The Towers of Tallinn, Estonia
Walk from Pikk Hermann to Kiek in de Kök in this magical Baltic capi
Pick an afternoon of sunshiny weather in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, and enjoy a walk from Pikk Hermann to Kiek in de Kök.
While Tallinn, the pretty capital of Baltic state Estonia, houses many interesting museums, restaurants and historic buildings, my favorite parts are the remnants of the Old Town wall and its many red-roofed towers. Numerous postcards mailed from Tallinn feature the sturdy stone walls and the carefully placed red tiles, and exploring these is a great way to spend a couple of hours in Tallinn.
Pikk Hermann: The Tall Guy
Even the names of the towers in Tallinn are magical. One of the towers that borders the inner city of Tallinn on the southern side, Pikk Hermann (Tall Hermann Tower) was built in the 1400s and is about 50 meters high. It has a high historical value and even now, it’s the place where the Estonian flag is raised each day as the national anthem plays. Pikk Hermann stands at a base corner of Toompea Castle, where the Estonian parliament meets.
Walking to Kiek in de Kök
If you move from Pikk Hermann in the direction of Kiek in de Kök, a really photogenic view of Tallinn’s rooftops and beyond can be found at the Danish King’s Courtyard. But save some energy to climb the Kiek in de Kök tower – also a fifteenth century building, it is 45 meters six storeys high and its name means “peep in the kitchen” – because that’s what you can do, sneak a look into the kitchens of many nearby homes as you climb higher and higher. The next closest tower, Megedi, has a good restaurant in the top floor, when all that kitchen peeping makes you hungry.
Visiting Information
Kiek in de Kök is closed on Mondays and otherwise opens from 10.30am to 6.00pm. Inside are various museums and exhibition sections, including military history, an art gallery and a display about the Plague. Pikk Hermann is generally closed to climbers.
