The next Medieval Days in the Old Town of Tallinn will take place on July 6-9 AD 2023
The new program comes in June 2023.
For four days, the Town Hall Square and the surroundings of St. Nicholas Church will become a flourishing Hanseatic city. The heart of the Medieval Days is the Medieval Market on the Town Hall Square, where cheerful concerts, performances, and medieval entertainment are offered to the townspeople on all four days.
MEDIEVAL MARKET, Town Hall Square
The heart of the Middle Ages is the Town Hall Square. Here is the main stage where the performances take place. In addition to the timeless program, demonstrations of medieval clothing can be seen on stage, and the best of the fair are honored here, and many great events begin here. There will also be a large medieval-style masters’ fair on the Town Hall Square, workshops will be open and those interested can get involved and watch the masters do. Traditionally, the masters of Labora are present. Labora combines the experiences and skills of the masters of Tallinn Paper and Tallinn Calligraphy School. And how to decorate the fabric differently, you can see the fabric printing in the workshops. And, of course, there is the Town Hall Pharmacy, which celebrates its dignified 600th anniversary this year.
Come with us to the Middle Ages!
MEDIEVAL VILLAGE, on the Niguliste Hill
The area around St. Nicholas church will become into a Medieval Village for 4 days during the Medieval days in 2022. Local craftsmen, journeymen and apprentices as well as masters from countries far away will show their skills to the citizens and trade with wide assortment of medieval arts and crafts.
The masters of the strolling medieval workshops twist ropes, smelt the iron, spin the yarn and weave fabrics and create different handcrafted items.
Master Eremiit is present to show us what you can create from wood. Carpenter Peter will demonstrate how to carve a spoon and with apprentice Martin you can make wooden animals.
Medieval archers guided by famous Katarina will help us to straighten our eye and hit the target.
Handicraft club Raudrohi teaches us the art of embroidery and you can try your skills in twisting ropes and making a traditional doll with the help of real artisans.
Wood-cut medieval printing presses can be used to print scarves as well as other decorative items.
Lonkava Hundi Koda is present with carpenters, fighters as well as wise and noble ladies, who can give us additional information about the Medieval ages.
Hunters from countries far away are bringing magnificent fur skins, genuine leather and bone products. The noble Aija will share us the secrets of dying with plants.
Silver jewelry will be exhibited by Runa Rotas goldsmiths from faraway countries.
You can also visit Medieval Hairdresser to braid your hair and make flower wreathes.
Knife masters will recommend you their best sharp creations.
Children can study in a small school of Knights. Noble Christian and Eliisabet will guide different games of skills and you can take part in medieval dances as well.
Lord and artist Michael will also visit us and tell about the art of painting.
Noble Katharina will help us to put together a bag of perfumes, which will help against all diseases and you will learn which plants are good for what. Many herbal plants and seeds will be for sale as well.
The Medieval Village will live its merry and busy life!
Come and join us, plenty of activities and fun for everyone!
REVAL TOURNAMENT, on the Niguliste Hill
On Saturday, sword fighters will determine the greatest. The organizer is Nordbug, an association of historical fighting.
Thursday, 7 July
10:00 – 18:00 Medieval Market at Town Hall Square and Medieval Village at Niguliste Hill
Stage programm at Town Hall Square :
12:00 Announcments from Herold to citizens and merchants
13:00 Olde Hansa Musicus
14:00 Strolling musicians Arno Kalbus, Kadi Uibo and Krista Citra Joonas
15:00 Bordó Sárkány, Hungary
16:00 Strolling musicians Arno Kalbus, Kadi Uibo and Krista Citra Joonas
17:30 Opening Parade starting from Viru gates in the beginning of Viru Street. Opening Ceremony at Town Hall Square and Air Show „Magnificent“
Grand show from aerial acrobats between Earth and Sky. Laughter, excitement and adrenaline guaranteed.
Performers: Grete Gross, Laura Kivistik, Ile Poikela
The opening ceremony at a dizzying height ends with a walk in the air from the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tauri Vahesaare, which is illustrated by excerpts from Jaan Kross’s novel “Between the Three Plagues”.
Guided Tours to citizens:
13.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point Tourist Information Centre (Niguliste 2) with guides from Tales of Reval (in english). Donations are welcome!
15:00 “Colourful life of Medieval Tallinn“, meeting point at Viru Gates in the beinning of Viru street with guide Krista Heinpalu (in estonian). Free!
15.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point in front of St. Nicholas Church with guides from Tales of Reval (in estonian). Donations are welcome!
16.00 „How Middle Age came to Tallinn“, meeting point Maiden Tower (Lühike jalg 9A) with guide Tõnu Pedaru (in estonian). Tickets available HERE
19:00 „Symbols and signs on the houses in Medieval Tallinn“ with guide Marina Dunajeva (in russian). Meeting point in front of the Hopner House (Vanaturu kael 3). Free!
21:00 Theatrical tour of the Upper Town, Toompea, with Jaak Juske (in estonian). Free!
Great Guild Hall
12.00 and 16.00 Guided Tours „Musical garden. Hortus Musicus 50“ Ticket 10/8 eur, includes free entrance to all exhibitions in the Great Guild Hall. Max 15 persons, tickets available HERE. Guided tour of the new exhibition in the Estonian History Museum by hostess Jaanika (in estonian).
