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“A market that had not been seen there for a long time opened in Tallinn Raatus Square. They met again as before, as stipulated by the order and customs of the Hanseatic city. The people of the city and the creators liked the agreeable initiative, and now the endeavour that started back then has become an integral part of Tallinn’s summer events.”
Today’s Medieval Days have added a dimension that values history, worldview and culture to commercial activity.
The purpose of the Medieval Days project organised by the Estonian Folk Art and Handicraft Union is to raise awareness of the importance of the medieval old town of Tallinn, its beautiful architecture and traditions through playfulness, medieval music and drama. We want to offer the joy of creation to the makers, the joy of participation to the citizens and tourists, and thereby promoting national handicrafts.
The XXVI Medieval Days were held from the 11th to the 13th of July, 2025.
Participants, honoured guests, and the townsfolk alike were delighted by the colours and fashions of the Middle Ages, by tournaments, music, warriors, and craftsmen’s workshops.
The finest masters, duly crowned with honours:
⚜️ Etno Papuošalai (Lithuania) — a most engaging bronze-casting workshop
⚜️ Sigil Stone Studio — fair and finely wrought wares, with a splendid display
⚜️ Museum of the Reval Town Hall Pharmacy — a workshop true to the spirit of the age
The XXV Medieval Days were held from the 5th to the 7th of July, 2024.
In the year 2024, the Medieval Days were joined by a series of late-evening medieval gatherings. We ventured into the towers of the town wall, learned many curious things, and set forth on evening wanderings in the company of learned lords and ladies.
The finest masters, crowned with honours:
⚜️ Padise Monastery — an authentic display and a fair selection of fine wares
⚜️ Lonkava Hundi Koda (“The Limping Wolf’s House”) — stylishly medieval workshops
⚜️ Maris Willadsen Ceramics — wares inspired by the Middle Ages
The XXIV Medieval Days were held from the 6th to the 9th of July, 2023.
Once more, a great multitude gathered in Town Hall Square. They came from near and far: masters and merchants, journeymen and performers, lovers of all things medieval, and curious visitors alike.
At the opening ceremony, the crowd was treated to a grand spectacle by slackline world champion Tauri-Viljar Vahesaar, accompanied by a fiery show of wonder. Angels seemed to soar through the air, while dragons breathed flame above the festivities, much to the delight of the assembled folk.
As is the custom, the finest craftsmen and craftswomen were crowned with honours:
⚜️ Olga Rapoport — stylishly medieval textiles
⚜️ Lembe Maria Sihvre — authentic flavours and delicacies
⚜️ Alo-Allan Altmets — finely crafted and beautiful jewellery
The XXIII Medieval Days were held from the 7th to the 10th of July, 2022.
The festivities were opened by a grand procession from the Viru Gates to Town Hall Square, followed by the magnificent aerial spectacle “Magnificent” in Town Hall Square, performed by Grete Gross, Laura Kivistik, and Ile Poikela. As the crowning marvel of the evening, world-class slackliner Tauri-Viljar Vahesaar presented a daring and breath-taking aerial performance 35 metres above the square.
Musical delights were brought by the ensemble Bordo Sárkány from Hungary.
The event was organised by the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union and Hopner House in cooperation with the Liszt Institute, Olde Hansa Restaurant, and the Tallinn City Museum.
As tradition commands, the finest were chosen and crowned with honours:
⚜️ Katrin Koch-Maasing — Master of the Fair
⚜️ Eddi Leet — ever worthy for wares and display alike
⚜️ Lederverk OÜ — finest crafted wares of the year
The XXII Medieval Days were held from the 8th to the 11th of July, 2021.
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, the festivities were held on a somewhat smaller and quieter scale than in years past. Yet, as tradition would have it, there was still no shortage of merriment, pursuits, and noble entertainments in Town Hall Square, on Niguliste Hill, within the Town Hall, and at Hopner House.
Visitors enjoyed a variety of performances, guided walks through the town, and a bustling craftsmen’s market. Those so inclined could test their skill in workshops, games of dexterity, swordplay, feats of strength, and the arts. At the knightly tournament, the most skilful and the strongest competitors were duly determined.
The finest masters of the market were crowned with honours:
⚜️ Monika Hint
⚜️ Küllike Tuvikene
⚜️ Hilja Sepp
This year’s crowned masters are
Eviteh
Ukuharu
Andres Kask
The great Reval Knight tournament on Niguliste Hill was led by the historical fighting club Nordburg! This time, the band Sub Rosa from Hungary brought the most distant musical treat. At St Catherine’s Passage (Vene tn 14), guild masters and craftsmen, novices and apprentices were busy. Popular was the lecture “Imagined in the Middle Ages” by fashion historian Marina Skulskaja (St. Petersburg).
