Editing Tallinn

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Estonia}}
{{Redirect|Reval}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| official_name      = Tallinn
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 280
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow = 1/3/2/2
 |image1 = Old Town of Tallinn, Tallinn, Estonia - panoramio (58 cropped).jpg
 |caption1 = [[Tallinn Old Town]] and [[St. Olaf's Church, Tallinn|St. Olaf's Church]] (middle)
 |image2 = Pikkhermann.jpg
 |caption2 = [[Pikk Hermann]]
 |image3 = Raekoja plats at night.jpg
 |caption3 = [[Raekoja plats, Tallinn|Town Hall Square]]
 |image4 = Iglesia de San Nicolás, Tallinn, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 07.JPG
 |caption4 =[[St. Nicholas Church, Tallinn|St. Nicholas Church]]
 |image5 = Vabaduse väljak 01.01.2023.jpg
 |caption5 = [[Freedom Square, Tallinn|Freedom Square]]
 |image6 = Stenbocki maja 30-04-2013.jpg
 |caption6 =[[Stenbock House]]
 |image7 = Le KUMU, musée dart estonien (Tallinn) (7643040944).jpg
 |caption7 = [[Kumu (museum)|Kumu Art Museum]]
 |image8 = Tallinna südalinna panoraam (2021).jpg
 |caption8 = [[Tallinn Bay]] and city centre 
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Tallinn.svg
| image_shield       = Tallinn wapen.svg
| image_blank_emblem = Tallinn city logo.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Brandmark]]
| blank_emblem_size  = 120px
| blank_emblem_alt   = Logo of Tallinn
| blank_emblem_link  = 
| anthem             = <!--not an anthem, one part of current city branding: ''Tallinn''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tallinn.ee/et/tallinna-tunnusmuusika|title=Tallinna tunnusmuusika|language=et|access-date=5 January 2024|website=tallinn.ee}}</ref>-->
| image_map          = {{infobox mapframe|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=250|frame-height=300|zoom=9|frame-lat=59.437|frame-long=24.7536|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=2|id=Q1770|title=Tallinn}}
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = Interactive map outlining Tallinn 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Europe##Location in the [[Baltic Sea]] region##Location within Estonia
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| pushpin_map        = Europe#Baltic Sea#Estonia
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Estonia}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Counties of Estonia|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Harju County|Harju]]
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = [[List of mayors of Tallinn|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Jevgeni Ossinovski]]
| government_type    = [[Tallinn City Government]]
| governing_body     = [[Tallinn City Council]] 
| parts              = 8 districts
| established_title  = First confirmed written record
| established_date   = 1219
| established_title1 = First possible appearance on map
| established_date1  = 1154
| established_title2 = [[Lübeck City Rights|City rights]]
| established_date2  = 1248
| area_total_km2     = 159.2
| area_total_sq_mi   = 61.5
| population_footnotes = <ref name="stat-pop">{{cite web |url= https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/RV0240 |title= Population by sex, age and place of residence after the 2017 administrative reform, 1 January |publisher= Statistics Estonia |access-date= 10 Feb 2024 |archive-date= 14 July 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210714064911/https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/RV0240 |url-status= live }}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2025
| population_total   = 461602
| population_urban   = 638076<ref name="FUA,Euro">{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/URB_LPOP1/default/table?lang=en&category=urb.urb_luz|title=Eurostat|website=eurostat.ec.europa.eu|access-date=1 October 2023|archive-date=19 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619104844/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/URB_LPOP1/default/table?lang=en&category=urb.urb_luz|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_rank    = [[List of cities and towns in Estonia|1st in Estonia]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_demonym = ''Tallinner'' (English)<br>{{lang|et|tallinlane}} (Estonian)
<!-- GDP  --------------->| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://andmed.stat.ee/pxweb/en/stat/stat__majandus__rahvamajanduse-arvepidamine__sisemajanduse-koguprodukt-(skp)__regionaalne-sisemajanduse-koguprodukt/RAA0050.px/|title=GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY COUNTY|website=stat.ee}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Capital city]]
| demographics2_info1 = €19.1 billion (2023)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = €41,917 (2023)
| timezone           = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset         = +2
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +3
| blank1_name_sec1   = International airport
| blank1_info_sec1   = [[Tallinn Airport|Lennart Meri Tallinn]] ([[International Air Transport Association airport code|TLL]])
| blank3_name        = [[City budget]]
| blank3_info        = €1.26 billion<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tallinn.ee/en/news/tallinns-2024-social-sector-budget-focuses-strengthening-social-protection|title=Tallinn's 2024 social sector budget focuses on strengthening social protection|website=tallinn.ee|access-date=16 December 2023|archive-date=16 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216203729/https://www.tallinn.ee/en/news/tallinns-2024-social-sector-budget-focuses-strengthening-social-protection|url-status=live}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 9
| coordinates        = {{coord|59|26|14|N|24|44|43|E|region:EE|display=inline,title}}
| website            = {{URL|tallinn.ee/eng}}
| iso_code           = EE-784
| footnotes = {{designation list
 | embed = yes
 | designation1 = WHS
 | designation1_offname = [[Tallinn Old Town|Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn]]
 | designation1_date = 1997 <small>(21st [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
 | designation1_number = 822bis<ref>{{cite web |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/822bis |title=Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref>
 | designation1_criteria = ii, iv
 | designation1_type = Cultural
 | designation1_free1name = UNESCO region
 | designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe]]
 }}
}}

'''Tallinn'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|æ|l|ɪ|n|audio=en-us-Tallinn.ogg}} {{respell|TAL|in}}, {{IPAc-en|USalso|ˈ|t|ɑː|l|ɪ|n}} {{respell|TAH|lin}};<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.infoplease.com/tallinn |title=Tal•linn |publisher=Dictionary.infoplease.com |access-date=20 May 2012}}</ref> {{IPA|et|ˈtɑlʲːinː|lang|ET-ee-Tallinn.ogg}}}} is the [[capital city|capital]] and [[List of cities in Estonia|most populous]] city of [[Estonia]]. Situated on a [[Tallinn Bay|bay]] in north Estonia, on the shore of the [[Gulf of Finland]] of the [[Baltic Sea]], it has a population of {{Circa|461,000}} (as of 2025)<ref name="stat-pop" /> and administratively lies in the [[Harju County|Harju]] ''[[Counties of Estonia|maakond]]'' (county). Tallinn is the main governmental, financial, industrial, and cultural centre of Estonia. It is located {{convert|187|km|abbr=on}} northwest of the country's second largest city, [[Tartu]], however, only {{convert|80|km|abbr=on}} south of [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]; it is also {{convert|320|km|abbr=on}} west of [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]], {{convert|300|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Riga]], [[Latvia]], and {{convert|380|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]]. From the 13th century until the first half of the 20th century, Tallinn was known in most of the world by variants of its other historical [[Names of Tallinn in different languages|name]] '''Reval'''.<ref name="thetravel"/>

Tallinn received [[Lübeck law|Lübeck city rights]] in 1248;<ref name="auto">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); the possible 1154 mention discussed in history section; no by-line.--> |date=28 October 2003 |title=Tallinn on noorem, kui õpikus kirjas! |url=http://epl.delfi.ee/news/melu/tallinn-on-noorem-kui-opikus-kirjas?id=50944436 |work=Delfi |access-date=6 July 2017 |archive-date=29 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829162032/http://epl.delfi.ee/news/melu/tallinn-on-noorem-kui-opikus-kirjas?id=50944436 |url-status=live }}</ref> however, the earliest evidence of human settlement in the area dates back nearly 5,000 years.<ref name="postimees.ee">{{cite web|url=http://www.postimees.ee/111369/villu-kadakas-pringlikutid-vabaduse-valjakul|title=Villu Kadakas: pringlikütid Vabaduse väljakul|date=25 April 2009|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=16 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816214137/http://www.postimees.ee/111369/villu-kadakas-pringlikutid-vabaduse-valjakul|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Ancient Estonia#Early Middle Ages|medieval indigenous]] population of what is now Tallinn and north Estonia was one of the last "[[pagan]]" civilisations in [[Europe]] to adopt [[Christianity]] following the [[Papal]][[Non parum animus noster|-sanctioned]] [[Northern Crusades]] in the 13th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://legacarta.intracen.org/country/est/|title= Country Profile – LegaCarta|access-date= 26 November 2019|archive-date= 22 September 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200922133506/https://legacarta.intracen.org/country/est/|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="thetravel">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetravel.com/is-tallinn-estonia-worth-visiting/|title=Why Estonia's Historic Capital City Of Tallinn Is Worth Visiting|first=Aaron|last=Spray|website=Thetravel.com|date=30 January 2023|access-date=5 March 2023|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305191341/https://www.thetravel.com/is-tallinn-estonia-worth-visiting/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first recorded claim over the place was laid by [[Kingdom of Denmark|Denmark]] after a successful [[Battle of Lyndanisse|raid in 1219]] led by King [[Valdemar II of Denmark|Valdemar II]], followed by a period of alternating [[History of Scandinavia|Scandinavian]] and [[State of the Teutonic Order|Teutonic]] rulers. Due to the strategic location by the sea, its [[Port of Tallinn|port]] became a significant [[market town|trade hub]], especially in the 14–16th centuries, when Tallinn grew in importance as the northernmost member city of the [[Hanseatic League]].<ref name="thetravel"/> [[Tallinn Old Town]] is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and is listed as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/822 |title=Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |date=7 December 1997 |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-date=5 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105193947/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/822 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, Tallinn had the highest number of startup companies per person among all capitals and larger cities in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303734204577464343888754210|title=The Many Reasons Estonia Is a Tech Start-Up Nation|first=Ben|last=Rooney|date=14 June 2012|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325083035/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303734204577464343888754210|url-status=live}}</ref> Tallinn is the birthplace of many international high-technology companies, including [[Skype]] and [[Wise (company)|Wise]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/web/estland-ein-einblick-in-die-start-up-szene-von-tallinn-a-1022184.html|title=Start-ups in Tallinn: Estland, das Silicon Valley Europas? – SPIEGEL ONLINE – Netzwelt|first=SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg|last=Germany|website=Der Spiegel|date=14 March 2015|access-date=28 April 2016|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325083035/http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/web/estland-ein-einblick-in-die-start-up-szene-von-tallinn-a-1022184.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="thetravel"/> The city is home to the headquarters of the [[European Union]]'s IT agency,<ref name="Ingrid Teesalu">{{cite web |author=Ingrid Teesalu |url=http://news.err.ee/politics/50bcfc35-1061-48b9-b12a-e47594d7fc84 |title=It's Official: Tallinn To Become EU's IT Headquarters |date=9 June 2011 |publisher=ERR |access-date=27 April 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102200538/http://news.err.ee/Politics/50bcfc35-1061-48b9-b12a-e47594d7fc84 |url-status=live }}</ref> and to the [[NATO]] [[Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence|Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence]].
In 2007, Tallinn was listed among the top-10 [[Smart city|digital cities]] in the world,<ref name="Digital cities of the world">{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/tech-capitals-of-the-world-20090619-co0t.html |title=Tech capitals of the world |work=The Age |date=15 May 2012 |access-date=20 May 2012 |archive-date=22 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422093136/http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/tech-capitals-of-the-world-20090619-co0t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 2022, Tallinn was listed among the top-10 "medium-sized European cities of the future".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://estonianworld.com/business/tallinn-in-the-top-ten-of-the-europes-cities-of-the-future-ranking/ |title=Tallinn in the top ten of the "Europe's cities of the future" ranking | first= Sten | last= Hankewitz |work=Estonian World |date=17 March 2022 |access-date=7 October 2022}}</ref>

== Names and etymology<span class="anchor" id="Names of Tallinn"></span><span class="anchor" id="Etymology of Tallinn"></span> ==
{{see also|Names of Tallinn in different languages}}
The name Tallinn(a){{IPA|et|ˈtɑi̯l.lɪnː|lang|ET-ee-Tallinn.ogg}} is [[Estonian language|Estonian]]. It has been widely considered a historical derivation of ''Taani-linna'',{{efn|The [[Finnic languages|Finnic]] element ''-linna'', like [[Germanic languages|Germanic]] ''-[[wikt:burg|burg]]'' and [[Slavic languages|Slavic]] ''-[[grad (geography)|grad]]'' /''-gorod'', originally meant "fortress", but has been used as a suffix in the formation of town names. The [[Estonian language|Estonian]] word ''linn'' nowadays means "town" or "city".}} meaning "Danish-castle"{{efn|The Danish heritage is also evident in the city's lesser coat of arms, depicting the [[flag of Denmark]] (''Dannebrog'').}} ({{langx|la|[[Castrum Danorum]]}}), conceivably because the [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danish]] invaders built the castle in place of the Estonian stronghold after the 1219 battle of Lyndanisse.<!--However, according to minor theories, it could also have come from ''tali-linna'' (winter-castle or town), or ''talu-linna'' (house/farmstead-castle or town).{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}-->

The Icelandic ''[[Njal's saga]]''—composed after 1270, but describing events between 960 and 1020—mentions an event that occurred somewhere in the area of Tallinn and calls the place ''Rafala'' (probably a derivation of ''[[Revala|Rävala]]'', ''Revala'', or some other variant of the Estonian name of the adjacent [[Ancient Estonia|medieval Estonian county]]). Soon after the Danish conquest in 1219, the town became known in the [[Scandinavia]]n and [[German language|German]] languages as ''Reval'' ({{langx|la|Revalia}}). The etymology of Reval and derivatives in Estonian is unclear and theories are numerous.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[KNR] Dictionary of Estonian Place names |url=https://arhiiv.eki.ee/dict/knr/index.cgi?Q=Revala |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=arhiiv.eki.ee}}</ref>

In international use, the English and German-language ''Reval''<ref>{{Audio|Reval.ogg|''Reval''}}; {{IPA|de|ˈʁeːval|lang|De-Reval.ogg}}</ref> as well as the Russian analog ''Revel'' ({{lang|ru|Ревель}}) were all gradually replaced by the Estonian name after the country became independent in 1918. At first, both Estonian forms, ''Tallinna'' and ''Tallinn'', were used.<ref>{{cite book |title=Tallinn in Your Pocket |last=Singer |first=Nat A. |author2=Steve Roman |year=2008 |publisher=In Your Pocket |isbn=978-0-01-406269-0 |page=11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PZdt1EnuafsC&pg=PA13 }}</ref><ref>''Tallinna'' in Estonian denotes also the [[genitive case]] of the name, as in ''Tallinna Sadam'' ('the [[Port of Tallinn]]').</ref>

[[File:Danmarks flag 1219 Lorentzen.jpg|thumb|left|The first-ever [[Flag of Denmark|Danish flag]] falling from the sky during the [[Battle of Lyndanisse|Battle of Lindanise (Tallinn)]], 15 June 1219. Painted by [[Christian August Lorentzen|C. A. Lorentzen]] in 1809.]]
[[Henry of Livonia]], in his [[Livonian Chronicle of Henry|chronicle]] ({{Circa|1229}}), called the town with the name that is also known to have been used up to the 13th century by Scandinavians: ''Lindanisa'' (or ''Lyndanisse'' in [[Danish language|Danish]],<ref>{{in lang|da}} In 1219, [[Valdemar II of Denmark]], leading the Danish fleet in connection with the [[Livonian Crusade]], landed by an Estonian town of Lindanisse</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://runeberg.org/salmonsen/2/7/0518.html |title=Salmonsens Konversations Leksikon |publisher=Runeberg.org |date=19 January 2012 |access-date=20 May 2012 |archive-date=10 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010155311/http://runeberg.org/salmonsen/2/7/0518.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{in lang|de}} Reval's ältester Estnischer Name Lindanisse, Verhandlungen der gelehrten estnischen Gesellschaft zu Dorpat. Band 3, Heft 1. Dorpat 1854, p. 46–47</ref> ''Lindanäs'' in [[Swedish language|Swedish]] and ''Ledenets'' in [[Old East Slavic]]).

