Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square), Tallinn (must see)
Town Hall Square is a fabulous location to soak up the long and storied history of Tallinn. It's in the center of the Old Town. Markets began opening on this site in the 11th century. Tallinn Town Hall is located in this square. Completed in 1404, it's the oldest Town Hall in Northern Europe.
Other historical buildings surround the square. There is the oldest pharmacy in Europe; it was established in approximately 1415. The pharmacy has a small museum with ancient medical instruments and medicines. The rest of the buildings are painted in attractive pastel colors and were built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Cobblestones throughout the square complete the old-world charm.
In the center of the square, visitors will find a circular stone with a compass rose. The L-shaped stone near the center of the square marks the site where a priest was executed. The priest killed a waitress who had served an overcooked omelet.
During the summer, the square is filled with open-air caf茅s. Enjoy alfresco dining and people-watching. There are regular outdoor markets held in Town Hall Square. Stalls feature souvenirs and traditional Estonian items.
You will find varied festivals and concerts throughout the year. Tallinn Old Town Days is a week-long festival that takes place at the beginning of summer. During this popular festival, visitors and locals are treated to exhibitions, theater plays, concerts, fairs, and non-stop entertainment.
In winter, the square becomes a winter wonderland with holiday decorations and a massive decorated fir tree. The Brotherhood of the Blackheads first erected a Christmas tree in the square in 1422. This is thought to be the world's first Christmas tree. Visitors can also enjoy a spirited Christmas market.
Why You Should Visit:
Town Hall Square is the oldest town square in Northern Europe and has been the center of Tallinn for eight centuries. Visit historic buildings and enjoy the old-world ambiance. There's no better place to get the feel of the town and nation than Town Hall Square.
Tips:
This square is incredibly festive over the winter holidays. Have a hot toddy, enjoy the holiday lights, shop for gifts, and admire the Christmas tree.
Other historical buildings surround the square. There is the oldest pharmacy in Europe; it was established in approximately 1415. The pharmacy has a small museum with ancient medical instruments and medicines. The rest of the buildings are painted in attractive pastel colors and were built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Cobblestones throughout the square complete the old-world charm.
In the center of the square, visitors will find a circular stone with a compass rose. The L-shaped stone near the center of the square marks the site where a priest was executed. The priest killed a waitress who had served an overcooked omelet.
During the summer, the square is filled with open-air caf茅s. Enjoy alfresco dining and people-watching. There are regular outdoor markets held in Town Hall Square. Stalls feature souvenirs and traditional Estonian items.
You will find varied festivals and concerts throughout the year. Tallinn Old Town Days is a week-long festival that takes place at the beginning of summer. During this popular festival, visitors and locals are treated to exhibitions, theater plays, concerts, fairs, and non-stop entertainment.
In winter, the square becomes a winter wonderland with holiday decorations and a massive decorated fir tree. The Brotherhood of the Blackheads first erected a Christmas tree in the square in 1422. This is thought to be the world's first Christmas tree. Visitors can also enjoy a spirited Christmas market.
Why You Should Visit:
Town Hall Square is the oldest town square in Northern Europe and has been the center of Tallinn for eight centuries. Visit historic buildings and enjoy the old-world ambiance. There's no better place to get the feel of the town and nation than Town Hall Square.
Tips:
This square is incredibly festive over the winter holidays. Have a hot toddy, enjoy the holiday lights, shop for gifts, and admire the Christmas tree.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tallinn. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square) on Map
Sight Name: Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square)
Sight Location: Tallinn, Estonia (See walking tours in Tallinn)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tallinn, Estonia (See walking tours in Tallinn)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tallinn, Estonia
Create Your Own Walk in Tallinn
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tallinn is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tallinn Introduction Walking Tour
Estonia鈥檚 capital Tallinn is the country鈥檚 largest city and cultural hub. One of the biggest ports on the Baltic Sea, the area has been known for its convenient harbor since as early as the 10th century. Owing to its strategic location for trade between Russia and Scandinavia, the Kingdom of Denmark laid claim on this land in 1219. The city itself, first mentioned in 1154, was incorporated in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tallinn Old Towers and Gates
Once Europe's greatest fortified city, Tallinn had 46 defense towers and approximately 4 kilometers of surrounding walls. Today, there are 26 towers and about 2 kilometers of walls still in place, making the Old Town of Tallinn one of the best-preserved systems of medieval fortifications in Europe.
Upon entering the district through the Viru Gate, whose two picturesque, ivy-covered towers... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Upon entering the district through the Viru Gate, whose two picturesque, ivy-covered towers... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tallinn Medieval Old Town
The Old Town of Tallinn is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1997. The area emerged in the 13th-16th centuries when Tallinn was an active member of the Hanseatic trade league, slowly evolving into an enclosed district of colorful, ancient gabled houses, medieval towers and gates, half-hidden courtyards, and ostentatious churches.
Today it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Today it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles