Gates shut at night
The separation was between rulers and merchants, not against an outside enemy.
Oop — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jaan Künnap — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oop — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jaan Künnap — CC BY-SA 4.0
A tower of the Toompea hill fortifications in Tallinn, part of a defensive system separate from the lower town wall and with an entirely different logic. That division is the key to understanding Tallinn. In the medieval period the city was two cities: Toompea above, seat of the nobility, the bishop and governing power; and the lower town, home of the merchants, craftsmen and Hanseatic League members. Each had its own wall and gates, and the gates between them were shut at night. This was not a defensive arrangement against an outside enemy but between the two parties themselves, who contested power and privileges for centuries. Standing at the Toompea towers and looking down, you see exactly what the ruler saw: the merchant city he nominally governed and did not actually control. Practical points: the tower is free to see from outside and not regularly opened for interior visits. Walking on Toompea is free, and its viewing platforms give some of the best outlooks over Tallinn.
The separation was between rulers and merchants, not against an outside enemy.
From above, the city he nominally governed and did not control.
Toompea's platforms are among Tallinn's best, and busiest in the morning.
Toompea hill, Tallinn
St Mary's Cathedral (Dome Church)Mainland Estonia's oldest church: the Dome Church on Toompea hill was founded in1 minute walk4.6
Toompea Castle and HillThe hill that ruled Estonia for eight centuries: Toompea is a limestone plateau 1 minute walk4.5
Alexander Nevsky CathedralFive black-and-gold onion domes directly facing parliament: the Russian Orthodox1 minute walk4.7
The Danish King's GardenA small garden on the slope below Toompea hill, hemmed in by the city wall and i2 minutes walk4.8
Kiek in de Kök and the Bastion TunnelsAn artillery tower called "Peep into the Kitchen": Kiek in de Kök was built in 13 minutes walk4.7The Patkuli and Kohtuotsa platforms on the edge of Toompea, both free and always open. Patkuli gives the Old Town roofs and the harbour; Kohtuotsa is the better known and more crowded. Go early or near sunset to avoid the tour groups.
Two ways from the lower town: Pikk jalg, the long leg, a broad ramp that was the cart road, and Lühike jalg, the short leg, a narrow quicker stair. Both are free and take minutes. The names are medieval and describe the two routes literally.