How Did the 1980 Olympic Regatta Shape Tallinn?
Text Timo Raussi Photos Visit Tallinn / Marko Leppik, Timo Raussi
Linnahall was built as a cultural venue for events held alongside the Olympic sailing competitions. Tickets for guided tours can be purchased at fienta.com by searching for “Linnahall”.
In July, it will be 45 years since the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, and the sailing events held in Tallinn as part of them. Finland won one gold and one bronze medal in the Olympic regatta. But how much did the city transform ahead of the games? Were the 1970s constructions such as the Pirita Yachting Centre, Hotel Olümpia, the TV tower, Linnahall, and the new airport terminal merely propaganda aimed at foreign visitors, or did the residents of Soviet Estonia also benefit from them? In short: yes, they did. This theme is explored in the Estonian Museum of Architecture’s new exhibition—“Tallinn Full Sail”—in Estonian and English.
Ambition and Local Gains
Tallinn experienced an architectural wave ahead of the games, even though only about 40 out of the roughly 120 plans presented to Moscow authorities were approved. A key element in the Olympic preparations was that much of the planning was allowed to be done locally. Alongside the facelift of the cityscape, many projects related to road networks, water supply, and sewage were completed, improving living conditions for Tallinn’s residents. Some of this infrastructure still forms the foundation of the city today.
In addition to well-known landmarks, the exhibition features photos, maps, and drawings of lesser-known buildings and concepts that aimed to modernise the post-war city. Visitors can also explore posters and banners—design elements that brought avant-garde and socialist aesthetics to Tallinn’s streets at the time. The exhibition is based on a dissertation compiled last year by art historian Grete Tiigiste, who also curated the museum exhibit. Instead of academic texts, the exhibition leans heavily on visual materials, making the topic easily accessible for travelers, too.
Tallinn Full Sail Exhibition
Until 28 September, 2025
Estonian Museum of Architecture, Ahtri 2, Rotermanni Quarter, Tallinn
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00, Thursdays until 20:00
Additional outdoor exhibition
Courtyard of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Lai 17, Old Town, Tallinn
Free entry to both locations with the Estonian Museum Card
To learn more about this and similar topicsEstonian Museum of Architecture events Exhibitions Exhibitions in Tallinn History Museums Museums in Tallinn Tallinn Full Sail
