Tallinn: Old Town in Depth - Part 7

St. Olav’s Church and Tower

You can make the climb to the top of Tallinn' s iconic, Gothic church which was once the tallest building in the world. It was from 1549 to 1625 to be precise, when this Gothic church was the tallest building in the World. Its gigantic 159-metre spire was meant to be a signpost for approaching ships. However, it also turned out to be a very effective lightning rod. Throughout the church' s history lightning hit the spire repeatedly, completely burning down the structure three times.

Today its smaller, 124-metre spire still dwarfs most of Tallinn’s buildings and remains an important symbol of the town. From April to October, visitors can make the climb to the top of the stone portion of the tower for magnificent views of Old Town, Toompea hill and the port area.

The church itself dates back to at least 1267 when it is thought to have served a group of Scandinavian merchants who settled in the area. Various legends insist the church got its name from either the giant or the mysterious stranger who built it, however it was in fact dedicated to King Olaf II of Norway. Its current shape and size were set in the 16th century. Inside are high, vaulted naves and a historicist interior design that dates to the time it was rebuilt after a fire in 1830.

Services on Sundays at 10am and 12pm. Entrance to the church is free. Entrance to the tower is free with the Tallinn Card.

Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin (Dome Church' s) Tower

Visitors can climb the 69-meter Baroque bell tower of this famous, medieval church for amazing views of the city.

The church itself, known as Dome Church, stands at the centre of Toompea hill and is one of the country' s most fascinating historic attractions. Founded in the 13th century, it was the church of Estonia' s elite German nobles. Entrance to the tower is free with the Tallinn Card.

Town Hall Pharmacy

This has been open since 1422 and this curious little shop on Town Hall Square is, in fact, the oldest continuously running pharmacy in Europe. Ten generations of the same family, the Burcharts, operated it from 1581 to 1911. It was so famous in its day that the Russian tsar used to order medicines from here.

Remedies sold at the pharmacy in medieval times included snakeskin potion, mummy juice and powdered unicorn horn. It was also a place to buy everyday items like jam, tea, claret, gunpowder and, most importantly, marzipan. Marzipan was one of the pharmacy' s best sellers, one that local legend insists was actually invented as a curative here in the 15th century.

The historic site still operates as a pharmacy today, selling modern products, but its side room houses an interesting display of 17th- to 20th-century medicinal bric-a-brac.

Continued in part 8