- barcodex
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- 4 out of 5
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12
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Editor Pick
Town Hall - Cellar
- August 19, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
mightywease from Carshalton, United Kingdom
When we visited the Town Hall the cellar, was hosting a very interesting exhibition entitled “A Mighty Fortress”, concentrating on the late medieval period this explored the feudal system, the system of law, the relationship between town, and county and the rivalry between the Lower Town and Toompea, the Upper Town.
At that point in time the Lower Town was expanding at a fast rate and the authorities needed people to work as builders, labourers, etc. so runaway peasants/servants from the country, or Toompea, were allowed to stay in the Lower Town and, if they remained there for a year and a day they became free. Their master could, during this time, apply to have them returned but this was quite a long process involving the town officials. If they were successful they had to agree that the peasant/servant would suffer no punishment and if they ignored this then they faced punishment of their own. Quite a liberal system born out of the necessity to increase the available workforce.
We also enjoyed the story of how the Lower Town petitioned the Pope to allow them to build their own school rather than rely on the one at the Dome Church in Toompea. The description of the difficulties faced by the children getting to the school - roads dangerous and impassable due to inclement weather, no walls or fences protecting them from the steep drops around Toompea and even the number of paces it took to walk different stages of the journey – all written in a letter to the Pope was fascinating and proved successful as a school was allowed to be established in the Lower town.
From journal Tallinn - Warm Heart in Cold Weather
Editor Pick
Town Hall
- August 19, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
mightywease from Carshalton, United Kingdom
On one side of Raekoja plats sits the imposing Raekoda or Town Hall, the representation of medieval power in the Lower Town.
The limestone building dates from the late 14th/early 15th Century and was completed in 1404, the thin minaret like tower was, according to legend, based on a sketch by an explorer who had visited the Orient. On top this is the spire, originally pyramidal but replaced in 1627 by a tapering Baroque style. Surmounting this – but dating from nearly 100 years earlier - is Vana Toomas (Old Thomas) – guardsman, lookout, weathervane, and another symbol of the city (see separate tip). Like the spire the decorative dragon shaped gargoyles at the base of the roof are also a Renaissance addition.
The interior of the Town Hall is closed for visitors (expect by special arrangement) for most of the year but open to all between 1st July-31st August (except 20th August) while the cellar (see separate tip) – containing special exhibitions - is open for most of year from 15th May until 30th March.
The ground floor of the Town Hall was used as a trading area with the ceremonial offices situated on the first floor. The Gothic Citizens Hall has vividly painted columns and striking wooden and metal chandeliers. On the walls are two tapestries from 1547 showing scenes from the life of Solomon and this motif is continued in the adjoining Council Hall where panels on the wall are decorated with biblical scenes including, again, the Judgement of Solomon. Once can imagine that through these the alderman and magistrates of the city were being encouraged to emulate Solomon’s wisdom and fair judgement. The Council Hall also contains two beautifully carved wooden benches.
The vaulted roof space - with impressive beams - has an exhibition about the changing face of the Town Hall and the more recent reconstuctions it has undergone. You can get a closer look at one of the previous copies of Vana Toomas and also a rather weather beaten stone lion, a copy of which holds the standard at the opposite end of the roof to the tower. The photographs of the building during the communist era, bedecked with a large poster of Lenin and with the arcaded area at the base of the building closed in, are fascinating as is the before and after photo of when its facade was given a well needed clean.
From journal Tallinn - Warm Heart in Cold Weather
Editor Pick
Town Hall Square
Like any typical European city, Tallinn is centred around its main square; and in the Estonian capital, it is known locally as Raekoja Plats or to the tourists as Town Hall Square.
The main building on the Town Hall Square is obviously Town Hall, or Tallinna Raekoda. Although the building was built over 600 years ago, it has kept to its original use and externally looks much the same as it did during its completion. The Town Hall Tower rises about 40 metres (about 130 feet) over the Square, and affords an amazing view over the Old Town and towards Toompea Hill. Although there are only a little over a hundred steps to reach the top of the tower, the higher you get, the larger the steps become, with some steps near the top approaching 18 inches (almost half a metre). The climb up is quite narrow, though there were occasional alcoves along the way in case you needed to catch your breath, or wanted to see what the Estonians used for a toilet over 500 years ago! The climb didn't seem like it was too high on the other Tallinn visitors' lists as we encountered no-one during the climb or at the top; which was probably all the better since there was only room for about four people at the top anyway. The view from the top was well worth the climb, and since we had a pristine day, you could see for miles. The tower is open from June through August, 11am to 6pm, and costs 30EEK (though half-price for students, children, and senior citizens). On a clear day it is well worth the effort! The same price is charged for entrance into the Town Hall itself, though if you want to take a tour, be ready to fork out another 300EEK on top of the entrance fee. During the summer the town hall is open daily, but visits from September through May require a prior appointment.
During the summer months, the Square is teeming with locals and tourists alike. There are plenty of cafes to enjoy a quick bite to eat or a coffee, and souvenir shops to fill your shopping craze. However, the shops here are generally slightly more expensive than those in the side-streets and outside the central square. Occasional events and free concerts are also on the Square, but be sure to check what is on offer as events change frequently.
If you find yourself in Tallinn in winter, be sure to stop by the Town Hall Square as a large Christmas market is present on the Raekoja Plats. From filling your stomach with chestnuts or filling your shopping bags with Christmas gifts, a visit to the market will enchant you into the Christmas spirit. The markets are ideal for families and couples alike, and the snow covered buildings around the square are certain to leave lasting memories of your Tallinn experience.
From journal Traversing Tallinn
Town Hall
- October 10, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
barcodex from Tallinn, Estonia
Town Hall is a very old building, and it always was a Town Hall, regardless of who ruled the city (to name a few: Danes, Germans, Swedes, Russians, and finally, Estonians themselves). It stands on a square that is naturally called Town Hall square ("Raekoja plats" in Estonian), which changed its appearance through history, but always remained a logical centre of Old Town (more specifically, Lower Town), also nowadays. Besides the nice square with a lot of restaurants and a ew year tree in the end of December, the Town Hall building itself has a concert hall, city museum in the basement, and the watching tower, where tourists are admitted to have a view on a city from the top.
From journal My Home City