13-02-2014
Tallinn’s medieval fort dates back to the 14th century. Originally the limestone wall was 2.4km long, up to 16 meters high and three meters thick. Today about 1.9km is still intact and 20 of the original 46 observation towers have preserved, along with portions of two outer gates. Under the Old Town has a 17th century tunnels. During World War II, Tallinn residents used some of the 17th-century tunnels under Old Town as bomb shelters. From March 2010 these tunnels with fascinating legends are open to the public as a tourist attraction – one of the most popular in Tallinn.
Tallinn’s Old Town was entered on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1997 as an exceptionally complete and well preserved example of a medieval northern European trading city. The Lake Ulemiste is the largest lake surrounding Tallinn.
This Baltic state was under Soviet rule from the end of World War II in 1945, until independence was regained in 1991.
