Tallinn of vice
· Kesklinn
Mardi Street Brothel
The registered brothel at Mardi 3 belonged to a system that monitored women more closely than their customers.
Early twentieth-century Tallinn tried to regulate prostitution through registration and supervision. The history of the Mardi Street house exposes an imbalance in that system: scrutiny and stigma fell mainly on women while clients were often less visible. Behind a name and address were people with differing circumstances and limited choices. The site is best approached as social history, with attention to those affected rather than sensational detail.
Practical information
Address: Mardi 3
View the Mardi 3 area from the street and respect the building’s current residents and users.