Wednesday, 20 June 2012

The 13th century gates and walls of Tallinn, Estonia

The most impressive historical monuments of Tallinn must be the gates and walls. The constructions to protect the old town started in 1275 under the reign of Margaret Sambiria. One tower was called Fat Margaret because it is so big. It is located at the edge of town facing the sea. This is the location with the highest risks for attacks. Tallinn is on the World Heritage List of UNESCO mainly because of its walls and gates. You see them everywhere around the city. Between two gates there are still some wooden galleries on which guards were walking vigilantly to discover possible enemies. Parts of the city walls are now integrated with houses. A special experience.

De meest indrukwekkende bezienswaardigheden van Tallinn moeten toch wel de torens en stadsmuren zijn. De bouwwerken ter bescherming van de stad werden aangevangen in 1275 onder het bewind van Margaret Sambiria. Een toren wordt de “Dikke Margaret” genoemd omdat deze zo breed is. Ze staat op de rand van de stad en kijkt naar de zee, een locatie waar het risico op aanvallen het grootst was. Door deze toren en muren is Tallinn opgenomen op de UNESCO Werelderfgoedlijst. De muren zijn alom tegenwoordig rond de stad. Tussen torens zie je soms nog houten galerijen waarop bewakers waakzaam naar de vijand speurden. Vele stukken van de muur zijn nu geïntegreerd in huizen. Een speciale ervaring..
 
Tallinn Gates and Walls
Fat Margaret tower

Tallinn Gates and Walls
Great Coastal Gate

Tallinn Gates and Walls
Great Coastal Gate

Tallinn Gates and Walls
Gates at Kooli

Tallinn Gates and Walls
Gates at Kooli

Tallinn Gates and Walls
Gates at Gümnaasiumi

Tallinn Gates and Walls
Gates at Gümnaasiumi

Tallinn Gates and Walls
Viru Gate

Previous Tallinn article: General Impressions of Tallinn, the capital of young Estonia

Previous City Gates article: Vyšehrad gates and parks, away from the busy centre of Prague

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Posted by FilipBlog at 22:30
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16 comments:

  1. Cloudia20 June 2012 at 23:27

    power function history - Thank YOU!


    Aloha from Honolulu,
    Comfort Spiral
    > < } } ( ° >

    > < } } (°>

    ><}}(°>

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rosemary20 June 2012 at 23:42

    Tallinn is definitely a place that I would like to visit, and even more so now I have seen your photos.

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  3. Ginny Hartzler21 June 2012 at 03:52

    Wow, these are truly monumental, I bet they are HUGE!!!! A wonderful post to look at, a feast for the eyes.

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  4. Linda21 June 2012 at 04:37

    What an amazing place!

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  5. Nieske's fotosite21 June 2012 at 13:10

    Mooie foto's...prachtig standpunten en prima
    detail opnames...
    complimenten

    gr. Nieske

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  6. FBS Headmaster21 June 2012 at 18:02

    wow wow wow... impressive construction... imagining building it while still have to face attack from the enemies... this is really amazing.

    Latest in room8five: Genting Highland and Zouk KL

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  7. Lies21 June 2012 at 20:14

    Serieus ommuurd, Filip, die stad... Pittoreske torens !

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  8. Jana21 June 2012 at 21:50

    really strong, beautiful and majestic!
    ...greetings from bella Sardegna:-)

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  9. Emilie's daughter21 June 2012 at 21:50

    Massive instructions! No wonder you were impressed! I like the little houses between the towers. Impressions that make hungry for more... Christa

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  10. CameraCruise22 June 2012 at 07:14

    Wow, what an amazing place.

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  11. LifeRamblings22 June 2012 at 18:13

    such a magnificent place and thanks for the bits of information.

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  12. orvokki23 June 2012 at 11:32

    Nice to see these fotos. They are beautifll.
    Now I don't need to travel to Tallin.. :)
    Greetings.

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  13. Jeanne23 June 2012 at 16:25

    What amazing narrow passageways, and so interesting, the name FAT MARGARET, although I can certainly see where they got the name...

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  14. Breathtaking23 June 2012 at 16:32

    This was such an interesting post.These historical walls towers and gateways were made to last.You can see this just by looking at their sturdy construction, and they deserve to be preserved and protected by UNESCO.It's amazing how so much of these ancient walls remain.

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  15. AVCr8teur24 June 2012 at 18:03

    Wow, it is like a fortress everywhere. The town must have been well-protected in ancient times.

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  16. Dietmut2 July 2012 at 21:31

    geweldig Filip en Kristel, groetjes Dietmut

    ReplyDelete

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