We know Estonia
26.10.2015 | Culture

Must-see sights of the Old Town

Must-see sights of the Old Town

Viewing Platforms

Kohtu Platform – offers one of the best views of the Old Town. The impressive tower of the Niguliste Church seems at arms length. The red tiled roofs with white edges are characteristic of Tallinn. Tallinn

Patkul Platform – shows both a view of St Olaf’s Church, and part of the city wall. The church was even taller in medieval times and the tallest building in the world in its time. Nowhere else can you see the city wall from a better angle. Tallinn

Kiriku Platform – the platform at the end of Kiriku Street faces west and offers a view of splendid and romantic sunsets.

Raekoja plats

Tallinn’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) is Northern Europe’s best-preserved medieval town hall square and was built at the beginning of the 1400s.Katariina käik Blink and you might miss this narrow passageway off of Vene. Built in 1246, St. Catherine’s Monastery (Püha Katariina klooster) is the oldest building in Tallinn. This passageway is also known as the Latin Quarter of Tallinn, and where you can find one of Tallinn’s first Italian restaurants. Tallinn Old Town

Raeapteek

The Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek) is one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, which still operates in its original location, in the Town Hall Square. Tallinn Old Town

Toompea Castle

The Tall Hermann Tower (15th century) on the southwest corner of the hill, and the blue, black, and white Estonian flag signify independence and freedom for Estonians. Today, Toompea is the centre of Estonian government and the Riigikogu (parliament). Look for the pink building behind the Russian Orthodox Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral. Tallinn

Kiek in de Kök and the Bastion Tunnels

The Kiek in de Kök tower is the entrance to historical underground bastion tunnels. In Soviet times they were supposed to serve as bomb shelters and protect the communist elite in case of a war. Kiek in de Kök means, “look into the kitchen” in Low German, as this was one of the main things soldiers spent their time doing while on the lookout for intruders. Kiek in de Kök dates back to the 15th century. The tower is 38 metres tall, and the walls are four metres thick.

Komandandi tee 2, Tallinn

Check on the map

St Olaf’s Church

(Oleviste kirik) Climb the stairs of the St Olaf Church and you will discover not only the lower town beneath but also the magnificent palaces facing the slopes of Toompea Hill, and the upper town. The old town of Tallinn is divided into a lower and upper part. The lower town was inhabited by hanseatic traders and the upper town, or Toompea was inhabited by nobility.

Lai 50, Tallinn Old Town

Check on the map

 KGB Museum

 A fascinating museum about Soviet history in Estonia is located on the top floor of the Viru Hotel. The hotel rooms were under KGB surveillance. The rooms were equipped with microphones, and small holes were made in the walls, where cameras could be placed to take pictures of hotel guests. The museum is only accessible by guided tour. Tours run daily and are held in English, Finnish, Russian, and Estonian. English tours book up quickly so bookings are recommended.

Viru väljak 4, Tallinn

Check on the map

Paks Margareeta

Fat Margaret (Paks Margareeta) is the most important fortification tower in Tallinn. She was built in the early 1500s. The diameter of the tower is 25 metres and the walls are up to 6.5 metres thick! She was constructed to protect Tallinn from intruders from the sea. Fat Margaret is often the main entrance gate and first encounter for visitors to the Old Town in Tallinn, if arriving by sea.

Pikk 70,Tallinn

Check on the map

Katariina käik

Blink and you might miss this narrow passageway off of Vene. Built in 1246, St. Catherine’s Monastery (Püha Katariina klooster) is the oldest building in Tallinn. This passageway is also known as the Latin Quarter of Tallinn, and where you can find one of Tallinn’s first Italian restaurants.

Tallinn Old Town 

 

TEXT : KRISTINA LUPP, PHOTOS: ANDREI CHERTKOV

To learn more about this and similar topics

19.3.2024 | Culture

Megadeth’s David Ellefson to perform in Tallinn

Megadeth’s David Ellefson to perform in Tallinn

Grammy-winning bassist and co-founder of the iconic metal band “Megadeth David Ellefson is set to perform at Helitehas in … Read more

18.3.2024 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

21.02–30.03, Pärnu Fotofest 2024, Pärnu 07.03–23.04, Tribute to Queen, around Estonia 09.03–18.05, December Rain Ballet, Tartu 18.03, Yann Tiersen … Read more

16.3.2024 | Culture

Tickets for the Food Film Festival now on sale

Tickets for the Food Film Festival now on sale

This year’s Food Film Festival, which will take place from April 10-14, will take food lovers on journeys to … Read more

15.3.2024 | Culture

Celebrate Maslenitsa this Saturday at the Estonian Open Air Museum

Celebrate Maslenitsa this Saturday at the Estonian Open Air Museum

This Saturday, March 16, you will be able to celebrate and learn about the Christian traditions of Maslenitsa at … Read more

14.3.2024 | Culture

World-class funk music comes to Estonia

World-class funk music comes to Estonia

The vibrant FinEst Funk Festival, which promises to bring a fusion of funk, soul, and jazz melodies, will take … Read more

14.3.2024 | Culture

Rakvere to host its very first contemporary dance festival

Rakvere to host its very first contemporary dance festival

The inaugural Rakvere Contemporary Dance Festival KANTS is set to take place from March 15-17. The new event marks … Read more

13.3.2024 | Culture

The Rolling Stones to rock Kumu 

The Rolling Stones to rock Kumu 

Martin Scorsese assembled a dream team of cinematographers to capture a Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon Theater in … Read more

13.3.2024 | Culture

Erkki-Sven Tüür’s “Tormiloits” to be the centerpiece of a concert

Erkki-Sven Tüür’s “Tormiloits” to be the centerpiece of a concert

The Vanemuine Symphony Orchestra will perform Erkki-Sven Tüür’s “Tormiloits” at two concerts in Estonia this week. The first in … Read more