Tallinna Raekoda (Tallinn Town Hall), Tallinn (must see)
Tallinn Town Hall is the oldest and only preserved Gothic-style city hall in North Europe. In 2005, the Town Hall was awarded second prize for conservation of Architectural Heritage. Parts of the town hall date to the 13th century. The Town Hall was completed in 1404 and was the center of the town's government for almost 700 years, until 1970. Throughout the centuries, several additions, renovations, and architectural changes have been made.
Tallinn Town Hall was built with limestone. Traditional clay tiles adorn the exterior, which features a 64 meter (210 feet) tall spire that's visible from all over town. Gargoyles decorate the main facade. The Town Hall has an arcade formed with nine arcs and eight pillars. In inclement weather, merchants could gather under the shelter of the arcade. Criminals would be chained to one of the pillars so that townspeople could mock them.
The Town Hall's interior features attractive Gothic arches and works of art spanning the history of Tallinn. Benches were crafted in the 14th and 15th centuries. The largest hall in Town Hall is the Citizens Hall. It can hold up to 100 people and is often used for musical performances.
The Council Chamber features intricate wood carvings dating to 1375. Copies of 16th-century tapestries hang on interior walls. The original tapestries are on display in the Tallinn City Museum.
The Old Thomas weather vane is one of the town's most famous landmarks. The weather vane depicts a soldier who protects the city. Old Thomas was originally placed in 1530. Today, a copy stands on top of the town hall's spire, while the 1530 original is on display in the town hall's basement.
Tallinn regularly hosts concerts and receptions in this historic building. For a great view of the city, bring your camera and climb the tower.
Tallinn Town Hall was built with limestone. Traditional clay tiles adorn the exterior, which features a 64 meter (210 feet) tall spire that's visible from all over town. Gargoyles decorate the main facade. The Town Hall has an arcade formed with nine arcs and eight pillars. In inclement weather, merchants could gather under the shelter of the arcade. Criminals would be chained to one of the pillars so that townspeople could mock them.
The Town Hall's interior features attractive Gothic arches and works of art spanning the history of Tallinn. Benches were crafted in the 14th and 15th centuries. The largest hall in Town Hall is the Citizens Hall. It can hold up to 100 people and is often used for musical performances.
The Council Chamber features intricate wood carvings dating to 1375. Copies of 16th-century tapestries hang on interior walls. The original tapestries are on display in the Tallinn City Museum.
The Old Thomas weather vane is one of the town's most famous landmarks. The weather vane depicts a soldier who protects the city. Old Thomas was originally placed in 1530. Today, a copy stands on top of the town hall's spire, while the 1530 original is on display in the town hall's basement.
Tallinn regularly hosts concerts and receptions in this historic building. For a great view of the city, bring your camera and climb the tower.
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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Tallinna Raekoda (Tallinn Town Hall) on Map
Sight Name: Tallinna Raekoda (Tallinn Town Hall)
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 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 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 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