Tallinn Town Hall — Attraction in Tallinn

Tallinn Town Hall (Tallinna Raekoda), located at the heart of Raekoja plats, is the oldest surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe. Constructed between 1402 and 1404, the building has witnessed centuries of Tallinn’s evolution from a medieval trading hub to a modern capital .

Architectural Marvel and Historical Significance

Tallinn Town Hall’s architecture exemplifies Gothic style with its narrow arched windows, spired roof, and an imposing octagonal tower adorned with the weather vane, Old Thomas (Vana Toomas) . Old Thomas, a sentinel figure since 1530, embodies the town’s historical defence and now stands as a symbol of Tallinn . Inside, visitors find intricately carved wooden benches from the 14th century, elaborate wall paintings, and a stunningly preserved main hall used for various municipal and ceremonial purposes over the centuries .

Originally serving as the centre for city administration, the hall functioned as the seat of local government until 1970. Today, it operates as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and official ceremonies, showcasing Tallinn’s rich cultural tapestry .

Lesser-Known Curiosities

Several lesser-known features make the Town Hall a fascinating visit:

The Medieval Pharmacy Connection: Adjacent to the hall is the Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek), one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in Europe, established in 1422 . Hidden Symbolism: The hall’s interior includes hidden symbols and medieval artistry designed to inspire and instruct. For instance, a peculiar carved monkey figure on one of the benches symbolises folly and is a cautionary emblem against vice . The Lesser-Known Clock: A 15th-century clock adorns the facade, known for its strikingly simple design, intended to serve the common folk who gathered at the town square .

Local Controversy

Despite its grandeur, the Town Hall has not been without controversy. In the 16th century, its role in administering justice led to debates over the fairness of the trials held within its walls. Notably, some historical records suggest that corruption among town officials occasionally influenced judicial outcomes .

Visitor Experience and Surroundings

The Town Hall is centrally located in Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its proximity to significant landmarks such as St. Nicholas’ Church and the bustling Viru Gates makes it a cornerstone of any historical exploration in Tallinn. Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views of the city or enjoy seasonal events like the Tallinn Christmas Market held in the adjacent square .

Visitor Tips:

• Time Your Visit: The hall is open seasonally from late June to August. Ensure you check the opening hours and any special events planned during your visit. • Include in Your Itinerary: Pair your visit to the Town Hall with a walk through the nearby streets of Vanaturu kael and Apteegi tänav for a complete medieval Tallinn experience. • Cultural Events: Attend a concert or performance if your visit coincides with any scheduled events in the main hall to experience the building’s acoustics...

Tallinn is one city that I felt leisurely and carefreely when I went for a stroll in the city streets and I would like to pay a visit again if I have the luck. But, the Russia invasion war, does it affect its living in Tallinn?

The Estonian capital Tallinn is the birthplace of Skype.

Estonia is located in northeastern Europe and became an independent country in 1991. Estonia also has some of the best and most comfortable air in the world. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is known as a lung-cleaning mecca.

Among the three Baltic states, Tallinn in Estonia is the most visited city because it is very close to Helsinki in Finland, you can get there and back in the same day, and it is cheap and beautiful, full of medieval atmosphere.

Tallinn Town Hall is the only Gothic town hall in Northern Europe. Built between 1371 and 1404, it is also the oldest town hall in the whole Baltic States and Scandinavia.

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We went only to the tower not the town hall museum, but that was the worst experience that we had in Tallinn.

When we arrived at the ticket desk, we were told that there were too many people in the tower and we had to wait 15 minutes. So we waited in front of the old lady of the ticket desk in case of having to wait more 15 minutes.

After almost 15 minutes, there were other people behind us, waiting for the tower with us. The old lady started to let people go inside, but she stopped us to go inside and told others to go, even we were the first one waiting there!

I thought that there should be something wrong (like actually the others had a reservation or priority something like that), so we waited to be the next one to go inside, but the old lady kept letting others go inside but not us! I asked her why and she told us that she didn't know that we had been standing in front of her face for over 15 minutes!!!

We didn't know why we were treated like this even we had treated her politely with "thank you", "good morning", "please", etc. Or just because of being asian?

The view was not bad (maybe there might be another tower which could let us see a better view), but we had no more mood to take a look with...