Gates, walls and towers
· Vanalinn
Viru Outer Gate
Viru outer gate confined entrants between towers and walls, allowing defenders to control every movement.
The outer gate extended the defence beyond the main entrance and prevented an attacker from reaching it directly. A narrow route, fire from the sides and successive barriers favoured the defenders. A modern pedestrian crosses between the towers in moments, but to a medieval arrival this passage marked the change from an open road to the strict control of the town.
Practical information
Address: Viru tänav
Pause between the towers and look up towards the openings and surviving masonry. Keep the busy pedestrian passage clear.