Exploring Tallinn: A Journey Through Estonia’s Medieval Marvel
Discover the rich history of Tallinn's UNESCO-Listed Old Town (visited 03/2024)
I originally published this text as A Medieval Marvel: Tallinn’s Historic Centre on the Medium platform.
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a city where medieval charm meets modern vitality.
Its Historic Centre, or Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site well-known for its wonderfully preserved medieval architecture and rich history dating back to the 13th century, to the knights of the Teutonic Order. This historical city also served as a key trading hub of the Hanseatic League, resulting in the magnificence of the public buildings and merchants’ houses.
I visited Tallinn in March 2024, and will share my experience, impressions and practical information.
About the site
Tallinn is located on the Baltic Sea's Gulf of Finland and has a population of about 461,000 (2024).
The settlement dates back to prehistoric times, but I will focus on the Middle Ages when the city was known as Reval, a name the city held after the Danish conquest of 1219. Tallinn received city rights in 1248, became a key Hanseatic League port in the Middle Ages, and was the northernmost member city.
The city's Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It is recognized for its well-preserved medieval architecture, consisting of Viru Gate, city wall, Town Hall, St Nicholas’ Church, and many more. Today, Tallinn is also a modern tech hub, home to companies like Skype, Bolt and Wise, and hosts the EU's IT agency and NATO's Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.