Background
Tallinn's origins date to the 13th century, when the crusading knights of the Teutonic Order built a castle here. UNESCO says it developed as a major centre of the Hanseatic League, and its wealth shows in the opulent churches and merchants' houses that have survived to a remarkable degree despite fire and war.
The Old Town keeps an exceptionally intact 13th-century city plan inside its walls; most of its buildings date from the 13th to 16th centuries. In the Soviet bombing of March 1944 about a tenth of its buildings were destroyed.
- c. 1050The first fortress on Toompea
- 1219Valdemar II of Denmark conquers the city
- 1285Tallinn joins the Hanseatic League
- 14th c.Reval prospers and much of the centre is built
- 1944Soviet bombing destroys about a tenth of the Old Town
- 1997Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Town Hall SquareThe Gothic town hall at the heart of the lower town.
- 2ToompeaThe castle hill of the nobles, with Toompea Castle, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and viewing platforms over the roofs.
- 3St Olaf's ChurchClimb the tower for the view.
- 4The WallsMedieval walls and towers ring the Old Town.
- 5Kohtuotsa ViewpointThe classic view over the red roofs from Toompea.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Lower Town and Toompea
From the GoGo Tallinn guide · Open the Tallinn Guide ›
- 09:30Town Hall Square1 hrThe Gothic town hall.
- 10:45Climb St Olaf's Church Tower1 hrThe tower view.
- 12:00Medieval Walls and Towers45 minThe wall walk.
- 14:00Alexander Nevsky Cathedral45 minThe onion domes on Toompea.
- 15:00Kohtuotsa Viewpoint30 minOver the red roofs.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Jul–Aug. Freezing days in Nov–Mar.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
