Tallinn City Walls
Tallinna linnamüür
One of the best-preserved medieval city wall systems in Northern Europe, with about 1.9 km of walls and more than 20 towers; walk the wall walkway at Hellemann Tower, or photograph the row of red-capped round towers at Tower Square.
Construction of the Tallinn City Walls began in the late 13th century. At their height in the 16th century they stretched about 4 km with 46 towers. About 1.9 km and more than 20 towers survive, making them one of the best-preserved medieval fortification systems in Northern Europe. Several highlights stand out. On the east side, Viru Gate is two round towers draped in ivy and is the main entrance from the New Town into the Old Town. Inside the gate, Viru Street has shops and restaurants on both sides, and beside the wall below is the 'Sweater Wall' with knitwear stalls. Hellemann Tower lets you climb onto the roughly 200-metre wooden walkway along the wall. On the northwest side, Tower Square (Tornide väljak) has a row of nine towers with red conical roofs, the best place to photograph the panoramic view of the walls. At the northern end, Fat Margaret's Tower houses part of the Estonian Maritime Museum. On the south side of the Old Town, Kiek in de Kök is a large gun tower housing a museum of city defence, and visitors can enter a 17th-century underground fortification passage (guided tour required). The wall walkways and towers are generally charged separately, about €3–12 each (check the official website).
Opening hours
City walls viewable from outside all day; Hellmann Tower walkway approx. 10:00–18:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- St. Catherine's Passage
- Viru Gate
- Church of the Holy Spirit
- St. Olaf's Church
- Town Hall Square & Tallinn Town Hall
- Great Guild Hall (Estonian History Museum)
- Fat Margaret Tower (Estonian Maritime Museum)
- Rotermann Quarter