Estonian History Museum - Great Guild Hall, Tallinn
The Great Guild Hall is a wonderful old Gothic style structure that is located in the Old Town of Tallinn. It is not very far from Town Hall, and is just a couple of blocks south of Saint Olaf’s Church. You can find it directly across from the Holy Spirit Church.
It was built over a three year period that started in 1407. It was first used as a meeting place for Tallinn’s Merchant’s Union. During medieval times, local craft guilds controlled most aspects of business and commerce. The merchants of Tallinn banded together and became quite wealthy in their own right. Several old rooms in the building have been renovated and opened to the general public.
The hall now houses the Estonian History Museum, which brings to life over eleven thousand years of history of this part of the world. The displayed objects include archeological pieces, archived materials, ethnography, photography, glass and porcelain.
It was built over a three year period that started in 1407. It was first used as a meeting place for Tallinn’s Merchant’s Union. During medieval times, local craft guilds controlled most aspects of business and commerce. The merchants of Tallinn banded together and became quite wealthy in their own right. Several old rooms in the building have been renovated and opened to the general public.
The hall now houses the Estonian History Museum, which brings to life over eleven thousand years of history of this part of the world. The displayed objects include archeological pieces, archived materials, ethnography, photography, glass and porcelain.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tallinn. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Estonian History Museum - Great Guild Hall on Map
Sight Name: Estonian History Museum - Great Guild Hall
Sight Location: Tallinn, Estonia (See walking tours in Tallinn)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tallinn, Estonia (See walking tours in Tallinn)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tallinn, Estonia
Create Your Own Walk in Tallinn
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tallinn is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tallinn Old Towers and Gates
Once Europe's greatest fortified city, Tallinn had 46 defense towers and approximately 4 kilometers of surrounding walls. Today, there are 26 towers and about 2 kilometers of walls still in place, making the Old Town of Tallinn one of the best-preserved systems of medieval fortifications in Europe.
Upon entering the district through the Viru Gate, whose two picturesque, ivy-covered towers... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Upon entering the district through the Viru Gate, whose two picturesque, ivy-covered towers... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tallinn Medieval Old Town
The Old Town of Tallinn is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1997. The area emerged in the 13th-16th centuries when Tallinn was an active member of the Hanseatic trade league, slowly evolving into an enclosed district of colorful, ancient gabled houses, medieval towers and gates, half-hidden courtyards, and ostentatious churches.
Today it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Today it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tallinn Introduction Walking Tour
Estonia’s capital Tallinn is the country’s largest city and cultural hub. One of the biggest ports on the Baltic Sea, the area has been known for its convenient harbor since as early as the 10th century. Owing to its strategic location for trade between Russia and Scandinavia, the Kingdom of Denmark laid claim on this land in 1219. The city itself, first mentioned in 1154, was incorporated in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles