August 2025. We’re travelling to the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and more specifically their respective capitals Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Are they interconnected by rail? Yes, but not in the most straightforward or userfriendly way possible. The Rail Baltica project should remedy this. Unsurprisingly though, this megaproject faces political and budgetary hurdles. It will most likely not be ready by 2030. But that doesn’t stop us. What to expect from the Baltics? Is it affected by  overtourism? 

After the Lennusadam or Seaplane Harbour, part of the Estonian Maritime Museum (Eesti Meremuuseum), we headed to Tallinn Old Town for the Estonian History Museum at the Great Guild Hall. 

Estonian History Museum

The Estonian History Museum, known in Estonian as Eesti Ajaloomuuseum, is a prominent institution dedicated to the history of Estonia, with one of its principal locations housed in the historic Great Guild Hall in Tallinn. 

The museum traces its origins to the early nineteenth century, when Tallinn pharmacist Johann Burchard began assembling a collection called ‘Mon Faible‘ (‘My Weakness‘), whose first item was an opium pipe from China. 

In 1822, Burchard hosted an exhibition at the House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, laying the groundwork for a broader public engagement with historical artefacts. In 1842, the Estonian Literary Society, then known as the Estländische Literärische Gesellschaft, began collecting materials with the aim of establishing a museum. These efforts culminated on 19 February 1864 with the founding of the Provincial Museum of the Estonian Literature Society at Canute Guild.

The museum’s collections grew over time, though they suffered disruptions during the Soviet occupation, when some materials were destroyed and collections redistributed. In 1952, the museum moved to the Great Guild Hall, a Gothic building in Tallinn’s historic centre, where it remains to this day. In 1989, the institution adopted its current name, the Estonian History Museum. 

Today, it encompasses four main sites: the Great Guild Hall, Maarjamäe Palace, the Film Museum, and the Theatre and Music Museum, collectively offering a comprehensive view of Estonia’s political, social, and cultural development.

The Great Guild Hall

The Great Guild Hall itself is a remarkable example of medieval Tallinn architecture. Constructed between 1407 and 1410, with interior finishes completed by 1417, the hall served as the headquarters of the Great Guild, an association of merchants and artisans operating in Tallinn from at least the 14th century until 1920. 

The building’s façade is adorned with blind arches and a prominent portal, while the main hall, a large 365 m² space supported by pillars with intricately carved capitals, retains much of its medieval character. 

Over the centuries, the hall hosted a wide array of events, from grand parties to church services and court proceedings. Its cellar, used for wine storage in the Middle Ages, later became the popular wine cellar Das Süsse Loch in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

During that period, when the building was known as the Stock Exchange, it also served as a lively arts venue. The hall has been carefully restored and refurbished, most recently between 2010 and 2011, in a project financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the Estonian Ministry of Culture, and Enterprise Estonia. The restoration, which included the renewal of the permanent exhibition, involved collaboration between the Estonian History Museum and several architectural and construction firms. In recognition of its historical and cultural significance, the Great Guild Hall was awarded the European Heritage Label in 2013.

Exhibitions

The museum’s exhibitions in the Great Guild Hall highlight Tallinn’s rich history as a Hanseatic trading hub. 

‘The Splendour of the Hanseatic League: How Wealth Was Made in the Middle Ages‘ focuses on the role of merchants in the Baltic Sea region, tracing the flow of goods, wealth, and culture across northern Europe. 

Through objects such as textiles, furs, and luxury items from cities including Hamburg and Riga, the exhibition reveals how trade brought both prosperity and influence, while illustrating the skills, knowledge, and cultural impact of individual merchants. The hall itself, historically the seat of Tallinn’s merchant guild, provides a fitting backdrop for exploring these stories.

Chamber of Legends

Another notable permanent exhibition is the ‘Chamber of Legends‘, located on the hall’s underground floor. This display presents a selection of rare and extraordinary artefacts, some of which date back to the earliest collections of the museum assembled by Baltic Germans. 

Among the treasures on display are a hidden letter from 1827 discovered during the renovation of the Tallinn Town Hall Pharmacy, the chalice of the Tallinn coffin makers, the official staff of the Tartu carriage makers, as well as curious everyday objects such as gold and silver wine jugs, magnifying fun-house mirrors, and elaborate chamber pots. 

The exhibition emphasises the fascination with unusual or exceptional items, reflecting the cultural curiosity and appreciation for craftsmanship that characterised the museum’s earliest collectors.

