Tallinn, Estonia: Viru Gate, Hellemann Tower & Town Wall, Katariina Kaik

What I really love about Tallinn are two things:

(1) It is a very picturesque fortified medieval town, with lots of towers and lovely pastel coloured architecture
(2) It is small and compact which reminds me of the beautiful old city of Krakow in Poland.

Tallinn Old Town Map

Below is the map of Tallinn Old Town, called in the local Est language: Vanalinn. My hotel is located between Lai and Pikk streets (see H sign near # 12). We will use the map to guide us the location of Viru Gate, Hellemann Tower & Town Wall and Katariina Kaik.

Viru Gate
See number 34 on the map (on Viru street)

The Viru Gate on pedestrianised Viru Street is officially the entrance to Tallinn Old Town (Vanalinn), it is one of the two main tower gates that were once part of a much larger 14th century fortification, The Great Coastal Gate. Viru Street is one of the main arteries in the old town that leads you to the Town Hall Square called Raekoja Plats.

You can see pictures and read about my lovely time on this square here: Where to chill in Tallin? Answer: Raekoja Square (Raekoja Plats)

The gate is on pedestrianised Viru Street.

The Viru Gate and Street is a busy area with lots of outdoor cafes.

This is Viru Gate from the inside of Tallinn Old Town.

This is Viru Gate from the outside facing Tallin Old Town.

Hellemann Tower & Town Wall
Website: Hellemann Tower & Town Wall
See number 35 on the map (on Uus street)

For a small fee of 3 euros you can go up the 14th century tower and walk on the 200-metre rampart of the old town stone wall and catch beautiful views of the old town. The tower also houses an art gallery.

Right below the Hellemann Tower and Town Wall is a knit market.

Local gourmet products.

The Hellemann Tower is on Uus Street adjacent to Katariina Kaik and intersecting with Viru Street.

Katariina Kaaik (St. Catherine’s Passage)
See number 4 on the map (between Vene and Uus streets)

This narrow passage is heaven for the artisan handicraft enthusiast or those who love to buy these kind of craft art. It is home to St. Catherine’s Guild, a group of craft workshops in Vanalinn using traditional methods to produce their wares, i.e., knits and quilts, ceramics and porcelain, jewellery, glassware and more.

What is special about these workshops and galleries here is their studios. They are housed in open work areas where visitors can watch as they work on a creation.

It is a pretty passage so this should be on your list.

Tallinn has many cellar restaurants. It seems to be a popular building compartment during the medieval period. Kelder means basement, which interestingly is also Dutch with the same meaning.