The Tallinn Town Hall, located in the heart of the city's medieval Old Town, is the oldest surviving town hall in the Baltic region and Scandinavia. Completed in its current form in 1404, the building serves as a quintessential example of Northern European Gothic civic architecture, characterized by its austere limestone facade, arcaded ground floor, and steep roof topped with a distinctive weather vane known as Old Thomas.
Historically, the building functioned as the center of municipal administration, judicial proceedings, and trade regulation for the Hanseatic city of Reval (modern-day Tallinn). Today, while it no longer serves as the primary seat of city government, it remains a significant venue for ceremonial events, concerts, and exhibitions, preserving the architectural integrity of Tallinn's medieval urban core.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Limestone, Wood, Copper
- Civilization
- Hanseatic League / Medieval Estonia
- Accessibility
- Limited due to historic architecture
- Date(s)
- 1402-1404
- Condition
- Well-preserved, used for ceremonial purposes
- Original Function
- Administrative and judicial center
- Key Figures
- Old Thomas
Early Origins
13th centuryThe first mention of a town hall in Tallinn dates back to 1322. This earlier structure was likely a smaller, wooden or partially stone building that served the growing needs of the merchant class within the Hanseatic trading network.
Gothic Reconstruction
1402-1404The current building was constructed under the supervision of master builder Gylis. The design reflected the wealth and status of the city, utilizing local limestone to create a robust, multi-functional civic space that housed the council chamber and the great hall.
Renaissance Additions
16th-17th centuryDuring the 16th and 17th centuries, the interior was updated with Renaissance-style furnishings, including elaborate wood carvings and paintings. The iconic weather vane, 'Old Thomas,' was first placed atop the spire in 1530.
Modern Preservation
20th century - presentFollowing extensive restoration work in the 1970s, the building was returned to its medieval appearance. It was removed from active administrative use and transitioned into a museum and ceremonial space, maintaining its status as a symbol of Tallinn's heritage.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Limestone, Wood, Copper
- Civilization
- Hanseatic League / Medieval Estonia
- Accessibility
- Limited due to historic architecture