Brotherhood of the Blackheads Hall

Brotherhood of the Blackheads Hall

Just take one look at the striking red, green, and gold Renaissance-style façade of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads Hall, and you’ll understand why it appears on every postcard of Tallinn. This was once the guildhall of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, a medieval guild made up of young, unmarried merchants and foreign traders.

The Brotherhood of the Blackheads was established in 1399 and operated only in Estonia and Latvia, never taking root in other parts of Europe. Its last members left Tallinn in 1940. The guild’s patron saint was Saint Maurice, a Moorish martyr from early Christianity who died around 280–300 AD in Switzerland. His likeness is featured on the guildhall’s crest, which also gave the guild its unusual name.

When the Brotherhood of the Blackheads acquired this 14th-century building in the early 16th century, they immediately added a hall with a flat wooden ceiling. After decorating it extensively with Dutch Renaissance carvings, the formal reconstruction began in 1597. The most eye-catching front door dates back to 1640. Today, the guildhall’s walls are the only surviving example of Renaissance architecture in Tallinn, and the space now serves as the main venue for concerts and receptions. Inside, visitors can see two vaulted halls that were purchased from the neighboring St. Olaf Guildhall and date back to the 15th century. The 1908 renovation added neoclassical elements to the interior.

House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads

Must-visit reason: The only remaining Renaissance building in Tallinn

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Estonia[Estonia]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Harju County [Harju County]

City where the attraction is located: Tallinn [Tallinn]