The history of Toompea Castle, also known as Revel Fortress, is inextricably intertwined with the history of the Estonian government. For eight centuries, each ruler of the country strove to expand and strengthen an already invincible stronghold, attracting the best architects and artisans of their epoch to this enterprise.

Time happened to support Toompea Castle: it didn’t suffer from long sieges or devastating fires. Therefore, it has been perfectly preserved to this day. Proving that is the fact that today the parliament of Estonia sits within its walls.

Guests of Tallinn can explore the castle with a guided tour or on open days. Visitors will have a fantastic journey through a medley of historical epochs and architectural styles, united into a single whole in one of the most important landmarks of the city and the country.

Toompea Castle was founded in 1219 by King Valdemar II of Denmark on the slope of a steep hill of the same name. According to legend, one of the main characters of an Estonian epic, the giant hero Kalev, was buried here. For the rest of her life, his wife Linda came to her husband’s grave and covered it with huge boulders, which eventually formed the hill.

Another legend is connected with the appearance of the castle itself. In the past, the Toompea hill served as a hunting ground for kings and their entourage. One day, Valdemar II drove a deer to the edge of the cliff, but the proud animal preferred to dive rather than die at the hands of a man. The king, delighted with such an act, ordered to build a castle there. The town of Revel appeared nearby, which later became the contemporary Tallinn.

The most prominent part of Toompea Castle is the 45-meter high Tall Hermann observation tower. It was built at the end of the 14th century and is named after a character of medieval legends. It was once the tallest watchmen structure in Northern Europe. Today, the tower serves as one of the main hallmarks of the country. Every day, the Estonian national flag rises at its top, proudly fluttering in the wind.