Planning a trip to Tallinn? Read these curious facts about the Estonian capital:
1. A mouse robbed a bank
Imagine popping to the cash machine to get some money out and finding a half-eaten bank note sliding out of the hole. You’d think something funny was going on wouldn’t you? But would you immediately think that it was the work of a little mouse who had found his way into the ATM in Tallinn and chewed his way through hundreds of Estonian Kroons? The mouse had made a nice bed out of the notes and had munched a few over the course of the weekend.
2. Where Skype comes from
No offense but would any one guess that the world communication phenomenon Skype came from Estonia, and more strangely was developed by a group of men including an Estonia man called Jaan Tallinn? It’s true. The company were also responsible for the file-sharing site Kazaa. Skype currently has offices all over Europe and some in America, with one of the largest ones in Tallinn.
3. The last Gothic town hall
This might surprise some people but Tallinn can proudly play host to the only surviving town hall to have been built in its original Gothic style. The hall dates back to the 13th Century and is a fine example of the period’s architecture. The most famous and appealing part about it is the weather vane high up on the top of the building. It’s a figure of Old Thomas, who is said to guard the city. He was a young boy who was an expert archer and could knock wooden parrots off the top of the spire using his crossbow. The original vane now lives inside the Town Hall, as it was knocked off during WW2.
Hotels near Tallinn Town Hall
- Hotel St. Petersburg – 4 star hotel – double room from €95
- Merchant’s House Hotel – 4-star hotel – double room from €89
- Hostel Vana Tom – Double room from €35
View of Tallinn Town Hall, Estonia, by I3aac
Topic: General Travel |
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About the author
Phil is a freelance writer working on various writing and editing projects ranging from feature film scripts to travel writing. He enjoys writing from experience and sharing information on the many places he has visited over the years
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