Hellemann Tower and City Wall, Tallinn

Parts of Tallinn's City Wall have stood since the 13th century. This wall was one of the strongest defense systems in Northern Europe. At its peak, the wall had 45 wall and gate towers and was over two and a quarter kilometers long. Today, 26 towers and less than two kilometers of the wall remain.

The Hellemann Tower was built in the early 15th century. It was named after a resident who owned land nearby and was built to protect Viru Gate. Helleman Tower has three levels and a three quarter circle layout. The 11 meters (33 feet) tall first floor was used as an ammunition room. The tower has also been used as a prison.

Today, Helleman Tower houses an art gallery and offers wonderful views of Town Hall and the rest of Tallinn.

Visitors can also walk along a 200 meter (656 feet) section of the City Wall. This is the longest portion of the wall that is open to visitors. It's surprisingly high up; visitors can see the city streets below and be transported back through the centuries.