Description of the attraction
The Great Guild Building, built between 1407-1417, is the second largest secular medieval building in Tallinn. The building was intended for meetings.
A large guild united wealthy merchants and was called upon to protect their interests. From the members of the guild, the city head and the ratmans were elected. A married merchant who had his own house in Tallinn could become a member of the guild. Of the visitors, not everyone could join the guild, only those who decided to stay in Tallinn forever. In addition, the foreigner still had to marry the widow of a guild member.
The high level of prosperity and influence of the members of the guild is evidenced by the huge size of the building and its elegant appearance. The small coat of arms of Tallinn in the form of a white cross on a red background was also the coat of arms of the Great Guild. In the area of Bursi Lane (Birzhevoy) there were ancillary premises of the guild. On the side of Pikk Street there was an excise chamber and a silver store, and on the side of Lai Street there were the so-called "bride's chamber" and the servant's apartment.
The facade of the Great Guild is decorated with a coat of arms, and a castle dating from 1430 hangs on the front door. The external appearance and interior of the building has been preserved from the 15th century practically unchanged.
The Great Guild now houses the Estonian History Museum, which will reopen in June 2011. The museum houses a permanent exhibition that tells about the history of the city from ancient times to the end of the 20th century. Films and interactive exhibitions will tell about the struggle of our ancestors for survival over the past 11 thousand years.
