Tallinn Town Hall

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn Town Hall, located in the main square, is the only surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe. The first recorded mention of the Town Hall dates from 1322. Its present form dates from 1402-1404, when the building was rebuilt. The spire was destroyed in an aerial bombing on March 9, 1944. It was rebuilt in 1950. The Town Hall is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with the Tallinn's Old Town.

The building has two main storeys and an almost full-sized cellar. The main façade is supported by an open arcade with eight piers and topped by a crenellated parapet. High gables and a pitched roof make the building elegant, but the slender octagonal projecting tower with a gallery for bells gives it particular finesse. The tower is crowned by a late Renaissance spire comprising three cupolas and open galleries.

Today the Town Hall is a representative building of Tallinn City Government, concert hall and museum. The entire building is open to the public in July and August, when less official receptions are held. In other times, visits must be agreed with the Town Hall in advance (except the cellar exhibition).

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Details

Founded: 1322
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Estonia
Historical period: Danish and Livonian Order (Estonia)

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Tadas Malinauskas (3 years ago)
Town Hall and it's square is a center of the miniature universe called Tallinn Old town. The entire old part of the city is quite compact but very homogeneous, very little intrusions of modern architecture, and the old wall of Tallinn makes a nice boundary between old and new. Lots of different restaurants to choose from, like in other touristy places, locations close to the main attractions.
Cheri Mitchell-Santiago (3 years ago)
Tallinn is such a beautiful city. We strolled though alleys and discovered so many quaint sites. One of the more beautiful Old Towns I have visited. You can sit in the Square at the many restaurants and enjoy the ambiance!
Nikos Gkekas (3 years ago)
The Town Hall, which dates to 1404, is one of the most hallowed symbols of Tallinn. It boasts an elegant arcade of Gothic arches and a slender Baroque steeple. The narrow windows and crenelated parapet complete the building’s dignified facade. Do not forget to spot the waterspouts in the form of green dragons just beneath the roof and the 16th-century weathervane in the form of a stout, spear-wielding sentry near the summit of the steeple.
Stanislav Kovaljov (3 years ago)
Love walking in old town Tallinn. Always great atmosphere and lots of amazing places to see. If you are hungry - there are many different restaurants at the square,my personal favorite is Troyka.
Siddiqui Mr. aRf (3 years ago)
Medieval old town hall. Gothic style building. Big and open. Nice place to spend time. Very happening. Several restaurants representing Italian, Indian and Baltic. Several souvenir shops. You can find Baltic Amber jewellery shops both expensive and cheap depending on the grade of the Amber.
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