Gates, walls and towers
· Vanalinn
Viru Gates
The two towers known as Viru Gates are only the surviving part of a once much larger fortified entrance.
The towers on Viru Street belonged to the outer defences of a medieval gate complex. The main gate stood farther inside, and arrivals passed through several controlled sections. Much of the structure was removed in the 19th century when the city needed broader traffic routes. The surviving towers are now a symbol of Tallinn, but they began as a serious military obstacle rather than a romantic portal.
Practical information
Address: Viru 26
View the towers from both sides and continue towards the Old Town to appreciate the length of the former multi-part gateway.