Walls of Tallinn

The Walls of Tallinn are the main architectural and historical landmark of the Estonian capital. Built in the 13th-16th centuries around the perimeter of the Old Town to protect it from the enemy, it was one of the most massive and impregnable military defenses in Northern Europe. Its height reached 20 meters, its thickness was 3 meters, and its length was 4 kilometers. Today, the ancient fortress is one of the key symbols of Tallinn, annually attracting a huge number of tourists from all over the world.

The construction of the Walls of Tallinn started in 1248, and the adjacent towers began to be built in 1310. The work was supervised by the Dane Johannes Kanne. The fortress surrounded the city by the middle of the 16th century. At that time, it was decorated with 11 towers, the number of which increased almost 5 times later. Unfortunately, only 26 of the 53 fortifications remain today. The structures were destroyed not by military actions. It just happened that in the middle of the 19th century, the city walls lost their main protective function. Therefore, they fell into disrepair, and as the city authorities did not see any value in them, some buildings were demolished.

The best-preserved part of the walls is the north-western one, which includes the Maiden's Tower, Fat Margaret, the towers of Kiek in de Kök, Golden Leg, Nun, Sauna, and Epping.

The Maiden Tower is located at Lossi Square 11. Its shape resembles a trapezoid, and its name refers to several urban legends: for example, the walls of the building could once serve as a home for dressmakers and a women's prison.

Fat Margaret stands on Pikk Street. This tower got its name for its rather impressive size. Today, it houses the Estonian Maritime Museum. On its roof, there is a cafe and an observation deck with a beautiful view of the entire fortress.

Kiek in de Kök, located at the intersection of Komandandi tee and Rüütli streets, is known for the fact that its inhabitants could see dishes in the kitchens of nearby houses. Today, the tower houses a museum and a photo gallery.