In 1154, a town called {{lang|ar|قلون}} (''Qlwn''<ref>Fasman, The Geographer's Library, pp.17</ref> or ''Quwri''<ref name="TUE"/><ref>{{cite book |title=Birnbaum's Eastern Europe |page=431 |last1=Birnbaum |first1=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Birnbaum |last2=Mayes Birnbaum |first2=Alexandra |year=1992 |publisher=Harper Perennial |isbn=978-0-06-278019-5 |url=https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=%22who+called+the+settlement+Kolyvan%22 |access-date=25 October 2022 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025182016/https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=%22who+called+the+settlement+Kolyvan%22 |url-status=live }}</ref>) was recorded in the description of the world on the [[world map]] (''[[Tabula Rogeriana]]'') commissioned by the [[Normans|Norman]] King [[Roger II of Sicily]] and compiled by [[Arab]] cartographer [[Muhammad al-Idrisi]], who described it as "a small town like a large castle" among the towns of 'Astlanda'. It has been suggested that one possible transcription, 'Qlwn', may have denoted a predecessor of the modern city<ref>{{cite book |title=The Geographer's Library |last=Fasman |first=Jon |year=2006 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-14-303662-3 |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bE2oerrW_IkC&pg=PA17}}</ref><ref>"A glance at the history and geology of Tallinn" by Jaak Nõlvak. In [http://www.gi.ee/WOGOGOB/wogogob_web.pdf Wogogob 2004: Conference Materials] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720125323/http://www.gi.ee/WOGOGOB/wogogob_web.pdf |date=20 July 2011 }}</ref> and may somehow be related to a toponym ''Kolyvan'', which has been discovered from later [[East Slavic languages|East Slavic]] chronicles.<ref>{{cite book |title=Handbook of Russian Literature |last=Terras |first=Victor |year=1990 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-04868-1 |page=68 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VjKh2gkCudAC&pg=PA68 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Esthonian Review |publisher=University of California |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-D9DAAAAIAAJ&q=%22the+old+Russian+name+for+Reval+has+been+retained+(Kolyvan+from+Kalev)%22 |year=1919 }}</ref> However, a number of historians have considered connecting any of al-Idrisi's placenames with modern Tallinn erroneous, unfounded, or speculative.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tarvel |first=Enn |editor-last=Murray |editor-first=Alan |title=The North-Eastern Frontiers of Medieval Europe |publisher=Book Publishers |date=2016 |chapter=Chapter 14: Genesis of the Livonian town in the 13th century |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KgokDwAAQBAJ&q=tallinn+al+idrisi&pg=PT373 |isbn=978-1-409-43680-5}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Ammas |first=Anneli |date=18 January 2003 |title=Pealinna esmamainimise aeg kahtluse all |url=http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/pealinna-esmamainimise-aeg-kahtluse-all?id=6564560 |work=Eesti Päevaleht |access-date=6 July 2017 |archive-date=18 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118064600/https://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/pealinna-esmamainimise-aeg-kahtluse-all?id=6564560 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2003 |title=Miks ei usu ajaloolased Tallinna esmamainimisse 1154. aastal? |url=http://www.loodusajakiri.ee/horisont/artikkel103_95.html |magazine=Horisont |access-date=6 July 2017 |archive-date=5 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405130639/http://www.loodusajakiri.ee/horisont/artikkel103_95.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Tallinn}}
{{For timeline}}
The first archaeological traces of a small hunter-fisherman community's presence<ref name="postimees.ee"/> in what is now Tallinn's city centre are {{Circa|5,000}} years old. The [[Comb Ceramic culture|comb ceramic pottery]] found on the site dates to about 3000 BCE and [[Corded Ware culture|corded ware pottery]] to around 2500 BCE.<ref>{{cite news |first=Askur |last=Alas |language=et |title=The mystery of Tallinn's Central Square |url=http://www.ekspress.ee/2008/10/29/eesti-uudised/5040-vabaduse-platsi-mysteerium-kuhu-kadus-kaks-sajandit-ajalugu |publisher=EE |access-date=29 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105044712/http://www.ekspress.ee/2008/10/29/eesti-uudised/5040-vabaduse-platsi-mysteerium-kuhu-kadus-kaks-sajandit-ajalugu |archive-date=5 November 2008  }}</ref>[[File:Coat of arms of Tallinn (small).svg|thumb|The lesser coat of arms of Tallinn depicts the [[Flag of Denmark|Dannebrog]] cross.|left|113x113px]]
Around 1050 AD, a fortress was built in what is now central Tallinn, on the hill of [[Toompea]].<ref name="TUE">{{cite book |title=Toward an Understanding of Europe |last=Ertl |first=Alan |year=2008 |publisher=Universal-Publishers |isbn=978-1-59942-983-0 |page=381 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X9PGRaZt-zcC&pg=PA381 |access-date=25 October 2015 |archive-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926220423/https://books.google.com/books?id=X9PGRaZt-zcC&pg=PA381#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

As an important port on a major trade route between [[Novgorod Republic|Novgorod]] and western Europe, it became a target for the expansion of the [[Teutonic Knights]] and the Kingdom of Denmark during the period of [[Northern Crusades]] in the beginning of the 13th century when [[Roman Catholic Church|Christianity]] was forcibly imposed on the local population. The king of Denmark conquered Tallinn and northern Estonia in 1219.

In 1285, Tallinn, then known more widely as Reval, became the northernmost member of the [[Hanseatic League]]&nbsp;– a mercantile and military alliance of German-dominated cities in [[Northern Europe]]. The king of Denmark sold Reval along with other land possessions in northern Estonia to the Teutonic Knights in 1346. Reval was arguably the most significant [[Middle Ages|medieval]] port in the Gulf of Finland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/fi/article/20110110STO11392/turku-ja-tallinna-euroopan-kulttuuripaakaupungit-2011|title=Turku ja Tallinna – Euroopan kulttuuripääkaupungit 2011|date=1 October 2011|website=Aiheet &#124; Euroopan parlamentti|access-date=16 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516161418/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/fi/article/20110110STO11392/turku-ja-tallinna-euroopan-kulttuuripaakaupungit-2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Reval enjoyed a strategic position at the crossroads of trade between the rest of western Europe and [[Republic of Novgorod|Novgorod]] and [[Grand Duchy of Moscow|Muscovy]] in the east. The city, with a population of about 8,000, was very well fortified with [[Tallinn City Walls|city walls and 66 defence towers]]. The city wall has been described as an outstanding example of German Medieval fortification architecture.<ref>{{cite book|series=Studien zum Deutschtum im Osten|volume=6|title=Der Ostseeraum im Blickfeld der Deutschen Geschichte|publisher=Böhlau Verlag|author=Günther Grundmann|chapter=Die mittelalterliche Stadtbaukunst|pages=83}}</ref>

A [[weather vane]], the figure of an old warrior called [[Old Thomas]], was put on top of the spire of the [[Tallinn Town Hall]] in 1530. Old Thomas later became a popular symbol of the city.
[[File:Reval im Jahre 1650.png|600px|left|City skyline of Tallinn (Reval) and the harbour in 1650]]
In the early years of the [[Protestant Reformation]], the city converted to [[Lutheranism]]. In 1561, Reval (Tallinn) became a [[Dominions of Sweden|dominion]] of Sweden.

During the 1700–1721 [[Great Northern War]], [[Plague (disease)|plague]]-[[The plague during the Great Northern War#Lithuania, Livonia, Estonia|stricken]] Tallinn along with Swedish Estonia and Livonia [[Capitulation of Estonia and Livonia|capitulated]] to [[Tsardom of Russia]] (Muscovy) in 1710, but the local self-government institutions ([[Magistracy]] of Reval and [[Estonian Knighthood]]) retained their cultural and economical autonomy within Imperial Russia as the [[Governorate of Estonia]]. The Magistracy of Reval was abolished in 1889. The 19th century brought industrialisation of the city and the port kept its importance.

On 24 February 1918, the [[Estonian Declaration of Independence]] was proclaimed in Tallinn. It was followed by [[German Empire|Imperial German]] [[German occupation of Estonia during World War I|occupation]] until the end of [[World War I]] in November 1918, after which Tallinn became the capital of independent Estonia. During [[Estonia in World War II|World War II]], Estonia was first [[Occupation of the Baltic states|occupied]] by the Soviet army and annexed into the USSR in the summer of 1940, then [[German occupation of the Baltic states during World War II|occupied]] by [[Nazi Germany]] from 1941 to 1944.<!-- See History of Estonia, German Occupation of Estonia -- When German forces invaded there were about 1,000 remaining Jews in the city of Tallinn, nearly all of whom would die in the [[Holocaust]] at the hands of the Nazis before the war's end.<ref name="bh.org.il">{{cite web |title=The Jewish Community of Tallinn |url=https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/tallinn |publisher=The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot |access-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> --> During the German occupation Tallinn suffered from many instances of [[Aerial bombing of cities|aerial bombing]] by the [[Long-Range Aviation|Soviet air force]]. During the most destructive Soviet [[Bombing of Tallinn in World War II|bombing raid on 9–10 March 1944]], over a thousand incendiary bombs were dropped on the town, causing widespread fires, killing 757 people, and leaving over 20,000 residents of Tallinn without shelter. After the German retreat in September 1944, the city was [[Occupation of the Baltic states|occupied again by the Soviet Union]].
[[File:TLA_1465_1_973_Varemetes_Harju_tänav,_vasakul_Kuld_Lõvi_varemed_1944.jpg|thumb|Harju Street in Tallinn old town after the [[Bombing of Tallinn in World War II|Soviet aerial bombing in March 1944]]]]

During the [[1980 Summer Olympics]], the [[Sailing at the 1980 Summer Olympics|sailing (then known as yachting)]] events were held at [[Pirita (subdistrict)|Pirita]], north-east of central Tallinn. Many buildings, such as the [[Tallinn TV Tower]], "Olümpia" hotel, the new Main Post Office building, and the Regatta Centre, were built for the Olympics.

In 1991, the independent democratic Estonian nation was restored and a period of quick development as a modern European capital ensued. Tallinn became the capital of a ''de facto'' independent country once again on 20 August 1991. The Old Town became a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1997,<ref>{{cite web |title=Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/822/#:~:text=The%20Historic%20Centre%20(Old%20Town,coast%20of%20the%20Baltic%20Sea. |website=UNESCO |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311015917/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/822/#:~:text=The%20Historic%20Centre%20(Old%20Town,coast%20of%20the%20Baltic%20Sea. |url-status=live }}</ref> and the city hosted the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2002|2002 Eurovision Song Contest]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tallinn 2002 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/tallinn-2002 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327123624/https://eurovision.tv/event/tallinn-2002 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tallinn was the 2011 [[European Capital of Culture]], and is the recipient of the 2023 [[European Green Capital|European Green Capital Award]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nikel |first1=David |title=Introducing Estonia's Tallinn, European Green Capital 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2021/09/11/introducing-estonias-tallinn-european-green-capital-2023/?sh=467d6b7c735d |access-date=11 March 2022 |agency=Forbes |publisher=Integrated Whale Media Investments |date=September 11, 2021 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311015917/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2021/09/11/introducing-estonias-tallinn-european-green-capital-2023/?sh=467d6b7c735d |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and takes pride in its biodiversity and high air quality.<ref name=":55">{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=European Investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/sustainability-report-2021 |title=EIB Group Sustainability Report 2021 |date=2022-07-06 |publisher=European Investment Bank |isbn=978-92-861-5237-5 |language=EN |access-date=26 July 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716182307/https://www.eib.org/en/publications/sustainability-report-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saarniit |first=Helen |title=How can Estonia's transport and housing sectors contribute to cleaner air and a safer climate? |url=https://www.sei.org/featured/how-can-estonias-transport-and-housing-sectors-contribute-to-cleaner-air-and-a-safer-climate/ |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=SEI}}</ref> But critics say that the award was received on false promises since it won the title with its "[[15-minute city]]" concept, according to which key facilities and services should be accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride but the concept was left out of the green capital program and other parts of the 12 million euro program amount to a collection of temporary and one-off projects without any structural and lasting changes.<ref name="Pärli 2023">{{cite web | last=Pärli | first=Merilin | title=Critics: Tallinn's green capital program doesn't offer permanent changes | website=ERR | date=24 January 2023 | url=https://news.err.ee/1608861140/critics-tallinn-s-green-capital-program-doesn-t-offer-permanent-changes | access-date=13 February 2023 | archive-date=7 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207082336/https://news.err.ee/1608861140/critics-tallinn-s-green-capital-program-doesn-t-offer-permanent-changes | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Tallinn aerial 2022.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the city with its lakes and seaside coast]]
[[File:Härjapea jõgi, 1889.jpg|thumb|[[Härjapea]] river, 1889]]
Tallinn is situated on the southern coast of the [[Gulf of Finland]], in north-western Estonia.

The largest lake in Tallinn is [[Lake Ülemiste]] ({{convert|9.44|km²|1|abbr=on}}), which serves as the main source of the city's drinking water. [[Lake Harku]] is the second-largest lake within the borders of Tallinn and its area is {{convert|1.6|km²|1|abbr=on}}. The only significant river in Tallinn nowadays is the [[Pirita River|Pirita]] river, in the eponymous [[Pirita]] city district. Historically, a smaller river, called [[Härjapea]], flowed from Lake Ülemiste through the town into the sea, but the river was diverted into underground sewerage system in the 1930s and has since completely disappeared from the cityscape. References to it still remain in the street names Jõe (from ''jõgi'', river) and Kivisilla (from ''kivi sild'', stone bridge).

The length of the seaside coast is {{convert|46|km|0|abbr=on}}, comprising three larger ([[Kopli]], [[Paljassaare]], and [[Kakumäe]]) [[peninsula]]s. The city has a number of public beaches, including those at [[Pirita]], [[List of beaches in Estonia|Stroomi]], [[Kakumäe]], [[Harku]], and [[Pikakari]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Tallinn Annual Report 2011|page=41|publisher=Tallinn City Office|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ERLDff-KDpIC}}</ref>

The highest point in Tallinn, at 64 m (about 200&nbsp;ft) above sea level, is situated in [[Hiiu]], [[Nõmme]] District, in the south-west of the city. A large [[limestone]] cliff runs through the city. It can be seen at Toompea, [[Lasnamäe]], and [[Astangu]]. However, the hill at Toompea, despite its prominence, is not geologically connected to the larger limestone cliff formation.

The rocks and sediments underneath Tallinn are of different composition and age. Youngest are the [[Quaternary]] deposits. The materials of these deposits are [[till]], [[varve]]d [[clay]], sand, gravel, and pebbles that are of [[Quaternary glaciation|glacial]], marine and lacustrine origin. Some of the Quaternary deposits are valuable as they constitute [[aquifer]]s, or as in the case of gravels and sands, are used as construction materials. The Quaternary deposits are the fill of valleys that are now buried. The [[buried valley]]s of Tallinn are carved into older rock likely by ancient rivers to be later modified by glaciers. While the valley fill is made up of Quaternary sediments the valleys themselves originated from erosion that took place before the Quaternary.<ref name=Vaheretal2010/> The substrate into which the buried valleys were carved is made up of hard [[sedimentary rock]] of [[Ediacaran]], [[Cambrian]] and [[Ordovician]] age. Only the upper layer of Ordovician rocks protrudes from the cover of younger deposits, [[outcrop|cropping out]] in the [[Baltic Klint]] at the coast and at a few places inland. The Ordovician rocks are made up from top to bottom of a thick layer of limestone and [[marlstone]], then a first layer of [[argillite]] followed by first layer of sandstone and siltstone and then another layer of argillite also followed by sandstone and siltstone. In other places of the city, hard sedimentary rock is only to be found beneath Quaternary sediments at depths reaching as much as 120 m below sea level. Underlying the sedimentary rock are the rocks of the [[Fennoscandia]]n Craton including [[gneiss]]es and other [[metamorphic rock]]s with volcanic rock [[protolith]]s and [[rapakivi granite]]s. These rocks are much older than the rest ([[Paleoproterozoic]] age) and do not crop out anywhere in Estonia.<ref name=Vaheretal2010>{{cite journal|author-last=Vaher|author-first=Rein|author-last2=Miindel|author-first2=Avo|author-last3=Raukas|author-first3=Anto|author-link3=Anto Raukas|author-last4=Tavast|author-first4=Elvi|year=2010|title=Ancient buried valleys in the city of Tallinn and adjacent area|url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/Estonian_Journal_of_Earth_Sciences/2010/issue_1/earth-2010-1-37-48.pdf|journal=Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences|volume=59|issue=1|pages=37–48|doi=10.3176/earth.2010.1.03|doi-access=free|bibcode=2010EsJES..59...37V |access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809070236/http://www.kirj.ee/public/Estonian_Journal_of_Earth_Sciences/2010/issue_1/earth-2010-1-37-48.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
[[File:Tallinna vanalinn päikesetõusu ajal.jpg|thumb|Tallinn's [[Tallinn Old Town|Old Town]] on a September morning.]]

Tallinn has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb'') with warm, rainy summers and cold, snowy winters.<ref name=Peel>{{cite journal | author1=Peel, M. C. | author2=Finlayson, B. L. | author3=McMahon, T. A. | year=2007 | title=Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification | journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. | volume=11 | issue=5 | pages=1633–1644 | doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 | bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P | url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf | issn=1027-5606 | doi-access=free | access-date=14 March 2013 | archive-date=3 February 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203170339/http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>

Winters are cold, but mild for its latitude, owing to its coastal location. The average temperature in February, the coldest month, is {{convert|-3.6|C|F}}. During the winters, temperatures tend to hover close to freezing, but mild spells of weather can push temperatures above {{convert|0|C|F}}, occasionally reaching above {{convert|5|C}} while cold air masses can push temperatures below {{convert|-18|C}} an average of 6 days a year. Snowfall is common during the winters, which are cloudy<ref name=ncei>{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Estonia/CSV/Tallinn-Harku_26038.csv
|title = Tallinn-Harku Climate Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = [[NOAA]]
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417073857/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Estonia/CSV/Tallinn-Harku_26038.csv
|archive-date = 2024-04-17}}</ref> and characterised by low amounts of sunshine, ranging from only 20.7 hours of sunshine per month in December to 58.8 hours in February.<ref name=sun/> At the [[December solstice|winter solstice]], daylight lasts for less than 6 hours and 5 minutes.<ref name=TAD2>{{cite web |url = http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=242&month=6&year=2012&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1 | title = Sunrise and Sunset in Tallinn | publisher = Time and Date | access-date = 11 March 2013}}</ref>

Spring starts out cool, with freezing temperatures common in March and April, but gradually becomes warmer and sunnier in May, when daytime temperatures average {{convert|15.4|C|F}}, although nighttime temperatures still remain cool, averaging {{convert|-3.7|to|5.2|C|F}} from March to May.<ref name=temp/> In early spring, freezing temperatures are common in March and snowfall can occur in April.<ref name=ncei/>

Summers are warm with daytime temperatures hovering around {{convert|19.2|to|22.2|C|F}} and nighttime temperatures averaging between {{convert|9.8|to|13.1|C|F}} from June to August.<ref name=temp/> The warmest month is usually July, with an average of {{convert|17.6|C|F}}.<ref name=temp/> During summer, partly cloudy or clear days are common<ref name=ncei/> and it is the sunniest season, ranging from 255.6 hours of sunshine in August to 312.1 hours in July although precipitation is higher during these months.<ref name=precip/><ref name= sun/> At the [[June solstice|summer solstice]], daylight lasts for more than 18 hours and 40 minutes.<ref name=TAD2/>

Autumn starts out mild, with a September average daily mean of {{convert|12.0|C|F}} and increasingly becomes cooler and cloudier in November.<ref name=ncei/> In the early parts of autumn, temperatures commonly reach {{convert|16.1|C|F}} and at least one day above {{convert|21|C|F}} in September. In late autumn, snowfall can occur in October and freezing temperatures become more common in November.

Tallinn receives {{convert|700|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation annually, which is evenly distributed throughout the year although March, April and May are the driest months, averaging about {{convert|35|to|37|mm|abbr=on}}, while July and August are the wettest months with {{convert|82|to|85|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation.<ref name=precip/> The average humidity is 81%, ranging from a high of 89% to a low of 69% in May.<ref name=humidity/> Tallinn has an average windspeed of {{convert|3.3|m/s|abbr=on}} with winters being the windiest (around {{convert|3.7|m/s|abbr=on}} in January) and summers being the least windy at around {{convert|2.7|m/s|abbr=on}} in August.<ref name=ncei/> Extremes range from {{convert|-32.2|C|F}} on 31 December 1978 to {{convert|34.3|C|F}} on 30 July 1994.<ref name=extremes/>

Tallinn has one of the most unpredictable weather conditions among European capital cities,</ref> According to a 2021 study commissioned by price comparison site Uswitch.com, Tallinn was the most unpredictable European capital in terms of weather conditions, with a total score of 69/100. Riga and Helsinki took second and third places.</ref> mostly due to its location between a more maritime and a more continental climate and the variation in the duration of sunshine as a consequence of its high latitude.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://estonianworld.com/life/british-study-claims-tallinn-has-the-most-unpredictable-weather-among-european-capitals/| title = British study claims Tallinn has the most unpredictable weather among European capitals – Estonian World| date = 19 August 2021}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Tallinn, Estonia (normals 1991–2020 and extremes 1805–present)
| metric first = yes
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 9.2
|Feb record high C = 10.2
|Mar record high C = 17.1
|Apr record high C = 27.2
|May record high C = 31.4
|Jun record high C = 32.6
|Jul record high C = 34.3
|Aug record high C = 34.2
|Sep record high C = 28.0
|Oct record high C = 21.8
|Nov record high C = 14.1
|Dec record high C = 11.6
|year record high C = 34.3
|Jan high C = -0.7
|Feb high C = -1.0
|Mar high C = 2.8
|Apr high C = 9.5
|May high C = 15.4
|Jun high C = 19.2
|Jul high C = 22.2
|Aug high C = 21.0
|Sep high C = 16.1
|Oct high C = 9.5
|Nov high C = 4.1
|Dec high C = 1.2
|year high C = 9.9
|Jan mean C = -2.9
|Feb mean C = -3.6
|Mar mean C = -0.6
|Apr mean C = 4.8
|May mean C = 10.2
|Jun mean C = 14.5
|Jul mean C = 17.6
|Aug mean C = 16.5
|Sep mean C = 12.0
|Oct mean C = 6.5
|Nov mean C = 2.0
|Dec mean C = -0.9
|year mean C = 6.4
|Jan low C = -5.5
|Feb low C = -6.2
|Mar low C = -3.7
|Apr low C = 0.7
|May low C = 5.2
|Jun low C = 9.8
|Jul low C = 13.1
|Aug low C = 12.3
|Sep low C = 8.4
|Oct low C = 3.7
|Nov low C = -0.2
|Dec low C = -3.1
|year low C = 2.9
|Jan record low C = -31.4
|Feb record low C = -28.7
|Mar record low C = -24.5
|Apr record low C = -12.0
|May record low C = -5.0
|Jun record low C = 0.0
|Jul record low C = 4.0
|Aug record low C = 2.4
|Sep record low C = -4.1
|Oct record low C = -10.5
|Nov record low C = -18.8
|Dec record low C = -32.2
|year record low C = -32.2
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 56
|Feb precipitation mm = 40
|Mar precipitation mm = 37
|Apr precipitation mm = 35
|May precipitation mm = 37
|Jun precipitation mm = 68
|Jul precipitation mm = 82
|Aug precipitation mm = 85
|Sep precipitation mm = 58
|Oct precipitation mm = 78
|Nov precipitation mm = 66
|Dec precipitation mm = 59
|year precipitation mm = 700
|Jan humidity = 89
|Feb humidity = 86
|Mar humidity = 80
|Apr humidity = 72
|May humidity = 69
|Jun humidity = 74
|Jul humidity = 76
|Aug humidity = 79
|Sep humidity = 82
|Oct humidity = 85
|Nov humidity = 89
|Dec humidity = 89
|year humidity = 81
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 12.7
|Feb precipitation days = 10.6
|Mar precipitation days = 9.0
|Apr precipitation days = 7.5
|May precipitation days = 7.3
|Jun precipitation days = 9.5
|Jul precipitation days = 9.1
|Aug precipitation days = 10.3
|Sep precipitation days = 10.1
|Oct precipitation days = 12.9
|Nov precipitation days = 12.3
|Dec precipitation days = 13.1
|year precipitation days = 124.4
|Jan sun = 29.7
|Feb sun = 58.8
|Mar sun = 148.4
|Apr sun = 217.3
|May sun = 306.0
|Jun sun = 294.3
|Jul sun = 312.1
|Aug sun = 255.6
|Sep sun = 162.3
|Oct sun = 88.3
|Nov sun = 29.1
|Dec sun = 20.7
|year sun = 1922.7
| Jan uv  =0
| Feb uv  =1
| Mar uv  =1
| Apr uv  =3
| May uv  =4
| Jun uv  =5
| Jul uv  =5
| Aug uv  =4
| Sep uv  =3
| Oct uv  =1
| Nov uv  =0
| Dec uv  =0
|source 1 = [[Estonian Weather Service]]<ref name=temp>{{cite web| url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohutemperatuur/?lang=en| title = Climate normals-Temperature| publisher = Estonian Weather Service| access-date = 30 January 2021| archive-date = 9 June 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170609015247/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohutemperatuur/?lang=en| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=precip>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/sademed/?lang=en|title = Climate normals-Precipitation|publisher = Estonian Weather Service|access-date = 30 January 2021|archive-date = 10 September 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170910173021/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/sademed/?lang=en|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=humidity>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohuniiskus/?lang=en|title = Climate normals-Humidity|publisher = Estonian Weather Service|access-date = 30 January 2021|archive-date = 10 September 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170910180904/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohuniiskus/?lang=en|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=sun>{{cite web| url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/paikesepaiste-kestus/?lang=en| title = Climate normals-Sunshine| publisher = Estonian Weather Service| access-date = 30 January 2021| archive-date = 11 February 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200211222409/http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/paikesepaiste-kestus/?lang=en| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=extremes>{{cite web| url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/rekordid/ohutemperatuur/| title = Rekordid| language = Estonian| publisher = Estonian Weather Service| access-date = 19 March 2021| archive-date = 17 April 2024| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417081006/https://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/rekordid/ohutemperatuur/| url-status = live}}</ref>  
|source 2 = [[NOAA]]/[[NCEI]] (average precipitation days 1991–2020)<ref name=ncei/> Weather Atlas (average ultraviolet index),<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/estonia/tallinn-climate
|title = Tallinn, Estonia – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast
|publisher = Weather Atlas
|access-date = 31 July 2022
|archive-date = 5 June 2022
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220605162438/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/estonia/tallinn-climate
|url-status = live
}}</ref>}}
{|style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
!Colspan=14|Wind speed for Tallinn
|-
!Month
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year
|-
!Average wind speed m/s (ft/s)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000;"|3.7<br/>(12.1)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.5<br/>(11.5)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.4<br/>(11.2)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.3<br/>(10.8)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.1<br/>(10.2)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.0<br/>(9.8)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|2.8<br/>(9.2)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|2.7<br/>(8.9)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.0<br/>(9.8)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.3<br/>(10.8)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.6<br/>(11.8)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000"|3.8<br/>(12.5)
| style="background:#f8f9fa; color:#000; border-left-width:medium;"|3.3<br/>(10.8)
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source 1: [[NOAA]]/[[NCEI]]<ref name=ncei/>
|}
{|style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
!Colspan=14|Coastal temperature data for Tallinn
|-
!Month
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year
|-
!Average sea temperature °C (°F)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-20.0}};"|1.0<br/>(33.8)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-23.1}}"|0.1<br/>(32.2)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-23.1}}"|0.1<br/>(32.2)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-17.7}}"|1.7<br/>(35.1)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-0.2}}"|6.9<br/>(44.4)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|15.5}}"|13.4<br/>(56.1)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|24.4}}"|18.8<br/>(65.9)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|24.7}}"|19.0<br/>(66.2)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|19.5}}"|15.8<br/>(60.4)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|11.3}}"|10.8<br/>(51.4)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|0.0}}"|7.0<br/>(44.6)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-9.5}}"|4.1<br/>(39.4)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|4.0}}; border-left-width:medium;"|8.2<br/>(46.8)
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source 1: Seatemperature.org<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://live.seatemperature.org/europe/estonia/tallinn.htm|title =Tallinn Sea Temperature|date=2023-04-25 }}</ref>
|}

== Administrative districts ==
[[File:Districts of Tallinn named.svg|thumb|left|180px|Administrative districts of Tallinn]]
. 
{|  class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:5px; margin-right:0"
|-
!District
!Flag
!Arms
!Population<br>(2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tallinn.ee/en/statistics/statistical-yearbook-tallinn|title=Statistical Yearbook of Tallinn 2022|publisher=Tallinn city government|date=19 May 2023|access-date=19 May 2023|archive-date=19 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519185431/https://www.tallinn.ee/en/statistics/statistical-yearbook-tallinn|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Area
!Density
|-
| [[Haabersti]] || align=center | [[File:Flag of Haabersti district, Tallinn, Estonia.svg|40px|border]] || align=center | [[File:Haabersti linnaosa vapp.svg|30px]] || align=right | {{formatnum:47980}} || align=right | {{convert|22.26|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 2,157.2/km<sup>2</sup> (5,587.1/sq mi)
|-
| [[Kesklinn, Tallinn|Kesklinn]] (centre) || align=center | [[File:Kesklinn linnaosa lipp.svg|40px]] || align=center | [[File:Kesklinn linnaosa vapp.svg|30px]]|| align=right | {{formatnum:65041}} || align=right | {{convert|30.56|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 2,128.3/km<sup>2</sup> (5,512.4/sq mi)
|-
| [[Kristiine]] || align=center | [[File:Kristiine linnaosa lipp.svg|40px|border]] || align=center | [[File:Kristiine linnaosa vapp.svg|30px]]|| align=right | {{formatnum:32725}} || align=right | {{convert|7.84|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 4,175.4/km<sup>2</sup> (10,814.4/sq mi)
|-
| [[Lasnamäe]] || align=center | [[File:Flag of Lasnamäe district, Tallinn, Estonia.svg|40px|border]] || align=center | [[File:Lasnamäe linnaosa vapp.svg|30px]]|| align=right | {{formatnum:117230}} || align=right | {{convert|27.47|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 4,269.0/km<sup>2</sup> (11,056.6/sq mi)
|-
| [[Mustamäe]] || align=center | [[File:Mustamäe linnaosa lipp.svg|40px]] || align=center | [[File:Mustamäe linnaosa vapp.svg|30px]]|| align=right | {{formatnum:65978}} || align=right | {{convert|8.09|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 8,156.1/km<sup>2</sup> (21,124.3/sq mi)
|-
| [[Nõmme]] || align=center | [[File:Flag of Nõmme district, Tallinn, Estonia.svg|40px|border]] || align=center | [[File:Nõmme linnaosa vapp.svg|30px]]|| align=right | {{formatnum:37402}} || align=right | {{convert|29.17|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 1,282.1/km<sup>2</sup> (3,320.6/sq mi)
|-
| [[Pirita]] || align=center | [[File:Flag of Pirita district, Tallinn, Estonia.svg|40px]] || align=center | [[File:Pirita linnaosa vapp.svg|30px]]|| align=right | {{formatnum:19034}} || align=right | {{convert|18.73|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 1,016.1/km<sup>2</sup> (2,631.7/sq mi)
|-
| [[Põhja-Tallinn]] || align=center | [[File:Põhja-Tallinn linnaosa lipp.svg|40px]] || align=center | [[File:Põhja-Tallinn COA.svg|30px]]|| align=right | {{formatnum:59612}} || align=right | {{convert|15.9|km²|1|abbr=on}} || align=right | 3,751.6/km<sup>2</sup> (9,717.6/sq mi)
|}

Tallinn is subdivided into eight administrative ''linnaosa'' (districts). Each district has a ''linnaosa valitsus'' (district government) which is managed by a ''linnaosavanem'' (district elder) who is appointed by the city government. The function of the "district governments", however, is not directly governing, but just limited to providing advice to the city government and the city council on issues related to the administration of respective districts.

The districts are administratively further divided into 84 ''asum'' (subdistricts or "neighbourhoods" with officially defined borders).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tallinn.ee/est/Tallinn-arvudes-2015-2 |title=01.01.2015 |access-date=31 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119212926/http://www.tallinn.ee/est/Tallinn-arvudes-2015-2 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Government==
The city is governed by the [[Tallinn City Council]] which consists of 79 members elected to four year terms via party list. The mayor is elected by the city council.

== Demographics ==
<!--redundant details: [[File:Tallinn population pyramid in 2023.svg|thumb|left|Tallinn population pyramid in 2023]]-->
{{Historical population|9=1881|10=50488|11=1897|12=64572|13=1922|14=122419|15=1934|16=137792|17=1959|18=281714|19=1970|20=369583|21=1979|22=441800|23=1989|24=499421|25=2000|26=400378|27=2011|28=393222|29=2021|30=437817|source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=1881, 1897, 1922, 1934, 1959, 1970, 1979, 1989 Census Basic Data|url=https://www.stat.ee/et/avasta-statistikat/loendused/rahvaloendus-2021/rahvaloendustest-eestis/1881-1897-1922-1934-1959-1970-1979-1989-aasta-rahvaloenduse-pohiandmed|language=et|publisher=[[Statistics Estonia]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population and Housing Census 2000-2021|url=https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat|work=Public Database|publisher=[[Statistics Estonia]]}}</ref>}}

The population of Tallinn on 1 January 2024 was 457,572.<ref name="stat-pop" /> It is the [[primate city|primate]] and [[List of cities and towns in Estonia|most populous]] city in Estonia, the [[List of cities in the Baltic states by population|3rd most populous]] city in the three [[Baltic States]] (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), as well as the [[List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits|59th most populous]] city in the European Union.

According to [[Eurostat]], in 2004, Tallinn had one of the largest number of non-EU nationals of all EU member states' capital cities. Ethnic Russians are a significant minority in Tallinn, as around a third of the city's residents are first and second generation immigrants from Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union; a majority of the Soviet-era immigrants now hold Estonian citizenship.<ref>{{cite book |author=Eurostat |title=Regions: Statistical yearbook 2004 |publisher=Office for Official Publications of the European Communities |location=Luxembourg |year=2004 |page=115/135 |url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-AF-04-001/EN/KS-AF-04-001-EN.PDF |author-link=Eurostat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529200628/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-AF-04-001/EN/KS-AF-04-001-EN.PDF |archive-date=29 May 2010  }}</ref>

Ethnic Estonians made up over 80% of Tallinn's population before World War II. As of 2022, ethnic Estonians made up over 53% of the population. Tallinn was one of the urban areas with industrial and military significance in northern Estonia that during the period of [[Occupation of the Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] underwent extensive changes in its ethnic composition due to large influx of immigrants from Russia and other parts of the former USSR. Whole new city districts were built where the main intent of the then Soviet authorities was to accommodate Russian-speaking immigrants: Mustamäe, Väike-Õismäe, Pelguranna, and most notably, Lasnamäe, which in 1980s became, and is to this day, the most populous district of Tallinn.

The official language of Tallinn is Estonian. As of 2011, 50.1% of the city's residents were native speakers of Estonian, whereas 46.7% had Russian as their [[first language]]. While English is the most frequently used foreign language by the residents of Tallinn, there are also a significant number of native speakers of [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] and [[Finnish language|Finnish]].<ref name="Tallinn_City_Council">{{cite web |title=Tallinn arvudes / Statistical Yearbook of Tallinn |language=et, en |publisher=Tallinn City Council |date=3 August 2011 |url=http://www.tallinn.ee/est/g2677s56143 |access-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521185751/http://www.tallinn.ee/est/g2677s56143 |archive-date=21 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{clear|right}}
<div style="overflow:auto">
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Ethnic composition 1922–2021
! rowspan="2" |Ethnicity
! colspan="2" |1922<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:440178 |title=1922 a. üldrahvalugemise andmed. Vihk I ja II, Rahva demograafiline koosseis ja korteriolud Eestis |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1924 |isbn=9789916103067 |location=Tallinn |page=33 |language=et, fr |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010107/https://www.digar.ee/arhiiv/nlib-digar:440178 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1934<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10062/4439 |title=Rahvastiku koostis ja korteriolud. 1.III 1934 rahvaloenduse andmed. Vihk II |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1935 |location=Tallinn |pages=47–53 |language=et, fr |hdl=10062/4439 |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010008/https://dspace.ut.ee/items/bb3bac8a-8400-4f68-bea9-f4ac9b331652 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1941<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:117429 |title=Eesti Statistika : kuukiri 1942-03/04 |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1942 |location=Tallinn |pages=66–67 |language=de, et |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010110/https://www.digar.ee/arhiiv/nlib-digar:117429 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1959<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Statistikaamet |url=https://www.stat.ee/sites/default/files/2020-08/Eesti%20rahvastik%20rahvaloenduste%20andmetel.%20I.%20Population%20of%20Estonia%20by%20Population%20Censuses.pdf |title=Eesti rahvastik rahvaloenduste andmetel. I. |publisher=Grafinet |year=1995 |isbn=9985-826-17-5 |location=Tallinn |page=66 |language=et, en}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1970<ref name=":0" />
! colspan="2" |1979<ref name=":0" />
! colspan="2" |1989<ref name=":0" />
! colspan="2" |2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL222: RAHVASTIK ELUKOHA JA RAHVUSE JÄRGI |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/pxweb/et/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2000__rahvus-emakeel-veerkeelte-oskus/RL222.px/ |website=Estonian Statistical Database |language=et |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010114/https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2000__rahvus-emakeel-veerkeelte-oskus/RL222 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="RL0429">{{cite web |title=RL0429: RAHVASTIK RAHVUSE, SOO, VANUSERÜHMA JA ELUKOHA JÄRGI, 31. DETSEMBER 2011 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2011__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel-ja-keelteoskus-murded/RL0429 |website=Estonian Statistical Database |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010030/https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2011__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel-ja-keelteoskus-murded/RL0429 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL21429: Rahvastik Rahvuse, Soo, Vanuserühma Ja ELukoha (Haldusüksus) Järgi, 31. DETSEMBER 2021 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/pxweb/et/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel/RL21429.px/ |website=Estonian Statistical Database |language=et |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919002332/https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel/RL21429 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|[[Estonians]]
|102,568
|83.9
|117,918
|85.6
|132,396
|94.0
|169,697
|60.2
|201,908
|55.7
|222,218
|51.9
|227,245
|47.4
|215,114
|53.7
|217,601
|55.3
|233,520
|53.3
|-
|[[Russians]]
|7,513
|6.14
|7,888
|5.72
|5,689
|4.04
|90,594
|32.2
|127,103
|35.0
|162,714
|38.0
|197,187
|41.2
|146,208
|36.5
|144,721
|36.8
|149,883
|34.2
|-
|[[Ukrainians]]
| –
| –
|35
|0.03
| –
| –
|7,277
|2.58
|13,309
|3.67
|17,507
|4.09
|22,856
|4.77
|14,699
|3.67
|11,565
|2.94
|15,450
|3.53
|-
|[[Belarusians]]
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
|3,683
|1.31
|7,158
|1.97
|10,261
|2.39
|12,515
|2.61
|7,938
|1.98
|6,229
|1.58
|6,154
|1.41
|-
|[[Finns]]
| –
| –
|304
|0.22
|214
|0.15
|1,650
|0.59
|2,852
|0.79
|2,996
|0.70
|3,271
|0.68
|2,436
|0.61
|2,062
|0.52
|3,431
|0.78
|-
|[[Jews]]
|1,929
|1.58
|2,203
|1.60
|0
|0.00
|3,714
|1.32
|3,750
|1.03
|3,737
|0.87
|3,620
|0.76
|1,598
|0.40
|1,460
|0.37
|1,405
|0.32
|-
|[[Latvians]]
| –
| –
|572
|0.42
|340
|0.24
|702
|0.25
|1,007
|0.28
|1,259
|0.29
|1,032
|0.22
|827
|0.21
|628
|0.16
|1,500
|0.34
|-
|[[Germans]]
|6,904
|5.65
|6,575
|4.77
| –
| –
|125
|0.04
|217
|0.06
|332
|0.08
|516
|0.11
|516
|0.13
|492
|0.13
|1,219
|0.28
|-
|[[Tatars]]
| –
| –
|75
|0.05
| –
| –
|745
|0.26
|1,055
|0.29
|1,500
|0.35
|1,975
|0.41
|1,265
|0.32
|1,012
|0.26
|1,033
|0.24
|-
|[[Polish people|Poles]]
| –
| –
|599
|0.43
|502
|0.36
|759
|0.27
|967
|0.27
|1,084
|0.25
|1,240
|0.26
|936
|0.23
|768
|0.20
|940
|0.21
|-
|[[Lithuanians]]
| –
| –
|92
|0.07
|97
|0.07
|594
|0.21
|852
|0.23
|905
|0.21
|1,052
|0.22
|949
|0.24
|795
|0.20
|1,092
|0.25
|-
|Unknown/Not stated
|0
|0.00
|368
|0.27
|150
|0.11
|0
|0.00
|0
|0.00
|1
|0.00
|7
|0.00
|3,694
|0.92
|709
|0.18
|4,317
|0.99
|-
|Other
|3,354
|2.74
|1163
|0.84
|1,523
|1.08
|2,174
|0.77
|2,528
|0.70
|4,023
|0.94
|6,458
|1.35
|4,198
|1.05
|5,180
|1.32
|17,873
|4.08
|-
!Total
!122,268
!100
!137,792
!100
!140,911
!100
!281,714
!100
!362,706
!100
!428,537
!100
!478,974
!100
!400,378
!100
!393,222
!100
!437,817
!100
|}
</div>

