Tallinn’s Medieval Wall

Tallinn’s Medieval Wall is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Europe. The first wall ever built was also known as Margaret’s Wall. Margaret Sambiria was the Queen of King Christopher I, King of Denmark from 1252. After the King died in 1259 she ruled as a regent (the first woman in Denmark’s history to acquire such a role) until her son’s maturity in 1264.

In 1266 Margaret’s son granted her the reign of Danish Estonia. A few months earlier Margaret had ordered the construction of one of the largest and strongest defense systems of its time in northern Europe. That first wall would be reinforced several times over time but in general, it would follow the initial plan with the addition of more defensive towers, like the Kuldjala, the Loewenschede, and Nunnery Towers.

Today you can still marvel at 26 towers and around 1.85 km of the defensive wall that still survive. The best preserved section is the western and northwestern part (Loewenschede, Nunnadetagune, Kuldjala Torn, Sauna, Nun’s Towers). The Short Leg Gate and Long Leg Gate near the castle hill, the Viru Gate on the eastern edge of the old town and Fat Margaret bastion (Paks Margareeta) on its north tip are the stars of the ensemble. To see the wall from the inside, head to the towers at the northwest corner of Old Town. There you can climb up explore the towers and wall. You can have this travel back in time for free with the Tallinn card.