Best at the medieval market was crowned with wreaths once again:
Inventor and whistle maker Daniel Rahuvarm
Ronald Aruorg, a student at Meelis Kihulas Master’s School
Silver Sõrmus, a student at Meelis Kihulas Master’s School
The Grand Reval Knight tournament took place on Niguliste Hill, which was run by the historical fight club Nordburg! Competitors came from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Finland and Israel.
There were also musicians, dancers and other nice people from here and beyond the city wall:
travelling musicians,
house jesters,
travelling actors Obscurus Orbis (Latvia),
dances with Lathyrus Odoratus,
chamber choir Canorus,
Emand Nadja, who introduced medieval games,
Carousel Company house jesters,
Latte Veetalajas,
Mistress Kristi from the Great Guild Hall of the Estonian History Museum,
Rondo Danzante – medieval dances,
travelling musician Polina,
bagpipe duo Trorr,
Oriental beauties from Amrita dance studio and Valentina,
Hopner Early Music Studio
Omer Theater with the performance “Complications about St. George”
Hopner Maja put together a varied cultural program.
The best of the market were also revealed:
Wood craftsman – Meelis Kihulane,
Knife maker – Juris Karaseves,
Bone craftsman – Silja Reemet.
The big fair of the Medieval Days and the main program took place on the Town Hall square. At the Medieval Days were opening, a procession moved from the Town Hall square to the Small Coastal Gate Bastion for the knight tournament. The idea and production of the medieval tournament came from Ajateater www.ajateater.ee. On all days, activities also took place on Harju Hill, where masters traded in the medieval village with workshops and competitions. The early music ensemble Rondellus and Triskele performed at the evening concerts in St Catherine’s Church. Jaak Juske’s historical tour in the old town turned out to be very popular again.
The cultural program is organised by Hopner Maja.
Best masters of the fair, crowned with wreaths:
The best – Küllike Tuvikene
Best display – Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy)
Best product – Trummikoda (Drum House) drums
The Merchant’s Market continued on Town Hall Square with an exciting program. A Medieval Village was built on Niguliste Hill. At the initiative of Ajateater, a knight tournament was held, already expected and loved by the townspeople.
The biggest innovation of 2015 was the knight tournament at Small Coastal Gate Bastion, organised by Ajateater. It came under the backing of Medieval Days for the first time. Idea and production – Anne Velt, Lars Uus & Ajateater.
The heart of the Medieval Days was the Town Hall square, where the medieval market was with a stage faithful to the era. On Niguliste Hill a medieval village was set up with an archery tournament and a children’s knight school. Bordo Sarkany from Hungary was the main performer of the Townspeople’s party on Towers’ Square.
As an innovation, Diele evening concerts organised by the Hopner house took place.
The event was opened on July 4th with a large procession and festive speeches on the stage of the Town Hall Square, a carnival took place in the Town Hall and a lively public party on Towers’ Square. For the first time, Ajateater participated in the days of the Medieval Days, organising Mart’s bread performances and a medieval party evening in Hopner’s house. A Medieval Market was on the Town Hall square, the place for most of the main program, and the Medieval Village was set up on Niguliste Hill with archaic craft workshops.
The 13th Medieval Days began in a new way. The opening celebrations with a procession and opening ceremony began in the evening, followed by entertainment on the Town Hall Square for the townspeople and those invited to the Town Hall. In a joint procession, we went to Towers’ Square to listen to Latvian medieval music performed by the Auli band. Similar to the previous year, the Medieval Days included the village of masters on Nigliste Hill.
The best of Medieval Days market were chosen:
Tallinn Paper calligrapher Tatjana Jakovleva
Master of Antiquities Merlin Lõiv
Hungarian ocarina master Julia
The 12th Medieval Days took place with the support of Tallinn 2011 and within the framework of the Year of Jewelry, more spectacularly than ever before. Niguliste Hill gained a completely new dimension, where a medieval village was built, i.e. the tents of medieval craftsmen with workshops. There was a Lodjakoda workshop (ship-building), a jewellery workshop, a textile workshop, a leather workshop, a soap workshop, and a plant workshop. In addition, traditional classrooms for children and a knight’s school.
As always, the best of the Medieval Days market were chosen:
Masters of the tannery led by Kristina Rajando
Jewellery store masters Anne Roolaht and Harvi Varkki
Fighters of the Lonkava Hundi Koda (Lame Wolf Chamber)
Tohuvabohu’s handiwork
A new venture was a medieval evening organised in Towers’ Square in cooperation with the Tallinn Flower Festival. A large number of townspeople gathered to watch the medieval-style concert.
The medieval carnival in Tallinn Town Hall was a hit. For many guests attending, the carnival is always the highlight of the year.
Awarded in 2010
Puppet master Anni Urb
Dressmaker Jana Wolke
The best workshop – Rändav Lodjaselts
The X anniversary was modestly celebrated. Traditional events took place: market, children’s mountain, archery tournament, marzipan market. For the second time, Medieval Days were part of the medieval carnival in Tallinn City Hall.