{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Largest ethnic groups<ref name="pub.stat.ee">{{cite web|url=http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/DataSort.asp?Matrix=PO0222U&timeid=2019112641513&lang=1&noofvar=4&numberstub=3&NoOfValues=1|title=POPULATION, 1 JANUARY by Sex, County, Ethnic nationality and Year|website=pub.stat.ee|access-date=26 November 2019|archive-date=19 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219021846/https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! Ethnic group || Population (2022) || %
|-
|Estonians || 233,518 || 53.34
|-
|Russians || 149,878 || 34.23
|-
|Ukrainians || 15,449 || 3.53
|-
|Belarusians || 6,153 || 1.40
|-
|Finns || 3,431 || 0.78
|-
|Jews || 1,405 || 0.32
|-
|Latvians || 1,343|| 0.34
|-
|Germans || 1,219|| 0.28
|-
|Lithuanians || 1,092|| 0.25
|-
|Armenians|| 1,043 || 0.24
|-
|Tatars || 1,033 || 0.24
|-
|Azerbaijanis|| 1,029|| 0.23
|-
|Poles || 940|| 0.21
|-
|Other || 15,960 || 3.64
|-
|Unknown || 4,318 || 0.99
|}

== Religion ==
The pie chart to the right shows the distribution of religion in Tallinn as of 2021.
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Tallinn (2021)<ref>[https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__usk/RL21452 RL21452: AT LEAST 15-YEAR-OLD PERSONS BY RELIGION AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE (ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT), 31 DECEMBER 2021], Statistics Estonia</ref>
|label1 = Unaffiliated 
|value1 = 64.4
|color1 = White 
|label2 = Orthodox & Old Believers 
|value2 = 23.8
|color2 = Pink 
|label3 = Lutheran 
|value3 = 6.0
|color3 = DodgerBlue 
|label4 = Catholic 
|value4 = 1.15
|color4 = Purple 
|label5 = Others Christian 
|value5 = 1.7
|color5 = LightBlue 
|label6 = Muslims
|value6 = 1.15
|color6 = Green
|label7 = Others Religions or Unknown 
|value7 = 1.8
|color7 = Yellow 
}}

== Economy ==
[[File:Rotermann Quarter.jpg|thumb|Rotermann business district]]
{{see also|List of companies based in Tallinn}}
Tallinn has a highly diversified economy with particular strengths in information technology, tourism and logistics. More than half of Estonia's GDP is created in Tallinn.<ref name="BBN">{{cite web |author=Kaja Koovit |url=http://www.balticbusinessnews.com/?PublicationId=f47e445a-e234-432f-b7b0-137ca0bff47d |title=Half of Estonian GDP is created in Tallinn |publisher=Balticbusinessnews.com |access-date=20 May 2012 |archive-date=18 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318051947/http://www.balticbusinessnews.com/?PublicationId=f47e445a-e234-432f-b7b0-137ca0bff47d |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, the GDP per capita of Tallinn stood at 172% of the Estonian average.<ref name="Statistics">{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.ee/dokumendid/30210|title=Half of the gross domestic product of Estonia is created in Tallinn|publisher=Estonian Statistics Office|access-date=20 May 2012|archive-date=5 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305202338/http://www.stat.ee/dokumendid/30210|url-status=live}}</ref>
In addition to longtime functions as seaport and capital city, Tallinn has seen development of an information technology sector; in its 13 December 2005, edition, ''[[The New York Times]]'' characterised Estonia as "a sort of [[Silicon Valley]] on the Baltic Sea".<ref>Mark Ländler, [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00614F935550C708DDDAB0994DD404482 "The Baltic Life: Hot Technology for Chilly Streets"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105234234/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00614F935550C708DDDAB0994DD404482 |date=5 January 2014 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', 13 December 2005.</ref> One of Tallinn's sister cities is the Silicon Valley town of [[Los Gatos, California]]. Skype is one of the best-known of several Estonian start-ups originating from Tallinn. Many start-ups have originated from the [[Tallinn University of Technology|Institute of Cybernetics]]. In recent years,{{When|date=December 2016}} Tallinn has gradually been becoming one of the main IT centres of Europe, with the [[Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence]] (CCD COE) of [[NATO]], [[eu-LISA]], the EU Digital Agency and the IT development centres of large corporations, such as [[TeliaSonera]] and [[Kuehne + Nagel]] being based in the city.<ref>Anthony Ha, [https://techcrunch.com/2012/06/21/gamefounders-launch/ "GameFounders: An Accelerator For European Game Startups"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914000222/https://techcrunch.com/2012/06/21/gamefounders-launch/ |date=14 September 2016 }}, ''[[Techcrunch]]'', 21 June 2012.</ref>

Tallinn receives 4.3&nbsp;million visitors annually,<ref>{{cite news | title = Tallinn investing to enhance customer experience and business and operational opportunities | url = http://www.airport-business.com/2016/10/piret-murk-dubout-ceo-lennart-meri-tallinn-airport-interview/ | work = Airport Business | publisher = ACI EUROPE | date = 17 October 2016 | access-date = 19 November 2016 | archive-date = 8 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200808003806/http://www.airport-business.com/2016/10/piret-murk-dubout-ceo-lennart-meri-tallinn-airport-interview/ | url-status = live }}</ref> a figure that has grown steadily over the past decade. The [[Finns]] are especially a common sight in Tallinn;<ref>{{cite web| url = https://news.err.ee/1608152059/tallinn-hoping-for-return-of-finnish-tourists-this-summer| title = ERR: Tallinn hoping for return of Finnish tourists this summer| date = 23 March 2021| access-date = 27 July 2021| archive-date = 27 July 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727081419/https://news.err.ee/1608152059/tallinn-hoping-for-return-of-finnish-tourists-this-summer| url-status = live}}</ref> on average, about 20,000–40,000 Finnish tourists visit the city between June and October.<ref name="finntour">[https://news.err.ee/1018849/finnish-tourist-numbers-on-the-rise-new-generations-traveling-to-estonia ERR: Finnish tourist numbers on the rise – new generations traveling to Estonia]</ref> Most of the visitors come from Europe, though Tallinn has also become increasingly visited by tourists from the Asia-Pacific region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.e24.ee/1334792/tallinnas-suureneb-vene-ja-aasia-turistide-arv|title=Tallinnas suureneb Vene ja Aasia turistide arv|last=Arumäe|first=Liisu|newspaper=E24 Majandus|date=9 August 2013|access-date=5 November 2013|language=et|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919173901/http://www.e24.ee/1334792/tallinnas-suureneb-vene-ja-aasia-turistide-arv|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Tallinn Passenger Port]] is one of the busiest cruise destinations on the Baltic Sea, it served more than 520,000 cruise passengers in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title= Tänavune kruiisihooaeg tõi Tallinna esmakordselt üle poole miljoni reisija |url= http://www.ts.ee/uudised?art=383 |publisher= Port of Tallinn |date= 11 October 2013 |access-date= 5 November 2013 |language= et |archive-date= 21 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170921163611/http://www.ts.ee/uudised?art=383 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The state-owned energy company [[Eesti Energia]], the nationwide electric power [[transmission system operator]] [[Elering]], the natural gas distributor [[Eesti Gaas]], and the country's largest private energy company, [[Alexela|Alexela Group]], all have their headquarters in Tallinn.

Tallinn is the financial centre of Estonia and also an important economic centre in the [[Baltoscandia]]n region. Many major banks, such as [[Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken|SEB]], [[Swedbank]], and [[Nordea]], have their local offices in Tallinn. [[LHV Pank]], an Estonian investment bank, has its corporate headquarters in Tallinn. [[Tallinn Stock Exchange]], part of [[NASDAQ OMX Group]], is the only regulated exchange in Estonia.

[[Port of Tallinn]] is one of the biggest ports in the Baltic sea region, whereas the largest cargo port of Estonia, the [[Port of Muuga]], which is operated by the same business entity, is located in the neighboring town of [[Maardu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ts.ee/en/muuga-harbour/|title=Muuga Harbour|publisher=[[Port of Tallinn]]|access-date=25 September 2022|archive-date=4 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104202221/https://www.ts.ee/en/muuga-harbour/|url-status=live}}</ref> Old City Harbour has been known as a convenient harbour since the medieval times, but nowadays the cargo operations are shifted to Muuga Cargo Port and [[Paldiski South Harbour]]. As of 2010, there was still a small fleet of [[Fish processing vessel|oceangoing trawlers]] that operated out of Tallinn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iec.is/reyktal.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618151403/http://www.iec.is/reyktal.htm|url-status=dead|title=Reyktal AS fleet|archive-date=18 June 2010}}</ref>
Tallinn's industries include shipbuilding, machine building, metal processing, electronics, textile manufacturing. [[BLRT Grupp]] has its headquarters and some subsidiaries in Tallinn. [[Air Maintenance Estonia]] and [[Panaviatic|AS Panaviatic Maintenance]], both based in Tallinn Airport, provide [[Maintenance, repair, and operations|MRO]] services for aircraft, largely expanding their operations in recent years. 
[[Liviko]], the maker of the internationally known [[Vana Tallinn]] liqueur, is similarly based in Tallinn. The headquarters of [[Kalev (confectioner)|Kalev]], a confectionery company and part of the industrial conglomerate [[Orkla Group]], is located in [[Lehmja]], near the city's southeastern boundary.
Estonia is ranked third in Europe in terms of shopping centre space per inhabitant, ahead of Sweden and being surpassed only by [[Norway]] and [[Luxembourg]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/~/media/global-reports/European%20SC%20Development%20Report%20April%202014%20Martin.pdf |title=MARKTBEAT shopping centre development report |publisher=Cushman & Wakefield |access-date=10 December 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002035/http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/~/media/global-reports/European%20SC%20Development%20Report%20April%202014%20Martin.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Notable headquarters ===

*[[NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence]] (CCDCOE)
*[[eu-LISA]], the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:286:0001:0017:EN:PDF |title=Regulation 1077/2011 establishing a European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221145632/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:286:0001:0017:EN:PDF |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/agencies/agencies_intro_en.htm |title=DGs – Home Affairs – What we do – Agencies |publisher=European Commission |access-date=29 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627121135/http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/agencies/agencies_intro_en.htm |archive-date=27 June 2012  }}</ref><ref name="Ingrid Teesalu"/>
*[[Alexela]]
*[[Bolt (company)|Bolt]]
*[[Connected Baltics]]
*[[LHV Pank|LHV]]

=== Notable IT development centres ===

*[[Telia Company]] IT development centre<ref>{{cite web |author=Steve Roman |url=http://news.err.ee/economy/614ea892-6d60-4277-b18e-90acbc11a714 |title=TeliaSonera Opens IT Development Center in Tallinn |date=30 May 2012 |publisher=ERR |access-date=7 June 2012 |archive-date=2 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602011357/http://news.err.ee/economy/614ea892-6d60-4277-b18e-90acbc11a714 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Kuehne + Nagel]] IT centre<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uudisvoog.postimees.ee/?DATE=20130920&ID=320677|title=Kuehne + Nagel joined ITL|last=Vahemäe|first=Heleri|newspaper=E24 Majandus|date=13 September 2013|access-date=5 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131105174137/http://uudisvoog.postimees.ee/?DATE=20130920&ID=320677|archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref>
*[[Arvato]] Financial Solutions global IT development and innovation centre<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arvato.com/en/about/press-releases/2016/arvato-financial-solutions-eroeffnet-internationales-it-entwickl.html|title=arvato Financial Solutions opens global IT Development and Innovation centre in Tallinn|last=Schieler|first=Nicole|date=11 February 2016|publisher=arvato|access-date=21 August 2016|archive-date=21 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821230501/https://www.arvato.com/en/about/press-releases/2016/arvato-financial-solutions-eroeffnet-internationales-it-entwickl.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Ericsson]] has one of its biggest production facilities in Europe located in Tallinn, focusing on the production of 4G communication devices.<ref name="Ericsson factory">{{cite web |url=http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/Ericsson-Eesti-planning-to-invest-EUR-6.4-mln |title=Ericsson Eesti planning to invest EUR 6.4 mln > Tallinn |publisher=Tallinn.ee |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-date=17 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617030525/http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/Ericsson-Eesti-planning-to-invest-EUR-6.4-mln |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Equinor]] has announced that the group's financial centre will be relocated to Tallinn.<ref name="Statoil financial centre moving to Tallinn">{{cite web |author=Raivo Sormunen |url=http://www.ap3.ee/default.aspx?publicationid=ec804faa-77e0-4137-8169-ac76ac1d6758 |title=aripaev.ee – Skandinaavia uue börsifirma finantskeskus tuleb Tall |publisher=Ap3.ee |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929141022/http://www.ap3.ee/default.aspx?publicationid=ec804faa-77e0-4137-8169-ac76ac1d6758 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Education ==
[[File:Tallinn University of Technology.png|thumb|The buildings of [[Tallinn University of Technology]]]]

Institutions of higher education and science include:
* [[Baltic Film and Media School]]
* [[Estonian Academy of Arts]]
* [[Estonian Academy of Security Sciences]]
* [[Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre]]
* [[Estonian Business School]]
* [[Estonian Maritime Academy]]
* [[Institute of Theology of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church]]
* [[National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics]]
* [[Tallinn University]]
* [[Tallinn University of Technology]]
* [[Tallinn University of Applied Sciences]]

== Culture ==
Tallinn was a [[European Capital of Culture]] for 2011, along with [[Turku]], Finland.

===Museums===
{{see also|List of museums in Estonia}}

[[File:Kadrioruloss1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kadriorg Palace|Estonian Art Museum]] in [[Kadriorg Palace]]]] Tallinn is home to more than 60 museums and galleries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing?field_427=all|title=Tallinn Sightseeing, Museums & Attractions|date=n.d.|website=Tallinn|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213135610/https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing?field_427=all|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of them are located in [[Kesklinn, Tallinn|Kesklinn]], the central district of the city, and cover Tallinn's rich history.

