One of Tallinn’s most famous landmarks and the city’s tallest defensive tower is the first artillery tower in our history, Kiek in de Kök, whose exhibition runs across six floors. The tower’s permanent exhibition “Defended City, Solid Citadel” tells the story of how brave Tallinners have fortified and defended their hometown throughout history.
The new permanent exhibition tells the story of the city’s glorious defensive history. The exhibition is called “Defended City, Solid Citadel” and the part about the history of the Blackheads Brotherhood is characterized by their motto: “Victory or Death”. Tallinn is the only Estonian city that was not conquered or destroyed by enemy forces in history. The exhibition shows how the city, which became wealthy through Hanseatic trade, invested in defensive structures, city walls and towers and modernized its fortifications when firearms and cannons became decisive instead of cold weapons. Massive earth fortifications, or bastion zones, were built around the city wall.
On the tour, we will talk more about why Tallinn-Reval was successful in repelling enemies, what defensive structures are typical of the city, and what heroic deeds the city’s residents accomplished in defending the city.
Please note that…
The steps of the Kiek in de Kök gun tower are of uneven height in places and can be slippery
Due to the nature of the historical structure, it is not possible to move around in a wheelchair
Maximum number of participants in a group: up to 25 people
If there is no suitable time in the calendar, you would like to make a reservation for a larger group or you need additional information, write to us at broneeringud@linnamuuseum.ee
