Fat Margaret Tower (Estonian Maritime Museum)
Paks Margareeta
A round tower 25 metres in diameter at the northern end of the Old Town, housing a maritime museum, with a rooftop viewpoint over the harbour.
Fat Margaret was built in the early 16th century as a tower guarding the Sea Gate (Great Coast Gate) on the north side of the Old Town. It is about 25 metres in diameter, with walls nearly 5 metres thick, and its sturdy build gave it its name. It has served as an arsenal and a prison, and was burned during the revolution of 1917. Today it is part of the Estonian Maritime Museum, showing Estonia's maritime history, lighthouses, ship models and exhibits commemorating the 1994 sinking of the passenger ferry Estonia. A small viewing platform on the roof overlooks Tallinn's harbour and the cruise terminal. In the square outside the tower stands the "Broken Line" memorial to the Estonia disaster. A combined ticket with Seaplane Harbour can be purchased. Entry costs about 10 euros (check the official website). It is a walk of a few minutes north along Pikk Street from St. Olaf's Church.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00; closed Mondays in winter, check official website
Nearby sights
- St. Olaf's Church
- St. Catherine's Passage
- Tallinn City Walls
- Church of the Holy Spirit
- Viru Gate
- Great Guild Hall (Estonian History Museum)
- Town Hall Square & Tallinn Town Hall
- Rotermann Quarter