Estonian History Museum — Great Guild Hall
Films and hands-on displays at this extensive museum show how Estonian-dwellers lived, fought and survived through 11,000 years.
The museum covers Estonia's history from prehistoric times’ right up to the end of the 20th century.
It makes its home in the 15th century Great Guild Hall, itself a spectacular relic of Tallinn's past. It is no surprise that this hulking, gabled hall with its gigantic porch and lion’s head door knockers belonged to the Great Guild. Members of the guild, who had to be married German merchants, controlled the Town Council. In the cellar rooms, an exhibit called 'Power of the Elite' showcases the history of the building.
Among the other displays are 'Making a Fast Buck' in the coin chamber, which focuses on the sundry ways of payment seen in Estonia throughout history.
The weapons chamber presents wars and arms through the ages, with a simulator mimicking the sounds of each weapon displayed. The museum co-operates with a tactical shooting centre which offers an actual shooting experience with historical guns. With a museum ticket, visitors can ask for 5% discount on the range's 'History' package. See www.tacticalshooting.ee.
In Börsi käik, the narrow passageway that runs alongside the building, a 'Road of History' exhibit highlights the most important events of Estonia's past.
Children can look for the museum’s very own dragon, displayed for centuries on the building’s pillar. The museum’s courtyard presents several things that are ideal for little visitors.
Museum entrance is free with Tallinn Card.
TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews
tripadvisor rating 4.0 of 5
based on 355 reviews
not well organized
tripadvisor rating 3 of 5Not bad, but not really good. The building is impressive, but the museum is not as well organized as the other muiseums in Tallinn. You can get an impression, but if you are more interested in the... Read more comments
Tallinn, Great Guild Hall
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5Another museum in Tallinn worth visiting. Great to see the trading history of the town and the stories with it.
Worth visiting
tripadvisor rating 4 of 5We visited this local history museum with many interesting artifacts outlining the early history of Tallinn and housed in the beautiful old Guild Hall with great cellars. The video which was... Read more comments
