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Estonia's history

(by centuries)

13th - 16th

17th - 19th

20th

Tourist attractions

Defense towers & gates

Toompea castle & Nevski Cathedral

The Town Hall Square

The Dome church

The St Nicholas church

The Great Guild & The Brotherhood of the Blackheads & The Holy Spirit church

The Dominican monastery & The church of St Peter and Paul & St Catherine’s passage

Long Leg & Short Leg & City Defenses

St Olav's church

Nobles' houses

The Town Hall Square

The Town Hall Square is the historical center of Old Tallinn. During summer you can find numerous outdoor cafes, concerts and medieval handicraft fares here. The only known execution carried out in the Town Hall Square took place at a spot where the stones are crossed forming half of a cross. A priest was beheaded here, because he had killed an innkeeper with an axe. The neck-ring on one of the pillars of the Town Hall was used as a punishment for smaller crimes. 

The Town Hall is the only gothic town hall in Northern Europe, established in the 13^th century. It got its today’s appearance in the beginning of the 15^th century. You see Old Thomas, a symbol of Tallinn at the top of the tower. The legend says that there was this little boy who secretly shot down the target, a parrot during an archery-contest meant for the nobles. He was punished for doing so, because he was far too young to take part in an archery-contest. However, later on he was accepted as a town guard thanks to his great skills.  Old Thomas dates back to the 16^th century and the spire and gargoyles date back to the 17^th century. In the cellar there was a treasury, a wine cellar and storerooms and a torture chamber. The main floor held a citizen’s hall that had colorful pillars, the magistrate’s hall, a small kitchen and an accountancy room. Many of the decorations inside encourage the councilmen not to fall under anyone’s influence and deal justly with court matters.