Toompea Castle stands on Tallinn’s limestone hill and houses the Estonian Parliament, the Riigikogu. Its history reaches back to a fortress on this site, while the present complex brings together medieval remains and a Baroque façade. A weekday guided tour can take you inside the parliamentary buildings and explain Estonia’s government; from the hill, you can also look out over the Old Town. Check the castle’s website before planning around a tour, as dates and times can change.
A seat of power through changing rule
Toompea Hill has served as a centre of political power for centuries. A fortress stood here by the 9th century, and a stone stronghold was built in the 13th century by the German Knights of the Sword. Danes, Swedes and Russians later used the site as a base for regional rule, altering the castle as control changed.
The complex is not one building from one period. Its medieval defensive remains include the west wall and Tall Hermann tower. Other parts date from the period of Russian imperial rule, including a Government Administration building. The Parliament building was added in the castle courtyard in the 1920s, in an expressionist style. The Riigikogu has been based here since 1922.
The façade and Tall Hermann
The castle’s pink Baroque façade dates to the late 18th century, when a new palace was built over parts of the earlier fortress. That exterior sits beside the complex’s older defensive structures, giving the site a visible mix of periods rather than a single, uniform design.
Tall Hermann, at the southwestern corner of the hill, is part of the medieval fortifications. Estonia’s national flag is raised on the tower each morning, a daily ceremony linked to the country’s independence. From the hill, the castle and nearby church towers help define the skyline above Tallinn’s lower Old Town.
Taking a public tour
Public guided tours provide a way to see parts of the parliamentary complex and hear about Estonia’s history and system of government. Tours are held on weekdays in English, Russian or Estonian. Dates and times vary, so consult the Riigikogu website and make an advance reservation before you go. Bring photo ID for the security check.
A tour is a better fit if you want context about the Parliament and its work. If you are mainly interested in the hilltop setting and exterior, you can include the castle in a walk around Toompea and the surrounding Old Town.
Views around Toompea Hill
Kohtuotsa viewing platform is a short walk from the castle area and looks over Tallinn’s rooftops and church towers toward the Gulf of Finland. The words “The Times We Had” are painted on a wall at the platform, a familiar detail in photographs from this viewpoint.
Lindamäe Park is another nearby stop, shaded by old linden trees. The hill also has the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toomkirik, the Dome Church. Together, these sights make it easy to spend time exploring the area beyond the castle itself.
FAQ
Can you visit inside Toompea Castle?
Public guided tours allow visitors to see parts of the parliamentary complex. Check the Riigikogu website for tour dates and times, and reserve ahead.
Are tours of Toompea Castle free?
The public guided tours described in the available information are free. Check the Riigikogu website for current tour arrangements.
What languages are the guided tours in?
Weekday public tours are available in English, Russian and Estonian.
Do you need ID for a Toompea Castle tour?
Yes. Bring photo ID for the security check.