One of the most visited historical museums in Tallinn is the [[Estonian History Museum]], located in Great Guild Hall at [[Vanalinn]], the old part of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ajaloomuuseum.ee/en/museum|title=ESTONIAN HISTORY MUSEUM|website=Eesti Asaloomuuseum|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505135531/http://www.ajaloomuuseum.ee/en/museum|archive-date=5 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It covers Estonia's history from prehistoric times up until the end of the 20th century.<ref name="visittallinn.ee">{{cite web|url=https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-174736/estonian-history-museum-great-guild-hall|title=Estonian History Museum – Great Guild Hall|date=n.d.|website=Tallinn|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913125714/https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-174736/estonian-history-museum-great-guild-hall|url-status=live}}</ref> It features film and hands-on displays that show how Estonian dwellers lived and survived.<ref name="visittallinn.ee"/>
[[File:Kadrioru lossikompleksi köögihoone, A.Weizenbergi 28 (1).jpg|thumb|[[Mikkel Museum]]]]

The [[Estonian Maritime Museum]] provides an overview of the nation's seafaring past. The museum is located in the Old Town, inside one of Tallinn's former defensive structures – Fat Margaret's Tower.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-174746/estonian-maritime-museum-fat-margaret-s-tower| title = Estonian Maritime Museum – Fat Margaret's Tower| date = n.d.| website = Tallinn| access-date = 23 August 2016| archive-date = 13 September 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160913125952/https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-174746/estonian-maritime-museum-fat-margaret-s-tower| url-status = live}}</ref> Another historical museum that can be found at city's Old Town, just behind the [[Town Hall Square, Tallinn|Town Hall]], is Tallinn City Museum. It covers Tallinn's history from pre-history until 1991, when Estonia regained its independence.<ref name="Tallinna Lunnamuuseum">{{cite web| url = http://linnamuuseum.ee/test/en/| title = Tallinna Lunnamuuseum| date = n.d.| website = Lunnamuuseum.ee| access-date = 23 August 2016| archive-date = 6 September 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160906021519/http://linnamuuseum.ee/test/en/| url-status = live}}</ref> Tallinn City Museum owns nine more departments and museums around the city,<ref name="Tallinna Lunnamuuseum"/> one of which is Tallinn's Museum of Photography, also located just behind the [[Town Hall Square, Tallinn|Town Hall]]. It features permanent exhibition that covers 100 years of photography in Estonia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://linnamuuseum.ee/fotomuuseum/en/|title=ABOUT THE MUSEUM|date=n.d.|website=linnamuuseum.ee|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-date=31 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831104544/http://linnamuuseum.ee/fotomuuseum/en/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Estonia's [[Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom]] is located in [[Kesklinn, Tallinn|Kesklinn]] (the Central district). It covers the 51 years (1940–1991) when Estonia was occupied by the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitestonia.com/en/museum-of-occupations|title=Museum of Occupations|date=n.d.|website=Visitestonia.com|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919112825/https://www.visitestonia.com/en/museum-of-occupations|url-status=live}}</ref> Not far away is another museum related to the Soviet occupation of Estonia, the KGB Museum, which occupies the 23rd floor of [[Sokos Hotel Viru]]. It features equipment, uniforms, and documents of Russian Secret Service agents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-177420/hotel-viru-and-kgb-museum|title=Hotel Viru & KGB Museum|date=n.d.|website=Visittallinn.ee|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913125717/https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-177420/hotel-viru-and-kgb-museum|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city is also home to [[Estonian Museum of Natural History]] and the [[Estonian Health Museum]], both located in Old Town. The Museum of Natural History features several themed exhibitions that provide an overview of the wildlife of Estonia and the world.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-174748/estonian-museum-of-natural-history|title = Estonian Museum of Natural History|date = n.d.|website = Visittallinn.ee|access-date = 23 August 2016|archive-date = 13 September 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160913125854/https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-174748/estonian-museum-of-natural-history|url-status = live}}</ref> The Estonian Health Museum has exhibitions covering human anatomy, health care, and the history of medicine in Estonia on display.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitestonia.com/en/estonian-health-care-museum|title=Estonian Health Care Museum|date=n.d.|website=Visitestonia.com|access-date=13 September 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919122859/http://www.visitestonia.com/en/estonian-health-care-museum|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tallinn is home to several art and design museums. The [[Art Museum of Estonia|Estonian Art Museum]], the largest art museum in Estonia, consists of four branches – [[Kumu Art Museum]], [[Kadriorg Palace|Kadriorg Art Museum]], [[Mikkel Museum]], and [[St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn|Niguliste Museum]]. Kumu Art Museum features the country's largest collection of contemporary and modern art. It also displays Estonian art starting from the early 18th century.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://kumu.ekm.ee/en/kumu-art-lives-here/kumu-art-lives-here/| title = Kumu – Art lives here!| date = n.d.| website = Kumu.ekm.ee| access-date = 13 September 2016| archive-date = 25 April 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170425170719/http://kumu.ekm.ee/en/kumu-art-lives-here/kumu-art-lives-here/| url-status = dead}}</ref> Those who are interested in Western European and Russian art may enjoy Kadriorg Art Museum collections, located in [[Kadriorg Palace]], a beautiful [[Baroque]] building erected by [[Peter the Great]]. It stores and displays about 9,000 works of art from the 16th to 20th centuries.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://kadriorumuuseum.ekm.ee/en/about-the-museum/about-the-museum/|title = About the museum|date = n.d.|website = Kadriorumuuseum.ekm.ee|access-date = 13 September 2016|archive-date = 14 September 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160914154242/http://kadriorumuuseum.ekm.ee/en/about-the-museum/about-the-museum/|url-status = dead}}</ref> The Mikkel Museum, in Kadriorg Park, displays a collection of mainly Western art – ceramics and Chinese porcelain donated by Johannes Mikkel in 1994. The Niguliste Museum occupies former [[St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn|St. Nicholas' Church]]; it displays collections of historical ecclesiastical art spanning nearly seven centuries from the Middle Ages to post-Reformation art.

Those who are interested in design and applied art may enjoy the [[Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design]] collection of Estonian contemporary designs. It displays up to 15.000 pieces of work made of textile art, ceramics, porcelain, leather, glass, jewellery, metalwork, furniture, and product design.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.etdm.ee/en/|title = Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design|date = n.d.|website = Etdm.ee|access-date = 13 September 2016|archive-date = 23 March 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150323040856/http://www.etdm.ee/en/|url-status = live}}</ref> To experience more relaxed, culture-oriented exhibits, one may turn to Museum of Estonian Drinking Culture. This museum showcases the historic Luscher & Matiesen Distillery as well as the history of Estonian alcohol production.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-178041/museum-of-the-estonian-drink-culture| title = Museum of Estonian Drinking Culture| date = n.d.| website = Visittallinn.ee| access-date = 13 September 2016| archive-date = 14 September 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160914054035/https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-178041/museum-of-the-estonian-drink-culture| url-status = live}}</ref>
[[File:Bernt Notke Danse Macabre.jpg|thumb|[[Danse Macabre (Notke)|''Danse Macabre'']] by [[Bernt Notke]] on display at [[St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn|St. Nicholas' Church]]]]

===Lauluväljak===
{{Main|Estonian Song Festival}}

[[File:Estonia - Flickr - Jarvis-4.jpg|thumb|The [[Tallinn Song Festival Grounds]] (Lauluväljak)]]
The '''Estonian Song Festival''' (in Estonian: '''''Laulupidu''''') is a large [[choral]] event, listed by the [[UNESCO]] as a [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]]. It is held every five years in July on the [[Tallinn Song Festival Grounds]] (''Lauluväljak'') simultaneously with the [[Estonian Dance Festival]].<ref name=celebrations>[http://laulupidu.ee/english/history/ Estonian Song and Dance Celebrations] Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation</ref> The joint choir has comprised more than 30,000 singers performing to an audience of 80,000.<ref name=celebrations /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/lauluvaljakul-oli-teisel-kontserdil-110-000-inimest?id=24422411|title=Lauluväljakul oli teisel kontserdil 110 000 inimest|website=Delfi|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829161831/http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/lauluvaljakul-oli-teisel-kontserdil-110-000-inimest?id=24422411|url-status=live}}</ref>

Estonians have an extensive collection of folk songs, consisting of some 133,000 folk songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://estonia.eu/about-estonia/culture-a-science/estonian-culture.html|title=Estonia – Estonia is a place for independent minds|website=estonia.ee|access-date=18 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919205342/http://estonia.eu/about-estonia/culture-a-science/estonian-culture.html|archive-date=19 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1987, a cycle of mass [[Demonstration (people)|demonstrations]] featuring spontaneous singing of national songs and [[hymn]]s that were strictly forbidden during the years of the Soviet occupation to peacefully resist the oppression. In September 1988, a record 300,000 people, more than a quarter of all [[Estonians]], gathered in Tallinn for a song festival.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/estonias-singing-revolution-1986-1991/|title=Estonia's Singing Revolution (1986–1991)|last=Zunes|first=Stephen|date=April 2009|newspaper=International Center on Nonviolent Conflict|access-date=9 January 2017|archive-date=1 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101091322/https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/estonias-singing-revolution-1986-1991/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival===
{{Main|Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival}}

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Estonian: Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival, or PÖFF), is an annual film festival held since 1997 in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. PÖFF is the only festival in the Nordic and Baltic region with a [[FIAPF]] (International Federation of Film Producers Association) accreditation for holding an international competition programme in the Nordic and Baltic region with 14 other non-specialised festivals, such as [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]], [[Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin]], [[Venice Film Festival|Venice]]. With over 250 feature films screened each year and over 77500 attendances (2014), PÖFF is one of the largest film events of Northern Europe and cultural events in Estonia in the winter season. During its 19th edition in 2015 the festival screened more than 600 films (including 250+ feature-length films from 80 countries), bringing over 900 screenings to an audience of over 80, 000 people as well as over 700 accredited guests and journalists from 50 countries. In 2010 the festival held the [[European Film Awards]] ceremony in Tallinn.

===Cuisine===
{{see also|Estonian cuisine}}
The traditional cuisine of Tallinn reflects culinary traditions of north Estonia, the role of the city as a fishing port, and historical German influences. Numerous cafés have played a major role in a social life of the city since the 19th century, as have bars, especially in the Kesklinn district.

The ''[[marzipan|martsipan]]'' industry in Tallinn has a very long history. The production of ''martsipan'' started in the Middle Ages, almost simultaneously in Tallinn (Reval) and [[Lübeck]], both member cities of the Hanseatic League. In 1695, ''marzipan'' was mentioned as a medicine, under the designation of ''Panis Martius,'' in the price lists of the [[Raeapteek|Tallinn Town Hall Pharmacy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Martsipani ajalugu |url=http://www.kohvikmaiasmokk.ee/martsipanituba/martsipani-ajalugu/ |work=kohvikmaiasmokk.ee |publisher=AS Kalev |language=et |access-date=13 October 2016 |archive-date=13 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013220645/http://www.kohvikmaiasmokk.ee/martsipanituba/martsipani-ajalugu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The modern era of ''martsipan'' in Tallinn began in 1806, when the Swiss confectioner Lorenz Caviezel set up his confectionery on Pikk Street. In 1864, it was bought and expanded by Georg Stude and now is known as the [[Maiasmokk]] café. In the late 19th century ''martsipan'' figurines made by Tallinn's confectioners were supplied to the Russian imperial family.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gendlin |first1=Vladimir |last2=Shaposhnikov |first2=Vasily |date=19 May 2003 |title=Estonia // SPRATS IN LIQUEUR |url=http://www.kommersant.com/tree.asp?rubric=2&node=21&doc_id=382605 |newspaper=Kommersant |location=Moscow |access-date=13 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013225539/http://www.kommersant.com/tree.asp?rubric=2&node=21&doc_id=382605 |archive-date=13 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Arguably, the most symbolic seafood dish of Tallinn is ''vürtsikilu'' ("spicy sprat") – salted [[European sprat|sprats]] pickled with a distinctive set of spices including [[black pepper]], [[allspice]] and [[cloves]]. The making of traditional ''vürtsikilu'' is thought to have originated from the city's outskirts. In 1826, the merchants of Tallinn exported 40,000 cans of ''vürtsikilu'' to Saint Petersburg.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tarbija24.postimees.ee/v2/1149312/kuidas-vaeste-lesknaiste-toidust-sai-tallinna-suembol |title=Kuidas vaeste lesknaiste toidust sai Tallinna sümbol |department=Tarbija24 |newspaper=Postimees |date=25 February 2013 |access-date=13 October 2016 |language=et |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014060632/http://tarbija24.postimees.ee/v2/1149312/kuidas-vaeste-lesknaiste-toidust-sai-tallinna-suembol |archive-date=14 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A closely associated dish is ''kiluvõileib'' ("sprat-butter-bread") – a traditional [[rye bread]] open sandwich covered with a layer of butter and ''vürtsikilu'' as the topping. Boiled egg slices and culinary herbs are optional extra toppings. Alcoholic beverages produced in the city include beer, vodka, and liqueurs (such as the eponymous [[Vana Tallinn]]). The number of [[Microbrewery#Craft brewery|craft beer breweries]] has expanded sharply in Tallinn over the last decade, entering local and regional markets.

== Tourism ==

What can arguably be considered to be Tallinn's main attractions are located in the Tallinn Old Town (divided into a "lower town" and [[Toompea]] hill) which is easily explored on foot. The eastern parts of the city, notably [[Pirita]] (with [[Pirita Convent]]) and [[Kadriorg]] (with [[Kadriorg Palace]]) districts, are also popular destinations, and the [[Estonian Open Air Museum]] in [[Rocca al Mare]], west of the city, preserves aspects of Estonian rural culture and architecture. The historical wooded suburbs like [[Kalamaja]], [[Pelgulinn]], [[Kassisaba]] and [[Kelmiküla]] and revitalized industrial areas like [[Rotermanni Quarter]], [[Noblessner]] and [[Dvigatel]] are also unique places to visit.

=== Toompea&nbsp;– Upper Town ===
[[File:Toompea loss 2014.jpg|thumb|left|[[Toompea Castle|Toompea castle]] ]]
[[File:Stenbock House.jpg|thumb|[[Stenbock House]] on [[Toompea]] hill is the official seat of the [[Government of Estonia]].]]
{{main|Toompea}}
This area was once an almost separate town, heavily fortified, and has always been the seat of whatever power that has ruled Estonia. The hill occupies an easily defensible site overlooking the surrounding districts. The major attractions are the medieval [[Toompea Castle]] (today housing the Estonian Parliament, the ''[[Riigikogu]]''), the Lutheran [[St Mary's Cathedral, Tallinn|St Mary's Cathedral]], also known as the Dome Church ({{langx|et|Toomkirik}}), and the Russian Orthodox [[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]].

