Great Guild Hall

The Great Guild Hall is one of medieval Tallinn's most notable public structures. The Gothic-style edifice was constructed in 1410 and was located near the Town Hall on what was once the main roadway. The Great Guild, an association of Hanseatic merchants, commissioned it. The Great Guild Hall has hosted a wide range of events over the years, from magnificent celebrations to church services and judicial trials. The cellar was used to store wine in the Middle Ages, and the popular wine cellar Das Süsse Loch ("Sweet Hole") thrived there in the 19th and 20th centuries. The structure, formerly known as the Stock Exchange, was utilized not just for commerce but also as a vibrant cultural center during the nineteenth century. Since 1952, the Estonian History Museum has been housed in the Great Guild Hall. The building was completely restored and refurbished in 2010–2011.

The building and renewal of the permanent display were funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Estonian Ministry of Culture, with the assistance of Enterprise Estonia. The project began in April 2009 and ended in May 2011. The Estonian History Museum, OÜ KOKO Arhitektid, and OÜ Produktsioonigrupp collaborated on the interior design and creation of a new permanent display. OÜ Restor accomplished the architectural design, while OÜ Tarrest Ehitus was in charge of the construction.

Tallinn's Great Guild Hall has a long history that is intertwined with the history of trade and cultural advancements in medieval northern Europe. For centuries, the Great Guild of Tallinn Merchants was the most powerful institution in the city. The history of the Great Guild's dealings with the Hanseatic League tells the fascinating narrative of medieval European "integration." The European Heritage Label was bestowed on the Great Guild Hall in 2013.

Location: Tallinn, Estonia