Tallinn History

Tallinn, the capital and main politics, culture and transport centre of Estonia, was known as Reval under its early history. It lies on the north seashore of Estonia to the Gulf of Finland. Just 80 km to the north is located the Finnish capital Helsinki.
Etymology of Tallinn’s name
Like the city’s early history, the very word “Tallinn(a)”, so resonant with enigma and romantic legend, still eludes the scholar’s grasp, although the word is certainly Estonian. Was it named as “Taani-linn(a)” (Danish castle or town), or rather came from “tali-linna” (winter castle, town)? Nobody can be sure. The “-lunna” suffix has the same meaning as German “-burg” or Slavic “-grad”, or even English “-town”, i.e. that element is used to form city names.
The name of “Tallinna” became in 1918 the new name of the city after Germanic “Reval” (info-help).
It was the name of Independence for Estonia, when it got the freedom. Under the first years of independence, the city’s name has officially been changed to Tallinn. Usually the Estonian names end with a vowel. This transformation took place because somewhat confusingly foreigners, the word Tallinna still appears in modern Tallinn as the “-a” suffix can denote the genitive case (thus Tallinna Lennujaam means literally “Tallinn Airport”).
Historical names
The origin name of the capital (“Reval”) came from the Swedish and German name (old Swedish: Raffle, Latin: Revalia). The adaptation of the name began from 13th century. Before this moment the city was known as Lindanise (Swedish “Lindanas”, Danish “Lyndanisse”, Old East Slavic “Ledenets”). Other countries knew the city as Kesoniemi (Suomi) and Kolyvan (Колывань) in Old East Slavic – Russian and Ukainian.
Geographical location
Tallinn lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, in north central Estonia, around Ulemiste Lake. The lake is the main reservoir of the city's water sources. Another lake – Harku, is another big lake of Tallinn, has less meaning for the city. Although there are a few lakes in Tallinn, the city lacks rivers. Only in Pirita (a suburb of Talinn) there runs a significant river. This river and its valley are protected by ecological services as national park.
The city lies on a big limestone cliff. However, some parts of Tallinn are other hills, located on the big limestone one - Toompea and Lasnamae.
Tallinn is located at the seashore, so average level of it is less than 20 meters (65,5 feet) above the sea. The highest point is 64 meters (210 feet) above the sea, it’s located at Nomme district (to the south-west from the center).
The coastline runs through 46 kilometers (29 miles), although Tallinn’s length is less than 30 km (19 miles). The length of the seashore contains from 3 big and some smaller peninsulas – Kopli, Kakumae and Paljassaare.
History guide
When famous Arab geographer al-Idrisi completed his famous map of the world in 1154 marking the port of modern Tallinn on it, the history of human settlements here has already formed 3100 years. The first known presence of human here on the south coast of the Gulf of Finland is pertains to the 2nd millennium BC. Modern scientists think that the first people here began the history of Finnish-speaking tribes.
The city that is named Tallinn nowadays was grown as a very important crossroad of Russian and Scandinavian trade relations. Under the rule of Northern Crusaders in Denmark kingdom the city was the main target for expansion of Teutonic Knights. So by the beginning of 13th century the place was expanded by strong and important Denmark and after some years Christianity came here as the main religion.
The expansion and further Christian religion forced the region to enjoy the growth, wealth and stability. In 1825 the Hanseatic League founded the northern point of its trade and military alliance. The Hansa (German-dominated union) bought the area of southern seashore of the Gulf of Finland from Denmark in 1345, after 120 years after its coming to this northern seagate. The meaning of Tallinn as the main center and crossroad of Russian and Western plus Northern Europe hasn’t changed since the first settlements 3 centuries ago. Even more, the wealth and force of Hanseatic League served to the growth and popularity of Tallinn, so the locals enjoyed the strategic position of the city and port. The medieval Europe always was a militant, but Tallinn never had any bad influence of poverty and destructions. The trade port and city with population of 8,000 was smartly consolidated by walls and 66 fortified towers.
The historical Old Town
After beginning of the Protestant Reformation, the presence of German and its allies was rising more and more, so in 1561 Tallinn politically became a Sweden dominion.
When Russian tsar Peter the Great started the Great Northern War, the unconquerable army of Sweden capitulated (1716). Tallinn, as a part of conquested area of Sweden formally moved under the Russian Imperial influence; nevertheless it has full rights of an autonomy within the strong and powerful Empire. Development and might of the city and port were frozen after the industrial revolution of the 19th century, when the perfect geographical location of Tallinn has returned the value and uniqueness to the city. Together with the beginning of rising, the influence of Russia transferred to pressure.
The modern history of Estonia started at 1918. The 24 of February was proclaimed and signed the Manifesto of Independence. It became possible because of the war of independence with Russia. After 2 years, in 1920 the Tartu Peace Treaty was signed with Soviet Russia. USSR officially acknowledged and confirmed the independence and sovereignty of Estonian Republic. This independence lasted only two decades, until the end of the WWII. During it Estonia was occupied by Nazi army and some years after the Red Army of Soviet Union came here and hasn’t moved till the beginning of 1990s.
Of course, the Soviet influence let Estonia some advantages, like the Olympic regatta held at Pirita, suburb of Tallinn. Some new and modern buildings, hotels and offices were built. But Estonia was an independent state since 1918 and no actions of USSR can justify the occupation. So in August 1991, when Soviet Union just started to collapse, the independence of Estonian Republic was proclaimed again. Less then twenty years let Estonia and it’s capital Tallinn develop into a modern European country. The “Iron Curtain” of communism has broke down.
Historically Tallinn was divided into 3 parts:
•Toompea (Domberg) also known as the Cathedral Hill. It always was a place of the central authority – bishops in early city history, after this the seat of Teutonic Order knights, then the Baltic German nobility. Nowadays it is the place of the Estonian government, and many municipal buildings, embassies and consulates.
•The Old Town. This part was firstly inhabited during the Hanseatic rule. The old town was not united together with Toompea hill even 100 years ago.
•The Estonian town – place of settlement of Estonians. It lies to the south of the Old Town. It is the newest part of modern Tallinn as only in very last 19th century this part started to grow.
Tallinn has seen many war attacks… Bombing, robberies, fires, havocs tried to destroy the spirit of old walls, architecture and monuments. But it outlived everything – time has proved that it’s impossible to kill the spirit and charm. Now the medieval streets look almost the same like hundreds years ago. UNESCO has added its historical parts – the Hill and Toompea into its World Heritage list in 1997.
One of the symbols of the city – the Gothic Spire of St. Olav’s Church has never lost its greatness and value. Yes, it was in fire several times, but every time was rebuilt. Yes, the spire forfeit its rank of the highest building of the world (1549-1625). We agree, the spire was even reduced from 159 to 123 meters. But the building was always the symbol of Middle Ages, their traditions and romanticism. While it stands on its place and attracts our imagination, Old Tallinn will be one of the prodigies of the World!
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