=== All-linn&nbsp;– Lower Town ===
This area is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and the authorities are continuing its rehabilitation. Major sights include the [[Town Hall Square, Tallinn|Town Hall square]] ({{langx|et|Raekoja plats }}), the [[Walls of Tallinn|city wall]] and towers (notably "[[Estonian Maritime Museum#Fat Margaret|Fat Margaret]]" and "[[Kiek in de Kök, Tallinn|Kiek in de Kök]]") as well as a number of medieval churches, including [[St. Olaf's Church, Tallinn|St Olaf's]], [[St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn|St. Nicholas']] and the [[Church of the Holy Ghost, Tallinn|Church of the Holy Ghost]]. The Catholic [[St. Peter and St. Paul's Cathedral, Tallinn|Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul]] is also in the Lower Town.

=== Kadriorg ===
{{main|Kadriorg}}

Kadriorg is {{convert|2|km|1|abbr=off}} east of the city centre and is served by buses and trams. [[Kadriorg Palace]], the former palace of [[Peter the Great]], built just after the [[Great Northern War]], now houses the foreign art department of the [[Art Museum of Estonia]], the presidential residence and the surrounding grounds include formal gardens and woodland.

The main building of the Art Museum of Estonia, [[KUMU (museum)|Kumu]] ({{langx|et|Kunstimuuseum}}, Art Museum), was built in 2006 and lies in Kadriorg park. It houses an encyclopaedic collection of Estonian art, including paintings by [[Carl Timoleon von Neff]], [[Johann Köler]], [[Eduard Ole]], [[Jaan Koort]], [[Konrad Mägi]], [[Eduard Wiiralt]], Henn Roode and [[Adamson-Eric]], among others.

=== Pirita ===
{{main|Pirita}}
This coastal district is a further 2 kilometres north-east of Kadriorg. The marina was built for the [[1980 Summer Olympics|Moscow Olympics]] of 1980, and boats can be hired on the [[Pirita River]]. Two kilometres inland are the [[Tallinn Botanic Garden|Botanic Gardens]] and the [[Tallinn TV Tower]].

== Transport ==
[[File:TTTK 502 in Pärnu highway.JPG|thumb|A [[Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles|CAF]] tram in Tallinn (Pärnu maantee street) in 2018]]

=== City transport ===
{{Main|Public transport in Tallinn}}
The city operates a system of bus (73 lines), [[tram]] (5 lines) and [[trolley-bus]] (4 lines) routes to all districts; the {{convert|33|km}} long [[Trams in Tallinn|tram system]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tallinn.ee/est/Tallinn-arvudes-2015-2 | title = Statistical Yearbook of Tallinn 2015 | website = tallinn.ee | access-date = April 24, 2021 | archive-date = 19 November 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151119212926/http://www.tallinn.ee/est/Tallinn-arvudes-2015-2 | url-status = dead }}</ref> is the only tram network in Estonia.<ref>{{cite web |last=Varema |first=Remeo |title=TALLINN TRAM – 110 YEARS |work=Tallinna tramm 110 aastat |publisher=Vello Talves |year=1998 |url=http://www.hot.ee/tallinnatramm/history110.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054335/http://www.hot.ee/tallinnatramm/history110.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead |access-date=6 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of tram transport|publisher=Aktsiaselts Tallinna Linnatransport (TLT)|url=https://www.tlt.ee/en/about-us/vehicle-fleet-and-history/trams/history-of-tram-transport/|access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref> A flat-fare system is used. The ticket-system is based on prepaid RFID cards available in kiosks and post offices. In January 2013, Tallinn became the first European capital to offer a [[Free public transport|fare-free service]] on buses, trams and trolleybuses within the city limits. This service is available to residents who register with the municipality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/oct/15/i-leave-the-car-at-home-how-free-buses-are-revolutionising-one-french-city|title='I leave the car at home': how free buses are revolutionising one French city|last=Willsher|first=Kim|date=15 October 2018|website=The Guardian|access-date=15 October 2018}}</ref>

Tallinn offers a wide range of [[smart mobility]] options, with extensive free-floating fleets of [[e-scooters]], [[e-bike]]s, bikes, and cars available for rent throughout the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Aleksander Krjukov {{!}} |date=2024-05-07 |title=Deputy mayor: Regulating e-scooters not priority for Tallinn city government |url=https://news.err.ee/1609334247/deputy-mayor-regulating-e-scooters-not-priority-for-tallinn-city-government |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Huko Aaspõllu {{!}} |date=2024-05-05 |title=Bolt founder and CEO: Tallinn could fit 20,000 Bolt rental cars |url=https://news.err.ee/1609332825/bolt-founder-and-ceo-tallinn-could-fit-20-000-bolt-rental-cars |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=ERR News {{!}} |date=2024-07-08 |title=New bikesharing service launches in Tallinn |url=https://news.err.ee/1609391626/new-bikesharing-service-launches-in-tallinn |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref>

=== Air ===
The [[Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport]] is about {{convert|4|km|0|abbr=off}} from [[Town Hall Square, Tallinn|Town Hall square]] ({{lang|et|Raekoja plats}}). There is a tram (Line Number: 4) and local bus connection between the airport and the edge of the city centre (bus no. 2). The nearest railway station [[Ülemiste]] is only {{convert|1.5|km|1|abbr=on}} from the airport. The construction of the new section of the airport began in 2007 and was finished in summer 2008.
<!--There has been a helicopter service to and from Helsinki operated by Copterline and taking 18 minutes to cross the Gulf of Finland. The [[Tallinn Linnahall Heliport|Copterline Tallinn terminal]] is located adjacent to [[Linnahall]], five minutes from the city centre. After a [[10 August 2005 helicopter crash near Tallinn|crash near Tallinn]] in August 2005, service was suspended but restarted in 2008 with a new fleet.<ref>[http://www.copterline.com/page54_en.html Copterline web page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218172814/http://www.copterline.com/page54_en.html |date=18 December 2008 }} </ref> The operator cancelled it again in December 2008,<ref>[http://www.copterline.com/offline/index.htm?target=Main&action= ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311025912/http://www.copterline.com/offline/index.htm?target=Main&action= |date=11 March 2009 }} </ref> on grounds of unprofitability. On 15 February 2010, Copterline filed for bankruptcy, citing inability to keep the company profitable. In 2011 Copterline started again operating the Tallinn – Helsinki flights. In 2016, Copterline OÜ filed for bankruptcy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://majandus24.postimees.ee/3615585/copterline-laks-taas-pankrotti|title=Copterline läks taas pankrotti|date=11 March 2016|work=Postimees}}</ref> and there are no scheduled helicopter flights from Tallinn.-->

=== Ferry ===
[[File:Old City Harbour, Tallinn.jpg|thumb|[[Tallinn Passenger Port|The port of Tallinn]] is one of the busiest cruise and passenger harbours in Northern Europe with over 10 million people passing through in 2016.]]
{{See also|Baltic Sea cruiseferries}}
Several ferry operators, [[Viking Line]], [[Tallink]] and [[Eckerö Line]], connect Tallinn to [[Helsinki]], [[Mariehamn]], Stockholm, and [[St. Petersburg]]. Passenger lines connect Tallinn to [[Helsinki]] ({{convert|83|km|0|abbr=on}} north of Tallinn) in approximately 2–3.5 hours by [[Baltic Sea cruiseferries|cruiseferries]], with up to eight daily crossings all year round.

=== Railroad ===
[[File:Balti jaam.JPG|thumb|Railway platform at the [[Tallinn Baltic Station]]|left]]
The [[Elron (rail transit)|Elron]] railway company operates train services from Tallinn to Tartu, [[Valga, Estonia|Valga]], [[Türi]], [[Viljandi]], [[Tapa, Estonia|Tapa]], [[Narva]], [[Koidula, Võru County|Koidula]]. Buses are also available to all these and various other destinations in Estonia, as well as to Saint Petersburg in Russia and Riga, Latvia. The [[Russian railways]] company operated a daily international sleeper train service between Tallinn – Moscow, and was stopped in 2020.

Tallinn also has a commuter rail service running from Tallinn's [[Balti jaam|main rail station]] in two main directions: east ([[Aegviidu]]) and to several western destinations ([[Pääsküla]], [[Keila]], [[Riisipere]], Turba, [[Paldiski]], and [[Kloogaranna]]). These are electrified lines and are used by the [[Elron (rail transit)|Elron]] railroad company. [[Stadler FLIRT]] EMU and DMU units are in service since July 2013. The first electrified train service in Tallinn was opened in 1924 from Tallinn to Pääsküla, a distance of {{convert|11.2|km|1|abbr=on}}.

The [[Rail Baltica]] project, which will link Tallinn with Warsaw via Latvia and Lithuania, will connect Tallinn with the rest of the European rail network. An [[Helsinki to Tallinn Tunnel|undersea tunnel]] has been proposed between Tallinn and [[Helsinki]],<ref>Mike Collier. "[http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/20162/ Helsinki mayor still believes in Tallinn tunnel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224163429/https://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/20162/ |date=24 February 2021 }}", ''[[The Baltic Times]]'', 3 April 2008. Retrieved on 2021-09-13.</ref> though it remains at a planning phase.

===Roads===
The [[Via Baltica]] motorway (part of [[European route E67]] from Helsinki to [[Prague]]) connects Tallinn to the Lithuanian-Polish border through Latvia.

== Notable people ==

=== Pre-1900 ===
* [[Michael Sittow]] (ca. 1469–1525), court portrait painter for [[House of Habsburg|Habsburgs]] and other royal houses, a most important [[Early Netherlandish painting|Early Netherlandish painter]] 
* Count [[Jacob De la Gardie]] (1583–1652), statesman and a field marshal of Sweden
* [[Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie]] (1622–1686), a Swedish statesman and military officer 
* [[Jacob Johan Hastfer]] (1647–1695), officer and provincial governor of [[Swedish Livonia]] from 1687 to 1695
* [[Otto von Kotzebue]] (1787–1846), officer of Imperial Russian Navy, explorer of Oceania
* [[Alexander Friedrich von Hueck]] (1802–1842), professor of [[anatomy]] at [[University of Tartu]], a notable [[estophile]]
* [[Franz Anton Schiefner]] (1817–1879), linguist and [[Tibetology|tibetologist]] 
* [[Julius Iversen]] (1823–1900), [[Phaleristics|phalerist]] and professor of Greek and Latin
* [[Carl Hiekisch]] (1840–1901), geographer
* [[Edmund Russow]] (1841–1897), biologist, researcher of [[plant anatomy]] and [[histology]]
* [[Alexandrine von Wistinghausen]] (1850-c. 1914–18), landscape painter
* [[Kristjan Raud]] (1865–1943), [[Symbolism (arts)|symbolist]] painter, known for his art style of the [[primitivism]]
* [[A. H. Tammsaare]] (1878–1940), writer whose pentalogy ''Truth and Justice'' (''Tõde ja õigus'') is considered "The Estonian Novel" 
* [[Marie Under]] (1883–1980), poet, nominated for the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] multiple times
* [[Alfred Rosenberg]] (1893–1946), leading [[Nazi Germany|Nazi German]] ideologue, head of [[Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories]], executed for war crimes

=== 1900 to 1930 ===
* [[Ants Oras]] (1900–1982), translator and writer. He studied pause patterns in [[English Renaissance]] dramatic [[blank verse]].
* [[Vidrik Rootare|Vidrik "Frits" Rootare]] (1906–1981), chess player
* [[Andrus Johani]] (1906–1941), painter
* [[Miliza Korjus]] (1909–1980), Polish-Estonian-American opera singer, [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] film actress, nominee for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]] in 1938
* [[Edmund S. Valtman]] (1914–2005), Estonian-American [[cartoonist]]. He won the 1962 [[Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning]].
* [[Evald Okas]] (1915–2011), painter, probably best known for his portraits of nudes
* [[Evi Rauer]] (1915–2004), stage, film and television actress and television director
* [[Paul Kuusberg]] (1916–2003), writer, particularly of novellas
* [[Ellen Liiger]] (1918–1987), stage, TV, radio and film actress and theatre teacher
* [[Udo Kasemets]] (1919–2014), Estonian-born Canadian composer of orchestral, vocal, piano and electroacoustic works
* [[Jaan Kross]] (1920–2007), novelist, nominated for the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] multiple times
* [[Vincent Zigas]] (1920–1983), medical officer in [[Papua New Guinea]] during the 1950s
* [[Harry Männil]] (1920–2010), Estonian-[[Venezuela]]n businessman and art collector
* [[Kaljo Raid]] (1921–2005), composer, cellist and pastor
* Sir [[Arvi Parbo]] (1926–2019), Estonian-[[Australia]]n business executive 
* [[Vello Viisimaa]] (1928–1991), opera singer and stage actor, appeared mostly in [[operetta]]s
* [[Olaf von Wrangel]] (1928–2009), German journalist (NDR) and politician, member of German Bundestag
* [[Lennart Georg Meri]] (1929–2006), politician, writer, film director and statesman, [[President of Estonia#Presidents of Estonia|second President of Estonia]], 1992 to 2001
* [[Eino Tamberg]] (1930–2010), composer, promoter of [[neoclassicism]] in Estonian music

=== 1930 to 1950 ===
* [[Uno Loop]] (1930–2021), singer, musician, athlete, actor and educator
* [[Vladimir-Georg Karassev-Orgusaar|Vladimir-Georg Karasjov-Orgusaar]] (1931–2015), film director, member of the [[Congress of Estonia]]
* [[Martin Puhvel]] (1933–2016), literature researcher, professor emeritus at McGill University for old and medieval English literature
* [[Ingrid Rüütel]] (born 1935), folklorist and [[philologist]], wife of former president [[Arnold Rüütel]]
* [[Peter P. Silvester|Peter Peet Silvester]] (1935–1996), [[electrical engineer]], particularly numerical analysis of [[electromagnetic fields]]
* [[Jüri Arrak]] (1936–2022), artist and painter
* [[Enn Vetemaa]] (1936–2017), writer, master of the Estonian Modernist short novel
* [[Arvo Mets|Arvo Antonovich Mets]], (1937–1997) Russian poet, master of Russian free verse
* [[Mikk Mikiver]] (1937–2006), stage and film actor and theater director
* [[Linnart Mäll]] (1938–2010), historian, orientalist, translator and politician
* [[Ene Riisna]] (born 1938), Estonian-born American television producer, known for her work on the American news show [[20/20 (U.S. TV series)|20/20]]
* [[Andres Tarand]] (born 1940), politician, former [[Prime Minister of Estonia|prime minister]] and [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]]
* [[Leila Säälik]] (born 1941), stage, film and radio actress
* [[Paul-Eerik Rummo]] (born 1942), poet and politician
* [[Eili Sild]] (born 1942), stage, film, television and radio actress
* [[Kalle Lasn]] (born 1942), Estonian-Canadian film maker, author, magazine editor and activist
* [[Urjo Kareda]] (1944–2001), Canadian theatre, music critic, [[dramaturge]] and stage director
* [[Mari Lill]] (born 1945), stage, film and TV actress
* [[Sulev Mäeltsemees]] (born 1947), public administration and local government scholar
* [[Siiri Oviir]] (born 1947), politician and former [[Member of the European Parliament]]
* [[Lepo Sumera]] (1950–2000), composer, teacher and politician

