Toompea Castle: Ancient Castle of Tallinn

Toompea Castle is one of the most important symbols of the Tallinn since the construction of this ancient stronghold where is home of the Estonian parliament (Riigikogu). History of the Toompea Castle dates back to the 9th century. Toompea Castle has a very important place within the hearths of the Estonian people because of its historical importance. You should definitely add the Toompea Castle to your top places to visit in Tallinn list.

Toompea Castle History

Based on an Estonian myth, Toompea Castle made by the Linda who was the mother of Kalevipoeg and the wife of Kalev. These characters have a very important place in Estonian mythology. You may want to take a look at the Legends of Tallinn pages from Wikipedia to learn more about them. Linda made the Toompea Castle by her hands and she put every one of the stones. During the construction of Toompea Castle, natural stones around the region used. Actually, there is no evidence about the exact construction date of the castle but it is known that the today’s castle erected over a foundation of crumbling eastern wing of the fortress around 13th and 14th century.

Danish Conquest and Swedish Dominion

Toompea Castle is the witness of the almost whole history of the Tallinn. Toompea Hill probably one of the first place inhabited over the region due to its strategic location and defensive purposes. Castle was taken by the Danish crusaders in 1219 and named as the Castle of Danes or Taanilinnus in Estonian. Only 8 years later, Order of the Brethren of the Sword took the castle from Danish. This order founded by the 3rd Bishop of Riga (Albert) as a part of the Catholica military order. After re-take of the Toompea Castle, they extended it. Most parts of the Toompea Castle constructed during these years.

Danish took it again once more only 10 years later and hold it until 1346. They sold the Toompea Castle to the Teutonic Order. Teutonic Order just like the Order of the Brethren of the Sword was a religious group. With their influence, the castle became a monastery. Knights of the order used chapel, chapter house and dormitory. Reign of the crusaders over the Baltic states ended during the Livonian War in the 16th century and Estonia became the part of the Swedish dominion. They converted the Toompea Castle into a fortress and it became the administrative centre of the country. Russian Empire took Estonia in 1710 and the region became the part of the huge power until the 20 August 1991.

Estonian Parliament

Toompea Castle is the home of the Estonian Parliament since 1922. After the announcement of the Estonian Declaration of Independence announced a former convent building of the Teutonic Order erected at the site. A new building designed by Eugen Habermann and Herbert Johanson. The exterior of the Toompea Castle is traditionally, but the interior of the parliament is expressionist. This feature of the Estonian parliament is a unique one. During the Soviet reign over the region, Estonian parliament used as a Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR. Also, the Estonian Parliament is known as Riigikogu. Today, in total there are 101 seats the Estonian parliament. If you are looking more to read and learn about the Riigikogu please take a look to its official website.

Visiting Toompea Castle

Where is Toompea Castle?

Toompea Castle is located at the Toompea Hill. We can describe the Toompea Hill as a historical centre of the Tallinn. This district is also known as Vanalinn. Besides Toompea Castle, there are lots of places you can visit. The official address of the Toompea Castle is the Lossi plats 1a, 10137 Tallinn.

How to Go to Toompea Castle?

Toompea Castle is very close to the Tallinn city centre. Distance between Toompea Castle and Tallin main train station is only 900 meters. You can take a look at the walking route from this link. There no public transport stops at the entrance of the Toompea Castle or its nearby. Closest tram station to the castle is the Vabaduse väljak. Tramlines 3 and 4 stops at Vabaduse väljak. You can take a look to the walking route from Vabaduse väljak tram station to Toompea Castle from this link.

Toompea Castle Tours

Toompea Castle is open to visitors all year. You can visit Toompea Castle and parliament by yourself or join the tour. I’m suggesting to you to join a guided tour. Because professional guides will give you information about Toompea castle and history of both Tallinn and Estonia. If you want to visit the castle by yourself you can join the tours organized by Riigikogu. Please take a look below to find more information about those tours. Also, you use the tour widgets to find best-rated tours offered for Toompea Castle.

Individual guided tours:

• The tours last 45 minutes.
• English tour starts every Friday at 11 a.m. 
• Tours focus on the work of the Riigikogu and Toompea Castle.

Group tours:

• Tours take place from Monday to Thursday at 10.00–16.00, and on Friday at 10.00–15.00.
• The maximum group size is 35 people.
• Tours centre around the work of the Riigikogu and Toompea Castle.
• Tour languages in Estonian, English or Russian.

If you ever visited Toompea Castle and Estonian parliament Riigikogu please share your thoughts and suggestions to improve the content and quality of this post. Also, you can share your questions in the comment section.

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Toompea Castle FAQs