↑ ≡

Whisperings of the City Wall Audio

4 KM
1h 20 MIN

The famous defensive wall of Reval and the even more famous towers… probably the very first towers constructed were the gate towers, but then they started springing up all over the city, like mushrooms after rain. The towers were initially small, almost half as big as they are now. In the same way the city wall was not as big, at first. At the beginning of the 15th century, firearms and cannons started deciding the winners of battles more and more – so the height of both the towers and the wall rose in height. Most of the towers of Reval got a horseshoe shape!

The edge of the wall and vicinity of towers was as if a forbidden zone in the Middle Ages. A defensive area! It was not foreseen to go walking about there without reason. The only exception being perhaps for some call girls along the Müürivahe Street. The sauna for nuns was demolished, as the warriors on horseback had a too narrow passage between the defensive wall and sauna. The city space beside the city wall is somewhat secretive and mystical even today – when it is dark, you can hear their whispers….

Route

The Stolting tower Audio

The oldest towers of the city were probably gate towers, but I am a regular tower and belong amongst the oldest regular town towers. I am, alongside Kiek in de Kök, a circular tower in the city wall. I am not a common horseshoe shape. 

The Bremen Tower and Passage Audio

I am the Bremen Tower. I am not named after northern German city but named after a resident – who was also known as Bremer.

The Tower Behind The Monks Audio

I was named after my location – I am standing directly behind one of the most important institutions of the medieval city, the Dominican St Catherine’s Monastery.

The Hinke Tower Audio

Hinke, Hinken, Hincken, Hindrik, Henken … – throughout the centuries, my name has been spelled in many ways. Be it as it may – with my name – a tricky name to spell, my neighbour who disappeared almost a hundred years ago, was called Devil’s Mother or Devil’s Grandmother (Duveldoer, Tuefels-Grossmutter). It was actually derived from the name of the building owner, Johannes Duvelsmoder! My name is also believed to have been given to me after the name of a person – a city servant and stable boy who lived nearby.

The Assauwe Tower Audio

In days gone by, city people used to live together with their prized livestock, animals were a part of daily life. Not just living with cats and dogs, like today, but people lived with horses, cows, pigs, and other domestic animals. Animals were of vital importance. In warmer periods, the animals would leave the city each day to head to the pastures – and they moved along the wall through the Herd Gate. The towers of the Herd Gate were my good neighbours until they were demolished in the 19th century. It is believed that I was named after the shepherd, Assauwe or Asso. He might have even been an Estonian.

Tall Hermann Audio

It took close to one and a half centuries to await my completion, when in 1219 the Danish King brought into swing the construction of the city, here in the current Toompea, Tallinn (Reval). The wait was worth it! I am a flag tower, the most important one in the city and tower above all. My height is more than 80 metres, if you include the escarpment base and the height above sea level is more than 90 metres. There is no similar in the vicinity and hopefully also not further away. It is true that thanks to the expansion of the city, the current highest point in Tallinn, is now located in Nõmme!

The Patkuli Steps Audio

Many glances are at first directed to this location, to the pillars of the Stenbock Building, then the stairs, in addition to being a beautiful sight, offer the experience of participation to those who make the only justifiable decision to climb. After all, the Stenbock Building has since long ago, been the house of the Government – so only those selected have access to it. I was completed in the year 1903. Strolling was popular at the beginning of the 20th century, as it was possible in such a way to see others and show of oneself, as well as enjoy “Oh those views, those views!”.

The Nun’s Tower Audio

Although I am very old tower, already built at the beginning of the 14th century, my name was lost at some point during the Middle-Ages, It was only in 1738 that the name “Cyster-Thurm” or “The Nun’s Tower” was used for the first time.

The Square of towers Audio

It is as if each day we have a wonderful parade of the towers of the city wall.

Fat Margaret and The Great Coastal Gate Audio

I am the most famous landmark among the towers of our city. I do not remain unnoticed for those approaching from the sea.