Tallinn: Old Town in Depth - Part 26

Danish King' s Garden

This open, garden-like area on the slopes of Toompea Hill happens to be the legendary birthplace of the Danish flag, according to a well-known legend. According to the story, Valdemar' s forces were losing their battle with the Estonians when suddenly the skies opened and a red flag with a white cross floated down from the heavens. Taking this as a holy sign, the Danes were spurred on to victory. Today the garden remains a place where locals honour the role Denmark played in Estonia' s history. Halfway down the steps towards Rüütli Street you can see an iron sword and shield with a Danish cross, and each summer, Danneborg Day is celebrated here.

House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads

This beautiful, Renaissance style guild hall is truly a star among Old Town' s architectural treasures. This was the historic home of the Brotherhood of Black Heads, a medieval guild made up of young, single merchants and foreigners.

Maiden's Tower

Explore this sturdy, 14th-century tower, sip coffee in its café or walk along the Town Wall for some amazing views. Maiden' s Tower, one of the most famous of Tallinn' s medieval defence towers, was recently renovated and reopened with a museum, complete with an exhibition hall in its vaulted cellar. Its famous café, which was a big hit in the 1980s, has also been restored to its past glory. Meghede torne, as it was originally called, was built in 1370-1373 along with the wall that runs through the Danish King’s Garden.

Kalev Marzipan Museum Room

Here you can see nearly 200 intricate, marzipan figurines and watch Tallinn' s favourite sweet being made in this historic shop and museum with a café.

In the Kalev Marzipan Museum Room, you'll learn all about Tallinn’s love affair with marzipan. Here you' ll find dozens of amazing marzipan creations as well as a marzipan forms belonging to Georg Stude, who founded the shop over a century ago. Children and adults can watch how marzipan figures are hand painted or try their own hand in this craft at a workshop.

Viru Gate

This pair of picturesque, ivy-covered towers at the entrance to Viru Street is often the first glimpse visitors get of Old Town. Anyone passing between them couldn' t be blamed for thinking they' ve left the 21st century behind and landed smack in the middle of the 18th. The towers are actually only the foregates of what was a much more complex gate system built in the 14th century. It included a large, square tower that stood farther back along the street, close to where the city wall can be seen.

Continued in Part 27