History
Hotel Nunne stands proudly within Tallinn’s UNESCO-protected old town, a testament to the region’s rich 800-year history. The medieval limestone city wall, built by the German merchants of the once mighty Hanseatic city, winds its way through the hotel. Impressively, much of the over two-kilometre wall, which took 300 years to build, remains intact. As you explore the hotel, the remnants of old embrasures serve as reminders of a time when Tallinn’s fortifications were impenetrable.
The proximity of Nunne Boutique Hotel boasts buildings from the latter part of the 19th century to the early 20th century, once housing agricultural associations, hotels, and educational establishments. Directly opposite, the medieval Nun's Tower stands next to the the Monastery Gate, offering visitors a glimpse into the city's ancient past. While the gate itself was a 19th-century addition, the wooden defensive passage above was restored during the Soviet era. This section of the city wall can also be accessed via the Nun’s Tower.
Nunne Street, which stretches from the hotel to the iconic Toompea Hill, was once home to the grand medieval city gate. Despite its demolition in the late 1860s to facilitate better connections from the Old Town to the railway station built at the time, an informative plaque remains, chronicling the history of this once majestic entrance.
Toompea, the historical upper town, was traditionally the residence of the local elite. Here, you'll find the 800-year-old Dome Cathedral and the ruler's castle, which currently hosts sessions of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu. A short stroll from the hotel will take you to a stairway ascending to Toompea.
Beside the hotel on Suur-Kloostri Street you’ll find the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Originating as a Catholic monastery church in medieval times, it evolved into a Lutheran military church in the 17th century and was later transformed into an Orthodox temple during the Russian rule. Today, the church hosts the Estonian Orthodox community, and its tower safeguards Tallinn's oldest bell, cast in the 16th century.
From 16th until the 19th century, earthen fortifications like Nunnavall extended beyond the city wall for protection, enveloping areas of today's hotel. One such embankment, Nunnavall, once ran through today’s hotel area. By the late 19th century, these were transformed into scenic parks such as Toompark and the Towers Square, both a stone's throw away.
At Nunne Boutique Hotel, you're not just staying at a hotel; you're stepping into Tallinn's rich past. Wander the streets of one of the best-preserved medieval Hanseatic cities and let old Tallinn’s tales surround you.
