War and destruction
· Toompea
The Toompea Fire of 1684
A major fire in 1684 destroyed buildings on Toompea and forced the seat of power to be rebuilt.
Toompea looks solid and enduring today, but the fire of 1684 radically altered its appearance. Flames destroyed much of the built environment, and new arrangements rose among surviving walls. The loss was not merely architectural: homes, property, records and a sense of safety were threatened. Later buildings conceal much of the disaster, so walking here means imagining two versions of Toompea at once, before and after the fire.
Practical information
Address: Toompea
Walk through Toompea and compare buildings of different periods. The extent of the 1684 fire cannot be read from one facade.