Old Tallinn consists of two parts: Upper and Lower Town. Upper located on a hill Toompea (from Estonia Toompea - which means "Cathedral Hill"). These two adjacent, settlements in its history have lived different lives. In the upper city settled victuals nobles and rulers, and the bottom - traders, artisans, and others.

The first settlements in the territory of Tallinn was the wooden fortress on the hill of Toompea, which was founded around the 11th century. In 1219 the Danes led by King Valdemar II captured is strengthening. From that moment Vyshgorod became the location of the foreign rulers. The Danes started the construction of a stone fortress.

In 1346, the city passed into the hands of the Livonian Order, who began to actively upgrade the castle. As a result of this restructuring, the castle acquired the rectangular shape, the corners of which were built four towers. The first tower, built in 1360-70 years., Was the 48-meter structure, called "Long Hermann". Its modern form it acquired in the 15th century, when it was layered on 10 meters. The next tower was built Sture den Kerl from the south-east side. It had the shape of an octagon, put on a square base. At the same time this was built a small tower Pilshtike, built in the northwest corner of the castle. In 1502 the north-eastern tower was built Landskrona, which today we can observe in a dilapidated state. On the west side of Toompea castle was protected by a rocky cliff, on the other hand it was surrounded by a 15-meter ditch.

Since the beginning of the 16th century, the castle began to lose its defensive value, and gradually became the representative buildings - the palace. Since the mid-18th century in the castle after a long desolation that started with the Northern War, started to conduct restoration work. By decree of Catherine the Great in place of the eastern wall of the palace was built in the late Baroque style, which became the residence of the Governor-General Estland. The ditch was filled with stones left over from the broken wall. In those times the castle tower lost Sture den Curl.

Until now preserved northern and western walls and three towers. However, if you look at the castle from the west side, he will make a lasting impression: a huge building hangs over the steep hill. This scene captures the day and at night when the lights turn on.

Since 1918 the castle houses the government, and today the building is occupied Estonian Parliament - Riigikogu (Estonian. Riigikogu). The Estonian parliament is the supreme organ of state power and makes the most important decisions in the country, such as the appointment of the Prime Minister and Supreme Court judges. Today, the 48-meter tower Long Herman develops Estonian flag.

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