Great Guild in Tallinn, Estonia

The Great Guild is a historical medieval building in the Gothic style located in the center of Old Tallinn. Today, the Great Guild is part of the Estonian History Museum, where you can explore various exhibitions.

Built in 1410, the guild was used for various purposes: negotiations, celebrations and holidays, as well as meetings of the guild members. Over time, the functions of the building changed until the Estonian History Museum settled here in 1952. In 2011, a major renovation of the building was carried out, and in 2014, the Great Guild building was the first in Estonia to receive the European Cultural Heritage label.

Nowadays, the Great Guild houses several exhibitions. The permanent exhibition, “Chamber of Legends”, is dedicated to various historical objects associated with Estonian legends. In total, you can get acquainted with 88 exhibits here, whose range is regularly replenished and updated.

In March 2024, a new temporary exhibition opened. Called “Ülo Sooster: Prison and Love”, it is devoted to the centenary of the artist Ülo Ilmar Sooster, one of the most prominent representatives of modernism in Estonia. The exhibition reveals the life of the artist and his family and introduces his works from different periods, including the period of imprisonment in the GULAG.

The second temporary exhibition is “Why is Estonia not a kingdom?“. It explores the history and social identity of Estonia from the 11th to the 14th centuries.

In addition to exhibitions, various cultural and educational events and concerts are held in the Great Guild. One may also book a one-hour guided tour for a group of up to 25 people.

The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00 (Oct-March), Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 – 18:00 (April – September).

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Tallinn, Estonia