- Address: Komandandi tee 2, 10130 Tallinn, Estonia;
- Website: linnamuuseum.ee;
- Phone: +372 644 6686;
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 17:30.
As you know, in Tallinn there are many ancient towers and museums. For those who like to get everything at once, you have the opportunity to "break the jackpot", and visit simultaneously a defensive medieval tower with a rich history, and an interesting museum with several exhibition halls and an authentic atmosphere. Called this amazing place is the tower-museum Kick-in-de-Keck. Placed in the ancient walls of historical exhibitions make you completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the distant Estonian past.
History of the museum in the tower Kik-in-de-Kek
The construction of the defensive tower in the south-west of the city was due to the appearance at the end of the XV century of firearms. The line of defense of Tallinn required the erection of new structures that could hold back the onslaught of enemies. The tower was built for 8 years (1475-1483 gg.). Call a new defensive point in no hurry. They called it "a new tower behind Boleman", or "a tower at the Harju Gates near the watering of horses". The type of the original structure was also far from the modern one. It was not round, but horseshoe shaped and was much lower (the height of the tower in 1483 was 33.2 meters, today - 49.4 meters).
The tower Kik-in-de-Kek received its full name only in 1696. There are several legends about how a severe military tower got a funny German name, which in translation means "Look at the kitchen". One of them tells about the resourceful soldier, who somehow noticed that his own kitchen was being viewed from the post. He began to come home and "guess" what his wife cooked for dinner, which put everyone in a sincere amazement, since he had never been mistaken.
The idea of creating a museum in the Kik-in-de-Keck tower originated in the 30s of the 20th century, but it could not be realized until 1958. Later, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out, and in March 2010 an updated museum with bastion catacombs opened the doors for tourists.
What to see at the Kick-in-de-Keck Museum?
Tourists are available all 6 floors of the former defensive tower:
- on the ground floor there is a hall of modern art;
- on the second floor there is an exposition of ancient tools and household items of the Middle Ages;
- the third floor is dedicated to the history of Tallinn and its defensive structures (there are mock-ups of ancient fortress walls, broadcast documentary historical films);
- on the fourth floor , collections of military times are collected (many exhibits related to the Northern and Livonian War, the first firearms, there are expositions devoted to the plague and ancient tortures);
- on the fifth floor there is an armory hall with colorful interactive stands;
- The sixth floor is occupied by a cafe where you can have a snack, drink coffee and enjoy a stunning view from the vaulted windows.
In addition to an exciting tour of the Kik-in-de-Keck Museum, you can visit an equally interesting place, not just above the ground, but under - the dungeons of the Tallinn bastions. Traveling along a long tunnel is accompanied by unusual exposures. Some of them are quite expected - sculptures of famous people, historical figures, typical representatives of different eras. But there are also unexpected characters, like the figure of a real bum who lived in the catacombs before their reconstruction, or the soloist of the Estonian rock band, who loved to rehearse in an abandoned dungeon. Here you can make a journey in time on the "magic" train - go to 2154 and see how the Estonians today represent their city on the day of its millennium.
Information for tourists
- Tickets to the Kick-in-de-Keck tower museum: adult € 5, child / student / pension € 3, family € 10;
- ticket prices for bastions: adult - € 6, child / student / pension - € 3.5, family - € 12;
- the cost of the general ticket (museum + bastions) - € 9;
- the ticket office closes half an hour before the end of the visit;
- day off - Monday;
- a tour of the bastions must be ordered in advance;
- from March to October the museum is open from 10:30 to 18:00;
- from November to February the time of the museum: 10: 00-17: 30;
- admission is free: with Tallinn Card, May 15 (city day), 18 and 20 May (museum day / night);
- The museum can be visited without a guide or guide, bastions - no (only with an accompanying);
- if you are going to visit the bastions, take warm clothes with you (even in summer the temperature here does not exceed + 10 ° C, + 12 ° C).
How to get there?
The Kik-in-de-Keck Tower Museum is located on Komandandi 2, in the center of Tallinn .
From the town hall it can be reached in a few minutes.
From the western part of the city you can reach by public transport. Nearby there is a bus stop on the Paldiski highway No. 40, 41, 41B. After leaving, you should go straight to the east, reach the intersection of the highway with Falga Street, which then goes to Komandandi Street (the distance from the stop to the museum is 550 m).
It is also possible to walk to the Kick-in-de-Keck museum, after reaching the stop on the Toompuieste highway. There is a trolleybus №1, buses №22, 40, 41, 41В. Leaving the bus, you need to go a little up to Falga street, then get off at Komandandi and follow the museum in the east direction (distance 500 m).