Tallinn’s Old Town contains some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in Northern Europe. Many of these buildings were constructed during the 13th - 16th centuries and still stand today. No trip to Tallinn is complete without visiting these historic landmarks.
1. St. Catherine's Dominican Monastery. The Dominican monastery is known to have existed at the site since at least 1246. The remains of this 13th-century friary include the walls of the church and the cloister. Visitors can wander the medieval cloisters and courtyards, known as the Claustrum. Throughout the Middle Ages, the monastery was renowned for its scholarship and the monastery also had a brewery that produced four types of beer.
2. Tallinn Dome Church (St. Mary's Cathedral). Located on Toompea Hill, this is the oldest church in Tallinn and mainland Estonia. The church was founded in the year 1219.
3. St. Nicholas' Church (Niguliste Museum). Dating back to the mid-13th century (c. 1250–1275), this former Gothic church was originally built as a fortress-church by merchants from Gotland. This Gothic structure is one of the oldest buildings in Tallinn. Today, the building operates as a museum showcasing medieval ecclesiastical art, including the famous Dance Macabre by Bernt Notke.
4. Tallinn Town Hall. Located in the heart of the Old Town, Tallinn's Town Hall was first mentioned in real estate records in the year 1322. It's the oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe.
5. The Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek) is one of the most famous historic sites in Tallinn. It has been continuously operating in the same building on the Town Hall Square since 1422, making it the oldest continuously running pharmacy in Europe.
