Daily Archives: August 3, 2010

Toompea Castle is the seat of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia (the Riigikogu). Immediately to the south and adjacent to Toompea Castle is the Kuberneriaed (Governor’s Garden). Toompea Castle includes both older and newer construction. The older structure on the west side was part of the medieval fortress of the Order of the Brothers of the Sword and includes the Tall Hermann Tower (Pikka Hermanni Torn). The Estonian flag flies above the Tall Hermann Tower, with blue for the sky, black for the soil, and white for hard work and a bright future. Newer additions to Toompea Castle include the east wing which was built on order of Russian Empress Catherine the Great and completed in 1773. The south wing was completed in 1935. Other fortifications, 60% of them original, can also be seen in Tallinn. Continue reading →