Through its combination of historical architecture, meticulously curated exhibitions, and rare artefacts, the Estonian History Museum in the Great Guild Hall offers visitors a rich and immersive journey into Estonia’s past. From the medieval grandeur of the Hanseatic period to the personal and cultural histories captured in the Chamber of Legends, the museum provides a vivid insight into the social, economic, and cultural developments that have shaped Tallinn and Estonia over the centuries.

A visit of the museum

It’s not really what we expected, but still quite interesting. The museum is not large, so the visit is quick. 

History of Estonia

The history of Estonia is a rich tapestry that spans thousands of years, marked by periods of independence, foreign rule, and cultural transformation.

Human settlement in what is now Estonia became possible around 13,000–11,000 years ago, after the last glacial period had ended. The earliest known permanent population dates from approximately 9000 BC. These early inhabitants were primarily hunter-gatherers who gradually adopted agriculture and developed distinct cultural practices. Over time, the region saw the emergence of various tribes and chiefdoms, each with its own traditions and social structures.

The medieval period in Estonia began with the Northern Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, during which Christian crusaders from Denmark and the Holy Roman Empire sought to convert the indigenous pagan population. By 1227, the region had been largely Christianised. Following the conquest, Estonia was divided among various foreign powers. The northern part came under Danish rule, while the southern regions were controlled by the Teutonic Order and other ecclesiastical entities. This period saw the establishment of feudal systems and the introduction of Germanic culture and language, which would influence Estonian society for centuries.

16th century and later

In the 16th century, during the Livonian War, Estonia was divided between the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Sweden. The northern part, including Tallinn, fell under Swedish control, while the southern regions became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Swedish rule brought relative stability and reforms, including the establishment of a more centralised administration and the promotion of education.

The early 18th century was a tumultuous time for Estonia. In 1710, during the Great Northern War, the Russian Empire defeated Sweden and took control of Estonia. Under Russian rule, Estonia experienced significant changes. The local German-speaking nobility retained a degree of autonomy, but Russian influence grew, leading to reforms in administration and education.

The 19th century was a period of awakening for the Estonian people. The Estophile Enlightenment, which began in the mid-18th century, laid the groundwork for a national consciousness. 

By the mid-19th century, the Estonian national awakening gained momentum, with a focus on promoting the Estonian language, culture, and identity. This period saw the rise of literary works, such as the national epic Kalevipoeg, and the establishment of cultural institutions that celebrated Estonian heritage.

First independence

Following the collapse of the Russian Empire after World War I, Estonia declared its independence on 24 February 1918. The subsequent Estonian War of Independence (1918–1920) led to the recognition of Estonia’s sovereignty by Soviet Russia in the Treaty of Tartu in 1920. 

During the interwar period, Estonia developed into a democratic republic, with a constitution adopted in 1937. However, this period of independence was short-lived.

Occupations

In 1940, Estonia was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union. This was followed by a German occupation from 1941 to 1944 during World War II. After the war, the Soviet Union reoccupied Estonia, leading to decades of Soviet rule. During this time, Estonia experienced significant political repression, forced deportations, and efforts to suppress Estonian culture and identity.

Singing Revolution

The late 1980s saw a resurgence of nationalist sentiment, culminating in the Singing Revolution, a peaceful movement that led to the restoration of Estonian independence on 20 August 1991. 

Since regaining independence, Estonia has undergone significant political, economic, and social transformations. It has developed into a stable democracy, joined the European Union and NATO in 2004, and adopted the euro in 2011. 

Estonia today

Today, Estonia is known for its advanced digital society, strong economy, and active participation in international affairs. With Russia invading Ukraine, the country feels pressure from its big neighbour. 

Estonians showcase their support for Ukraine and opposition to the current regime in Russia. 

Baltic States 2025

1. REVIEW | The Loft by Brussels Airlines and Lexus business lounge at Brussels Airport A-Gates.
2. REVIEW | Brussels Airlines Business Class Brussels to Munich.
3. REVIEW | Lufthansa Business Lounge Schengen and Lufthansa Senator Business Lounge Satellite Schengen at Munich Airport Terminal 2.
4. REVIEW | Air Baltic Business Class Munich to Tallinn.
5. REVIEW | Swissotel Tallinn.
6. TALLINN | Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour Estonian Maritime Museum.