. The city greatly expanded to nearly 500,000 people from 175,000 in 1937. Much of the expansion came from Russian peasants. Soviet Style settlements began to emerge into the suburbs which diminished the cultural life in the centre. Once Estonia became independent in 1991, the capital transformed into a mid-size city, with a restored old town and a modern business district. [1]
[/expand]
ATTRACTIONS
An onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral that was built in 1900. [1] [2]
17th-century Swedish-built tunnels. The tunnels connect the bastions that circle the town’s walls. Over the years, it has been used for fallout shelters, homeless refuges, and rehearsal spaces. [1] [2]
An ethnographic and architectural complex. The museum contains 80 historic Estonian buildings that have been gathered across the country to represent different regions of Estonia. In the summer, the staff performs traditional activities among the wooden farmhouses such as weaving and blacksmithing. [1] [2]
A large, paved plaza. The square was once used for staging displays of Soviet enthusiasm. Now, it’s used for summer concerts, skateboarding, impromptu ball games, and watching events on the big screen. There’s a gigantic glass cross that honours the Estonian War of Independence. [1] [2]
The oldest church in Tallinn, dating in the 13th century. The building has an elegant blue-and-gold clock. Johann Koell, a former pastor here, is considered the author of the first Estonian book, a religious instruction published in 1535. [1] [2]
Built in 1972 and was Estonia’s first skyscraper. It was also the only place for tourists to stay in Tallinn at the time, as it made it easier to keep check on them. On the 23rd floor was the KGB’s ‘spy base’. [1] [2]
2km east from the old town. The park comprises of 70 hectares with a baroque palace (Kadriorg Palace). It was commissioned by the Russian Tsar Peter the Great for his wife Catherine I just after his conquest of Estonia. The name ‘Kardriorg’ means ‘Catherine’s Valley’ in Estonian. The palace was built between 1718 to 1736, and now is an art museum. The museum contains Dutch, German, and Italian paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and Russian art from 18th to early 20th century. [1] [2]
A five-storey cannon tower that was built in the 15th century. The tower was once the town’s most formidable defence. Its German name roughly translates to ‘peep into the kitchen’. That is, observers could supposedly peep (kiek) through the lower town’s kitchens (kök). Now, it’s a museum that focuses on Tallinn’s military history and defences. [1] [2]
A futuristic seven-story building. The architecture comprises of limestone, glass, and copper. This art museum contains the country’s largest collection of Estonian art. Every year the museum hosts 11 or 12 temporary exhibits. [1] [2]
Tallinn’s remaining medieval walls that runs along the north western border of the Old Town (1.9km). [1] [2]
A 19th century sea fort for the defences of the Russian Empire. It was also used as a prison by the Estonian Republic, the Nazis, and the Soviets. Its Grim interior makes it an unsettling exhibition. You can view the courtyard walkways, solitary cells, washroom administrative rooms, and the execution chamber. [1] [2]
Tallinn’s largest and most popular beach (6km from the city centre). It was used for the sailing events of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. International events are still held here. [1] [2]
When this cavernous, triple-domed building was completed in 1917, its reinforced-concrete shell-frame construction was unique in the world. Resembling a classic Bond-villain lair, the vast space was completely restored and opened to the public in 2012 as a museum celebrating Estonia’s rich seafaring heritage. Highlights include exploring the cramped corridors of a 1930s naval submarine, an elegant collection of ice-yachts, and many interactive exhibits. [1] [2]
Initially built by the Danes in 1233. However, its current exterior is mainly from the 15th century. Its tower was completed in 1779. [1] [2]
From 1549 until 1625, this church was one of the tallest buildings in the world, peaking to 159m. However, its spire was struck by lightening which has reduced its size to 124 metres. You can climb the 258-step staircase to the top of the church for stunning views of Toompea and the lower town’s rooftops. [1] [2]
An open-air amphitheatre that hosts the National Song Festival and other big events. The complex was built in 1959 with a capacity of 75,000 people. [1] [2]
A 1.2 sq km garden in the Pirita River valley. The garden contains 8000 species of plants among the greenhouses and various themed gardens. [1] [2]
The oldest continually operating pharmacy in Europe. The exact date is unclear; however, it had its third owner by 1422. In 1583 Johann Burchardt was the owner of the pharmacy, and his descendants continued to operate the pharmacy until 1913, which was 10 generations in total. [1] [2]
All medieval roads lead to the town hall square (Raekoja plats). Markets have been established here since the 11th century. The main attraction is the Gothic town hall, which was built in 1404. It’s the only remaining Gothic town hall in northern Europe. The building contains an elegant 64m minaret-like structure that has an iconic monument on the top. The monument, which was built in 1530, is called Old Thomas (Vana Toomas), and it’s the symbol and guardian of Tallinn. You can enjoy the same views as Thomas by climbing the 115 steps. Inside the building, you can visit the trade hall and the council chamber. [1] [2]
TRIPS
The country’s largest national park at 725 sq km. The rural landscape contains forests, lakes, rivers, walking trails, and areas of historical and cultural interest. This includes the Palmse Manor, which was built in 1720. The house is a museum for furniture and clothing. [1] [2]
Estonia’s 3rd biggest and most unique city. The town is mostly populated by Russian-speakers. The bridge at the end of the town’s main street is the connection to Russia, and the Russian town of Ivangorod. Besides its stunning castle and baroque Old Town Hall, the town’s notable architecture was destroyed during WWII. The castle was built by Danes at the end of the 13th century and was further developed by the Germans, Swedes, and Russians. [1] [2]
Travel to Tallinn
Tallinn, also known as ‘Reval’ by its German name, is the capital of Estonia. Its history begun around 800AD when a proto-Estonian trading settlement arose. In 1219, Denmark conquered Northern Estonia from the help of ‘God’ as a red flag with a white cross fell from the sky and into their bishop’s hand. Taking this as a sign of god’s assistance, they won the battle, gained a national flag, and gave Tallinn its name, ‘Taani linn’. In the mid-14th century, the Danes sold northern Estonia to the Germanic Teutonic Order. In 1561 it was conquered by Sweden until it surrendered to the Russian Empire in 1710. The town then became a chief port city for the empire. During WWII it was annexed to the Soviet Union, and it became the USSR’s biggest grain-handling port. Once Estonia became independent in 1991, the capital transformed into a mid-size city.
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The main attractions of Tallinn lie within its ‘Old Town’. This includes the onion-domed Russian Orthodox Cathedral (Alexander Nevsky Cathedral), the 159m spire church (St Olaf’s Church), and its spacious Town Hall Square. Notable attractions outside the walls include Kadriorg Palace and Tallin’s Song Festival Grounds. In July during the 4th and 9th years of every decade, the ground hosts the Estonian Song & Dance Celebration, which is the biggest cultural celebration in Estonia. Once you’ve seen everything in Tallinn, then it’s worth visiting the country’s largest national park, Lahemaa, and the stunning castle in Narva. Overall, Tallinn is a top European city as it provides the traveller a unique and memorable experience. Its fair to say that I haven’t seen a city like it, which is nice, as European towns can start blending together. I was able to visit the town during the summer and in the winter. The summer is great as the city comes to life with tourism and events, while the winter is more intimate, especially if you go during the Christmas markets. So, in any season Tallinn is great.
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