10-18.00 ALL DAYS Audiojourney „The beauty of life“. On the trails of Hortus Musicus with Andres Mustonen (in estonian, in english , in russian). Ticket 8/6 eur, includes entrance to all exhibitions in the Great Guild Hall. The tour takes abt 1,5-2 hours.
10-18.00 ALL DAYS An exciting Great Guild Seeking game for families (in estonian, in russian). Tickets 8/6 eur. Family ticket 16 eur, includes entrance to all exhibitions in the Great Guid Hall.
Friday, 8 July
10:00 – 18:00 Medieval Market at Town Hall Square and Medieval Village at Niguliste Hill
Stage programm at Town Hall Square:
Due to the rain, the concerts will take place in the Diele Hall of the Hopner House.
Entrance Vanaturu kael 3.
12:00 Award ceremony of the best craftsmen.
12:30 Activities and games to citizens
13:00 Strolling Circus “Kaks oivalist penooplast ja preili Mia”
13:30 Olde Hansa Musicus
14:00 The selection of best feet, skillful fingers and special moustaches among the citizens.
15:00 Bordó Sárkány, Hungary
16:00 Strolling Circus “Kaks oivalist penooplast ja preili Mia”
17:00 Bordó Sárkány, Hungary
Guided Tours to cityzens:
13.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point Tourist Information Centre (Niguliste 2) with guides from Tales of Reval (in english). Donations are welcome!
15.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point in front of St. Nicholas Church with guides from Tales of Reval (in estoninan) Donations are welcome!
17:00 „Religious and Church life in Medieval Tallinn“ Meeting point at Viru Gates in the beginning of Viru street with guide Krista Heinpalu (in estonian). Free!
17:00 „Merchant Guilds in Medieval Tallinn” with guide Jüri Kuuskemaa (in estonian). Ticket 7 eur, available HERE.
18:00 „From Peeter-Paul to Saint Nicholas. Vene street“ with guide Eduard Kohlhof. Meeting point in front of Town Hall Pharmacy Raekoja plats 11 (in russian). Free!
19:00 Carnival night, beginning in front of the Town Hall.
Saturday, 9 July
10:00 – 18:00 Medieval Market at Town Hall Square and Medieval Village at Niguliste Hill
Stage programm at Town Hall Square :
12:00 Bordó Sárkány, Hungary
13:00 Oriental dancers from dancestudio Müstika
13:30 Strolling musicians Egon ja Johanna Maria
14:00 Historical dances from Fioretto
14:30 Medieval Clothing by Katharina
15:00 Strolling musicians Egon and Johanna Maria
15:30 Bordó Sárkány, Hungary
16:30 Historical dances from Fioretto
Guided tours to the citizens:
13.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point Tourist Information Centre (Niguliste 2) with guides from Tales of Reval (in english). Donations are welcome!
13:00 „Craftsmen Guilds“ with guide Jüri Kuuskemaa (in estonian). Ticket 7 eur, available HERE
15:00 „Health, pandemia and healers in Middle Age“ with guide Krista Heinpalu. Meeting point in front of Town Hall Pharmacy (in estonian). Free!
15.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point in front of St. Nicholas Church with guides from Tales of Reval (in estoninan). Donations are welcome!
15:00 „Life around medieval market“ with guide Eduard Kohlhof. Meeting point in front of Town Hall Pharmacy (in russian) Ticket 7 eur, available HERE
21:00 Theatrical tour in the upper town, Toompea, with Jaak Juske (in estonian). Free!
In the Old Town:
12:00 – 16:00 Reval Cup beside the St. Nicholas Church
Spectacular performances from Knights, historical dances and craftsmen.
19:30 St Dominican Monastery
Musical program with the sonnets of William Shakespeare „As the waves make towards the pebbl´d shore“. Performed by medieval musical group of Kristjan Üksküla and Peeter Klaas.
Ticket 7 eur, available HERE and includes a glass of wine.
Sunday, 10 July
10:00 – 17:00 Medieval Market at Town Hall Square and Medieval Village at Niguliste Hill
Stage programm at Town Hall Square :
12:00 Kaari Uus, nykelharpa
12:30 Dances by Rondo Danzante
13:00 Medieval Clothing by Katharina
14:00 Kaari Uus, nyckelharpa
14:30 Dances by Rondo Danzante
15:00 Competion and election of the best…
15:30 Medieval music by Rondellus
16:20 Final speech
Guided tours to citizens
12:00 „Beer-scented Tallinn“ with guide Jüri Kuuskemaa (in estonian). Ticket 7 eur available HERE and the tour ends at Hopner House, where the lady of the house also offers guests house beer.
13.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point Tourist Information Centre (Niguliste 2) with guides from Tales of Reval (in english). Donations are welcome!
15:00 „Medieval spices and sweets“ with guide Natalja Saal (in russian). Ticket 7 eur available HERE
15.00 Interactive tour „Reval Journey“, meeting point in front of St. Nicholas Church with guides from Tales of Reval (in estonian). Donations are welcome!
The organizer maintains the right to alter the program.
The main organizer is the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union
Co-organizer of the cultural program is the Hopneri Maja and MTÜ Ajad ja Tavad