Great Guild Hall, Tallinn, Estonia

Since the 14th century craftmen’s guilds were significant brotherhoods who drove interests of their members. The big guild of Tallinn was an union of wealthy merchants. Their base was the Great Guild Hall in downtown, opposite the church of Holy Spirit. The building itself was built in 1407-1410 and is a well-preserved sample of Medieval construction.

Today the Great Guild Hall houses a museum presenting Estonia's history from prehistoric times right up to the end of the 20th century. Films and interactive displays show how people here lived, fought and survived over the last 11,000 years.

References: Tallinn Tourism

User Reviews

Ivan Kuprijanov (15 months ago)
Really interesting museum in a superbly restored historical building. Across multiple floors, many fine and unique artifacts are on display here, including findings from the Viking and pre-Christian ages, hidden treasures, and tombs of ancient Estonian wealthy and mighty people ,-) However, it's worth noting that for just a few days, it was possible to observe ancient artifacts confiscated in 2018 at the Russian-Estonian border. After restoration, they are now expected to return to Ukraine.

Joep (15 months ago)
Honestly one of the most fun and interesting museums I have been to since a long time. Wonderful exhibition nice stories and understandable travel through the history of Estonia. Also very fun to see all the coins and their value next to different products to have an idea of how much the money is worth.

Kyle Fields (2 years ago)
Very kind and helpful staff. I learned a lot here, especially why Estonia didn't become a kingdom. The guild hall area at the bottom was very medieval looking and informative

Gary Brazel (2 years ago)
The Gothic Great Guild Hall was built for the Hanseatic merchants in 1410. It is now the Estonian History Museum. The building itself is worth seeing and the collection is, too.

Lasura (2 years ago)
A lovely museum, not very big but has some really wonderful exhibits. The staff were welcoming and helpful, spoke good English. Descriptions in Estonian and English.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

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Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Great Guild Hall

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