Since 2022, the Tallinn City Life Museum has been located on Vene Street, in a historic merchant’s house, a place where the story of Tallinn unfolds through the everyday lives of its residents. Here, we tell the story of the city and the people who have shaped it over the centuries.

The Tallinn City Museum is an umbrella organization that unites all its branches and departments, bringing together shared collections and support activities.

EXHIBITION OF THE TALLINN CITY LIFE MUSEUM

The Tallinn City Life Museum sits in the heart of the Old Town on Vene Street, in what was once a wealthy merchant’s home. This medieval house brings the story of Tallinn to life through the people who have shaped the city across centuries. Visitors can explore how people lived, worked, and built their fortunes here. The exhibitions tell the city’s history through personal, memorable stories, inviting everyone to dive into Tallinn’s rich and diverse heritage.

Spread across five floors, the museum traces Tallinn’s story from the Hanseatic League to 20th-century homes, fashion, and technological innovations. Interactive exhibits and rare treasures from the city’s collections offer discoveries for all ages, from first-time visitors to devoted history enthusiasts.

The entire second floor is home to the playful and interactive exhibition “The Wealthy and Handsome. The Brotherhood of Blackheads in Tallinn,” which showcases the remarkable heritage of this brotherhood of young merchants. Celebrating its 625th anniversary this year, the Brotherhood of Blackheads is Tallinn’s oldest continuously operating organisation, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s culture, trade, innovation, and lively social life, including festivities, competitive games, parades, and the defence of the city.

On the fourth floor, the permanent exhibition “Lyndanise. Reval. Tallinn. City Life Through the Centuries” unveils Tallinn’s legends and the diverse aspects of city life, from education and religion to industry and trade. The exhibition asks what the “dream Tallinn” might have looked like and showcases plans that were never realized. The city’s story is told by Saint Victor, Tallinn’s patron saint, and a boy from Kalamaja who grows up to become the well-known guard Old Thomas. Visitors can also see some of the city’s most treasured artifacts, including the original Old Thomas, the gilded city key, the city council’s treasure chest, and the Dannebrog – a flag gifted to the city by Queen Margrethe II.

The open repository in the medieval vaulted cellars takes visitors on a journey through time via the dining tables of Tallinn’s residents, showcasing ceramic, metal, and porcelain tableware alongside rich collections of copper, brass, bronze, and tin objects.

Guided tours and workshops bring the stories of city life to life in a vivid, engaging, and contemporary way.