=== 1950 to 1970 ===
* [[Urmas Alender]] (1953–1994), singer and musician 
* [[Ivo Lill]] (1953–2019), glass artist
* [[Ain Lutsepp]] (born 1954), actor and politician
* [[Kalle Randalu]] (born 1956), pianist
* [[Alexander Goldstein (writer)|Alexander Goldstein]] (1957–2006), Russian-Jewish writer and essayist 
* [[Peeter Järvelaid]] (born 1957), legal scholar, historian and university professor
* [[Doris Kareva]] (born 1958), poet and head of Estonian National Commission in [[UNESCO]]
* [[Anu Lamp]] (born 1958), stage, film, TV, voice actress and stage director
* [[Tõnu Õnnepalu]] (born 1962), pen names ''Emil Tode'' and ''Anton Nigov'', poet and author
* [[Tõnis Lukas]] (born 1962), politician, former government minister 
* [[Marina Kaljurand]] (born 1962), politician, MEP, former government minister
* [[Kiiri Tamm]] (born 1962), stage, television and film actress and stage manager
* [[Tõnu Trubetsky]] (born 1963), [[punk rock]] musician, film and music video director
* [[Ivo Uukkivi]] (born 1965), stage, film, radio, TV actor and producer
* [[Liina Tennosaar]] (born 1965), stage, film and television actress
* [[Juhan Parts]] (born 1966), politician, former [[Prime Minister of Estonia|prime minister]] 
* [[Mart Sander]] (born 1967), singer, actor, director, author, artist and TV host
* [[Indrek Sirel]] (born 1970), military officer, general

=== 1970 to date ===
* [[Jaan Tallinn]] (born 1972), investor and entrepreneur (co-managed Skype and other projects)
* [[Jan Uuspõld]] (born 1973), stage, television, radio and film actor and musician
* [[Oksana Yermakova]] (born 1973), Estonian and Russian Olympic champion épée fencer
* [[Urmas Paet]] (born 1974), politician and [[Member of the European Parliament]]
* [[Ken-Marti Vaher]] (born 1974), politician, former government minister
* [[Urmas Reinsalu]] (born 1975), politician, former government minister
* [[Kristen Michal]] (born 1975), politician, [[Prime Minister of Estonia]] since 2024 
* [[Mailis Reps]] (born 1975), politician, former government minister 
* [[Harriet Toompere]] (born 1975), stage, television, film actress and writer of children's books
* [[Katrin Pärn]] (born 1977), stage, film and television actress and singer
* [[Johann Urb]] (born 1977), Estonian-born American actor, producer and model
* [[Carmen Kass]] (born 1978), supermodel
* [[Lauri Lagle]] (born 1981), stage and film actor, screenwriter, director and playwright
* [[Ursula Ratasepp]] (born 1982), stage, film and TV actress
* [[Ott Sepp]] (born 1982), actor, singer, writer and TV presenter
* [[Katrin Siska]] (born 1983), musician
* [[Priit Loog]] (born 1984), stage, TV and film actor
* [[Tiiu Kuik]] (born 1987), supermodel
* [[Pääru Oja]] (born 1989), stage, film, voice and TV actor
* [[Klaudia Tiitsmaa]] (born 1990), stage, TV and film actress

=== Architects and conductors ===
* [[Valve Pormeister]] (1922–2002), architect
* [[Allan Murdmaa]] (1934–2009), architect
* [[Neeme Järvi]] (born 1937), Estonian-American conductor
* [[Eri Klas]] (1939–2016), conductor, leader of the [[Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra]]
* [[Tõnu Kaljuste]] (born 1953), conductor, former conductor of the [[Estonian National Opera]] 
* [[Andres Mustonen]] (born 1953), conductor and violinist, artistic director 
* [[Andres Siim]] (born 1962), architect, designer
* [[Paavo Järvi]] (born 1962), conductor, son of conductor [[Neeme Järvi]]
* [[Margit Mutso]] (born 1966), architect, designer
* [[Elmo Tiisvald]] (born 1967), conductor 
* [[Kaisa Roose]] (born 1969), music conductor with [[Malmö Opera and Music Theatre]]
* [[Siiri Vallner]] (born 1972), architect, designer of the [[Museum of Occupations]] in Tallinn
* [[Anu Tali]] (born 1972), conductor, music director of the [[Sarasota Orchestra]]
* [[Eero Endjärv]] (born 1973), architect
* [[Katrin Koov]] (born 1973), architect
* [[Mikk Murdvee]] (born 1980), Estonian-Finnish conductor and violinist.

=== Sport ===
* [[Albert Kusnets]] (1902–1942), middleweight Greco-Roman wrestler. He competed in the [[1924 Summer Olympics|1924]] and [[1928 Summer Olympics]].
* [[Valter Palm]] (1905–1994), welterweight professional boxer. He competed in [[1924 Summer Olympics|1924]] and [[1928 Summer Olympics]].
* [[Raido Rüütel]] (born 1951), racing driver
* [[Joel Tammeka]] (born 1951), rally driver
* [[Robert Lepikson]] (born 1952), politician and rally driver
* [[Toomas Krõm]] (born 1971), footballer
* [[Gert Kullamäe]] (born 1971), professional basketball player
* [[Toomas Kallaste]] (born 1971), footballer
* [[Indrek Pertelson]] (born 1971) [[judo]]ka, bronze winner at the [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000]] and [[2004 Summer Olympics]].
* [[Mart Poom]] (born 1972), footballer and coach, goalkeeping coach of [[Estonia national football team]]
* [[Oksana Yermakova]] (born 1973), Estonian and Russian Olympic champion épée fencer
* [[Martin Müürsepp]] (born 1974), basketball player and coach
* [[Sergei Pareiko]] (born 1977), footballer (goalkeeper)
* [[Andres Oper]] (born 1977), footballer and coach
* [[Kristen Viikmäe]] (born 1979), footballer
* [[Gerd Kanter]] (born 1979), discus thrower
* [[Urmo Aava]] (born 1979), rally driver
* [[Irina Embrich]] (born 1980), épée fencer
* [[Joel Lindpere]] (born 1981), footballer
* [[Sten Pentus]] (born 1981), racing driver
* [[Toomas Triisa]] (born 1982), rally driver
* [[Marko Asmer]] (born 1984), racing driver
* [[Remy Põld]] (born 1992), basketball player
* [[Karl Kruuda]] (born 1992), rally driver
* [[Kevin Korjus]] (born 1993), racing driver
* [[Anett Kontaveit]] (born 1995), tennis player, highest-ranked Estonian singles player ever 
* [[Martin Rump]] (born 1996), racing driver
* [[Ralf Aron]] (born 1998), racing driver
* [[Georg Linnamäe]] (born 1998), rally driver
* [[Jüri Vips]] (born 2000), racing driver ([[FIA Formula 2 Championship]]) 
* [[Paul Aron]] (born 2004), racing driver

==Twin towns – sister cities==
Tallinn is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Relations with other cities|url=https://www.tallinn.ee/en/foreign-relations/relations-other-cities|publisher=Tallinn|access-date=2023-05-19|archive-date=19 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519190223/https://www.tallinn.ee/en/foreign-relations/relations-other-cities|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], United States
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Beijing]], China
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Berlin]], Germany
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Dartford]], United Kingdom
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Ghent]], Belgium
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Groningen]], The Netherlands
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Hangzhou]], China
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Helsinki]], Finland
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Kiel]], Germany
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Kyiv]], Ukraine
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Kotka]], Finland
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Malmö Municipality|Malmö]], Sweden
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Odesa]], Ukraine
*{{flagicon|LVA}} [[Riga]], Latvia
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Schwerin]], Germany
*{{flagicon|MKD}} [[Skopje]], North Macedonia
*{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Tbilisi]], Georgia
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Turku]], Finland
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Venice]], Italy
*{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Vienna]], Austria
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Vilnius]], Lithuania
{{div col end}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Revals segl.svg|Seal of Reval, 1340
File:Farmacia del Ayuntamiento, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 02.JPG|The [[Raeapteek]], built in 1422, is one of the oldest continuously running pharmacies in Europe.
File:Tallinn Vana Toomas 1530 (2009).JPG|The [[Old Thomas]] [[weather vane]] was put on top of [[Tallinn Town Hall]] in 1530 and is the city's symbolic guardian.
File:Revalische Post-Zeitung 1701-07-18.jpg|A front page of ''[[Revalsche Post-Zeitung]]'' (newspaper published 1689–1710)
File:Tallinn Vaade linnale 1816.jpg|Anonymous artist's view of Tallinn in 1816 (later reprint on postcard) 
File:Alexey Bogolybov - Port of Tallinn (1853).jpg|Port of Reval in 1853. Painting by [[Alexey Bogolyubov]].
File:Ayuntamiento, vistas panorámicas desde Toompea, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 21.JPG|Night view of Tallinn's city center in August 2012
File:Iglesia de San Nicolás, Tallinn, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 06.JPG|[[St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn|St. Nicholas' Church]], built 1230–1275
File:Estonia 1479 - Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.jpg|[[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]], built 1894–1900
File:MustpeadeVennaskonnaHooned.Tallinn.jpg|[[House of the Blackheads (Tallinn)|House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads]]
File:Viru väravad 1.jpg|Viru Gate, entrance to the Old Town. Two remaining towers that were part of a larger 14th-century gate system.
File:07-06-21-tallinn-by-RalfR-144.jpg|[[Kiek in de Kök, Tallinn|Kiek in de Kök]] defence tower
File:Pirita kloostri varemed kalmistuga.jpg|Ruins of the [[Pirita Convent]]
File:Plaza de la Torre, Tallinn, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 02.JPG|[[Walls of Tallinn|City wall]] with temporary garden exhibition
File:Pikk Hermann, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-11, DD 13.JPG|[[Pikk Hermann]] (Toompea)
File:Kadrioru loss a*.jpg|[[Kadriorg Palace]]
File:Tallinn Glehn Castle.jpg|[[Glehn Castle]]
File:Kiluvõileib.IMG 4378.JPG|World's largest ''kiluvõileib'', made on [[Raekoja plats, Tallinn|Town Hall Square]] in 2014<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tallinncity.postimees.ee/v2/2793898/raekoja-platsil-valmib-maailma-pikim-kiluvoileib |title=Raekoja platsil valmib maailma pikim kiluvõileib |department=Tallinn |newspaper=Postimees |date=14 May 2014 |access-date=13 October 2016 |language=et |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013222342/http://tallinncity.postimees.ee/v2/2793898/raekoja-platsil-valmib-maailma-pikim-kiluvoileib |archive-date=13 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:EU-EE-Tallinn-LAS-Mustakivi and Laagna.jpg|Soviet architecture of the 1980s in the [[Lasnamäe]] district
File:Tallinn-Tornimae.jpg|Tornimäe business area
File:Tallinna siluett aastal 2021.png|[[Tallinn Bay]] and skyline of the city centre (2021)
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Estonia|EU}}
* [[Port of Tallinn]]
* [[Tallinn Airport|Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport]]
* [[Tallinn Bay]]
* [[Tallinn Marathon]]
* [[Tallinn Town Hall]]
* [[Walls of Tallinn]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Tallinn#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Tallinn}}

===Books and articles===
* Burch, Stuart. ''An unfolding signifier: London's Baltic exchange in Tallinn''. ''Journal of Baltic Studies'' 39.4 (2008): 451–473.
* Hallas, Karin, ed. ''20th Century Architecture in Tallinn'' (Tallinn, The Museum of Estonian Architecture, 2000).
*{{cite book|author=Helemäe, Karl|title=Tallinn, Olympic Regatta city |asin=B0006E5Y24 }}
* Kattago, Siobhan. ''War memorials and the politics of memory: The Soviet war memorial in Tallinn''. ''Constellations'' 16.1 (2009): 150–166. [http://www.culturahistorica.es/kattago/war_memorials.pdf online]
* Naum, Magdalena. ''Multi-ethnicity and material exchanges in Late Medieval Tallinn''. ''European Journal of Archaeology'' 17.4 (2014): 656–677. [https://www.academia.edu/download/35404768/Naum_2014_Tallinn.pdf online]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
* Õunapuu, Piret. ''The Tallinn department of the Estonian National museum: History and developments''. ''Folklore: Electronic Journal of Folklore'' 48 (2011): 163–196.
* Pullat, Raimo. ''Brief history of Tallinn'' (Estopol, 1999).
*{{cite book|author=Tannu, Elena |title=The living past of Tallinn |year=1990 |publisher=Perioodika Publishers |isbn=5-7979-0031-9 }}

===Travel guides===
* {{cite book |author=Clare Thomson |title=Tallinn |date=February 2006 |publisher=Footprint Publishing |isbn=1-904777-77-5 }}
* {{cite book |author=Neil Taylor |title=Tallinn |year=2004 |publisher=Bradt City Guide |isbn=1-84162-096-3 }}
*{{cite book|author=Dmitri Bruns|title=Architectural Landmarks, Places of Interest |asin=B0006E6P9K }}
*{{cite book|author=Sulev Mäeväli|title=Historical and architectural monuments in Tallinn |asin=B0007AUR60 }}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Tallinn}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.tallinn.ee/eng The Website of the City of Tallinn] (official)
* [https://www.visittallinn.ee Visit Tallinn official city guide]
* [https://tallinn.info/discover/ Panoramas of Tallinn] 
* [http://360.tallinn.ee/pano/list/en/ Panoramas of Tallinn Old Town] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701051706/http://360.tallinn.ee/pano/list/en/ |date=1 July 2011 }}
* [http://3d.tallinn.ee/ 3D model of Tallinn Old Town]
* [http://www.filmportal.de/en/video/die-baltische-hafenstadt-reval Historical footage of Tallinn, 1920] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160304232849/http://www.filmportal.de/en/video/die-baltische-hafenstadt-reval archive]), [[filmportal]].de

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