Tallinn: Old Town in Depth - Part 28

Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square)

This open area at the edge of Old Town is a place of national symbolism and civic pride, as well as a favourite gathering spot.

From the last days of the Tsars and through Estonia' s first period of independence, Freedom Square (Vabaduse väljak) was a place of parades and fanfare but fell into neglect during the Soviet and post-Soviet period. In 2009, after an extensive renovation, it was restored to its former glory.

Now it' s a sophisticated place to relax, filled with benches and cafés, and faced by two art galleries. Most of all, this is one of the best places to see evidence of the city' s 1930s-era building boom, with art-deco and functionalist buildings flanking two sides of the square. The large pillar with the cross that dominates the west side of the square is one of its new features. This is the Monument to the War of Independence, commemorating Estonia' s hard-fought struggle in 1918 – 1920 to free itself of foreign rule.

To get a glimpse of the square' s older history, all you have to do is look down. A glass panel in the street on the northwest corner of the square reveals the foundation and stairs of the Harju Gate tower, which stood here in medieval times.

Tallinn Town Wall

Visit this portion of the wall connecting Nunna, Sauna and Kuldjala towers to imagine guarding the town against medieval invaders.

With 1. 9km of its original city wall and 20 defensive towers wall still standing, Tallinn boasts one of Europe’s best preserved medieval fortifications. In fact, a large part of what gives Old Town its fairytale charm is the system of walls and towers that surround it.

To get a look at the wall from the inside, head to these three towers at the northwest corner of Old Town. Here visitors can climb up and explore the towers and wall, as well as enjoy a picturesque view of the red-tiled roofs of Old Town.

Work on the town' s defences first began in 1265, but the current outline of the wall dates to the 14th century. By its heyday in the 16th century, the wall was 2. 4 km long, 14 to 16 metres high, up to three metres thick, and included 46 towers.

Today roughly half of the original towers still loom over Old Town, evoking images of heroic knights and damsels in distress. Many of the Town Wall’s towers serve as museums, while a few others provide opportunities for adventure for kids and teen visitors.

The best places to see the wall from the outside are the Patkuli viewing platform on Toompea and Tornide väljak (Towers’ Square), a park area near the train station.

Continued in part 29