I travel for a lot of reasons, first is, first is to explore a country, experience different cultures, meet new people and friends, indulge in different cuisines and delicacies, and more.
But I am mesmerized by Tallinn, Estonia! Tallinn Old Town let us experience a whole other era. It is an absolute medieval gem on UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe.
There is so much to do in Tallinn, I wish I had the time to stay longer and explore this underrated destination on the Baltic Sea.
As soon as we arrived on a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, I kept telling myself "I should have come sooner".
I felt like I am back in the Middle Ages. The Old Town has towers, ancient churches and buildings. It felt like I was at the very top of feudal society where the monarchs or kings and queens reside.
The wall of Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum
A lot of tourists choose to visit Tallinn by a cruise ship from Helsinki. A lot of Finnish people visit too (and buy a lot of booze as it is so much cheaper in Estonia). So glad we visited in May when people are just starting to get out after a very long winter season so it was not very crowded during our visit.
There is so much to see and do in the old town. You’ll discover how rich it is in history, dine in medieval restaurants and cafes, get into ancient buildings and climb the castle walls and towers.
Tip: We bought a Tallinn Card for 48 hours and we actually saved around 150 Euros from entrance fees and bus fares.
So let's get to the exciting part and explore Tallinn, Estonia!
1. Viru Gates
The barbican of Viru Gate was part of the defense system of the Tallinn city wall built in the 14th century.
A couple of centuries later, it already had 8 gates that consisted of several towers and curtain walls connecting them but as the entrances to the Old Town were widened, several gates were demolished. However, the corner towers were preserved.
Viru Street has many shops and restaurants and has become one of the busiest pedestrian streets in the Old Town. Lucky for us, we came in May.
2. Visit the Tallinn Town Hall
The Tallinn Town Hall is the oldest Town Hall in the Baltic Region and Scandinavia, built in the 13th century. It is also listed as a UNESCO world heritage building.
It was not open for visitors in May but in August and July the Town Hall will be open for visitors who can visit the whole area.
The construction started in the 13th century and was completed in 1404.
3. Visit the Town Hall Square
Town Hall Square has been a marketplace and the centre of this old Hanseatic town since the Middle Ages.
According to Visit Tallinn website, 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!) Tough crowd!!! 😲.
Today, it is the center of Tallinn Old Town that is often used as a venue for open-air concerts, handicraft fairs, medieval markets and restaurants. You may dine in Olde Hansa, a medieval experience restaurant with a combination of dishes cooked according to 700-year-old recipes. They recreate medieval times very nicely with dim lighting, waiters and staff are wearing medieval clothes and the medieval musicians are using unique instruments.
According to the waiter, the center is also the home of Tallinn's Christmas tree. It started way back in 1441. I could only imagine how beautiful it is!
4. Wander The Cobbled Streets Of The Old Town
This is my absolute favorite! Walking around the Old Town on medieval cobbled streets. It amazes me how well preserved Tallinn Old Town is.
Just look at the pictures!
5. Climb the city walls and visit Kiek in de Kök
Climbing the city walls is a must although it is very tiring!
Tallinn, known in medieval times as Reval, was a walled city that was originally built for defense against its enemies.
Our favorite museum is Kiek in de Kök. It was the most powerful defense tower of medieval Tallinn and is the mightiest defense tower in the Baltics!
Don't get fooled! I was freezing here! Please bring a winter coat in May!
All smiles and pangs of hunger infront of the defense tower of Kiek in de Kök. The museum is so huge, we spent almost 3 hours exploring it!
Here you can walk along the town wall and discover unique fortifications while enjoying views of the Old Town. The museum consists of an artillery tower, underground bastion passages, a carved stone museum, and other towers.
Just one of the countless weapons in this museum
Secret hidden tunnels called Bastion Passages
Carved Stone Museum
There are videos and exhibits that provide all sorts of information on the era that you could play in many languages, including the tragic widespread of plague (played as a video) and the battles that were fought to defend Tallinn. It is also said the Russian propaganda materials were hidden in the paasages in the old times.
A view of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral from Kiek in de Kök fortifications museum
6. Marvel at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Russian Orthodox Cathedral, or Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an onion-domed church that was built on Toompea Hill when Estonia was still part of the Czarist Empire of Russia.
The church can hold up to 1,500 people. It took 500 soldiers using ropes to raise the 11 bells to the church tower. The bells total weight is 27 tons. The largest bell weighs nearly 18 tons!
It was built to a design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky, an architect from St. Petersburg in a typical Russian Revival Style and Neo-Byzantine architecture between 1894 and 1900. [Wikipedia]
It was originally intended to show dominance and power over the city and was so disliked by many Estonians as a symbol of oppression. The Estonian authorities scheduled the cathedral for demolition in 1924, but the decision was never implemented due to a lack of funds and the building's massive construction.
Although originally controversial, it’s a stunning architectural masterpiece.
7. Climb up Olav’s tower
For the best tower view of the whole city, climb up Olaf’s Tower in the Gothic Olaf’s Church. With an originally 159-meter spire, this 14th-century Gothic church was considered to be the tallest building in the world until 1652.
It got its name from being dedicated to King Olaf II of Norway. It also acts as a lighthouse for ships trying to navigate their way into the harbor.
The way to the top is very steep and dark so be extra careful! The view on top is stunning and you can see almost the whole old town.
View at the top of St. Olaf's Tower
8. Visit the Town Hall Pharmacy
This old apothecary, which was open in 1422, is the oldest continuously running pharmacy in Europe!
A special honor belongs to the Burchart family, who worked in the pharmacy for as many as ten generations.
Still in operation from 1422 until today!
Some stories say that they used to sell ancient cures for many ailments including an aching heart. You can see some weird displays such as insects, preserved dead animals and mummy juice.
9. Climb up Helleman Tower & the Town Wall
The wall contains a wooden walkway connecting two towers, the whole walkway is about 250 yards long with Helleman in the middle of this walkway. One end was sealed but the other way connected to another tower.
The other tower has two further floors so you can get even better views. Climb to the very top floor is short, narrow and steep. It was challenging but worth it!
It also has some pictures of the Old Town in the old times and how it looks now.
10. Fat Margaret & Maritime Museum
Fat Margaret Defense Tower was built from 1511 - 1530 to protect Tallinn from attacks from the sea. It is the home of Estonia's sea-faring history in the Middle Ages as well as in the era of sailing, steam, and motor ships. This museum is huge. I think it was 4 floors of exhibitions.
At the top floor of the museum!
a 700-year-old shipwreck!😲
Suur Tõll is an Estonian steam-powered icebreaker that is originally built for the Russian Empire in 1914. Suur Tõll is well preserved and we were able to board it and I'm going to give more details about it in Part 2.
Part 2 of this blog involves a submarine built in 1936 and the controversial KGB prison cells at Pagari Street.
Tallinn has a fascinating blend of history and culture is an understatement. It's definitely one of the best places I've been!
Stay tuned for Tallinn, Estonia - Part 2! ✌️