Awarded in 2009
The best craftsman – Gyulmira Ibragimova, a vertical loom weaver from Dagestan
Beautiful product and display – Nikolai Ivanov, Latvian ceramist
Childlike workshop – Natalja Litvinova
For the first time, the Medieval Market was called Medieval Days, giving the event a wider dimension than just the fair.
As a new initiative, a medieval carnival and archery tournament was organised in Tallinn Town Hall. For the first time, Raeapteek joined the Medieval Days. They shared their knowledge of herbal medicine and the tired townspeople were cheered up by medieval apothecaries. Tammsaare Theater’s performance “Fear and Love in Old Tallinn” also received a lot of attention. The early music ensemble “Ballare” from Latvia and “De Vantrande Kinterna” from Sweden, and artisans from Latvia and Hungary participated as guest performers.
Praised in 2008
Eve Tiidolepp – Best Craftsmen
Firefox Guild – Letter of commendation for valuable goods
Katariina’s Guild House of Hats – for beautiful goods
Kango Textiles – for valuable goods
A.H. Tammsaare Theatre – for creating a cheerful mood
We continued to introduce medieval trade traditions at the fair with an added entertainment program.
The VII Medieval Market was held from the 6th to the 9th of July, 2006.
This year, visitors were entertained by many skilled performers and musicians. Among them were Hovinarrit from Finland, Poeta Magica from Germany, the remarkable contortionists of Vello Vaher, the troubadours of Olde Hansa, fire-eaters, Studio Silence Music, and the Kiili Early Music Ensemble. Guests could also watch and learn medieval dances with the Leigarid folk dancers, while themed tours of the Old Town were led by young guides.
A particularly splendid undertaking was the arrival of a noble retinue from old Livonia, come to forge a lasting marriage alliance between the noble houses of Reval and Marienburg. With the help of Tammsaare Theatre, Olde Hansa, and the organisers, a medieval wedding feast was celebrated in accordance with ancient customs and traditions.
For the first time, Tallinn Cinema House joined the festival programme. There, visitors could gather in the evenings to watch films inspired by the medieval age, including Dance of Death, The Parson of Reigi, Satan’s Tear, and In the Time of Wolf Laws.
The VI Medieval Market was held in 2005.
The following craftsmen and craftswomen were crowned and held in high esteem for their mastery:
⚜️ Küllike Tuvikene — textiles crafted using the ancient block-printing technique
⚜️ Virve Eviste — fine soaps made by hand
⚜️ Tiia Mets — handcrafted dolls inspired by the medieval age
⚜️ A master artisan from Latvia — silver and bronze jewellery fashioned after ancient archaeological finds
These worthy artisans were honoured for preserving traditional skills and bringing the spirit of ages long gone to the market through their craft.
The III Medieval Market was held in 2002.
Once again, more craftsmen, master artisans, and artists came to offer their wares than in the years before. A steady circle of curious onlookers gathered around the felt-hat makers Riina Maitus and Hilda Rütter, the blacksmith’s forge of Alvar Heiste, the potter’s wheel of ceramic master Aivar Rumvold, and many other workshops of skilled hands.
The art of medieval calligraphy was demonstrated by the calligraphy master Heino Kivihall, while Katariina, a member of the Medieval Club Reval, showed the craft of spinning. In a dark tent nearby, a numerologist awaited visitors seeking a glimpse into hidden mysteries.
Those whose bellies began to rumble made their way to the edge of the square, where a whole suckling pig was roasting upon a spit. There, one could also find salted herring, pickled cucumbers, barley bread, and other hearty fare, much as folk might have enjoyed in days long past.
For the second summer, the Medieval Market was revived for four days in Tallinn’s old town. The town hall square and the surrounding streets were filled with characters in period clothes, from respectable city lords and ladies to simple townspeople, merchants, jesters and beggars.
The First Medieval Market was held in the year 2000.
On the 30th day of June in the Year of Our Lord 2000, a market was opened in Tallinn’s Town Hall Square, the like of which had not been seen there for many a year. Once again, folk gathered as in days of old, in keeping with the customs and traditions of a Hanseatic town.
In preparation for the event, participants attended a course entitled “The Medieval Elementary School” at the Tallinn Cultural People’s University. There they were instructed by learned lecturers, among them Jüri Kuuskemaa, Kustav-Agu Püüman, and others, who shared their knowledge of medieval life and lore.
During the days of the Medieval Days, Tallinn can experience a flourishing Hanseatic atmosphere – a medieval market with traders and workshops takes place on the Town Hall Square, and on St Nicholas’ Hill you will find a village of craftsmen and a children’s area with workshops, a knight’s school and many other exciting things.