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Kiek in de Kok - Talliinn, Estonia

Kiek in de Kok - Talliinn, Estonia

December 2018 · 3 min read · Tallinn


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Kiek in de Kok would be high on my list of recommendations for any trip to Tallinn. The ancient tower houses a museum on many floor levels as you twist up ancient stairwells. Literally translated as "peek in the kitchen," it was a tower situated so close to the houses of Tallinn that it was said the soldiers could see into your kitchen.

Admission to Kiek in de Kok runs around seven dollars (US) and does not include admission to the nearby underground tunnels. However, the tunnel tour begins on the first floor of this museum. The Museum hours are:

From January 1,2019 Tue-Wed 10.00-17.00, Thu 10.00-20.00, Fri- Sun 10.00-17.00

The museum is closed on Mondays. This tour is free with the Tallincard. Just be aware that most museums in Tallin are closed either on Monday or Tuesday, and sometimes on both days.

Kiek in de Kok is located at 2 Komandandi. The structure is easily visible from the street. It is located halfway between Freedom Plaza and the Parliament Building on the Southern end of Old Town Tallinn. It is in the area known as Toompea if you need to ask directions.


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The museum itself traces the military history of Tallinn between the 13th and 18th century. Each floor is filled with exhibits from ancient cannons to amazing arrow harpoons that worked like a firing pin. Many aspects of the towns defenses are covered, to include the affects of disease on the town. The narrow stone stairways circle the exterior of the building and lead to several levels that house unique exhibits. The center of each floor has a glass circle that allows visitors to view down to the lowest level with each floor they ascend.

The top floor of Kiek in de Kok houses a cafe. My wife and I stopped for a few minutes and enjoyed a cold drink at one of the small tables situated on this floor. From this level, visitors can view Tallinn from several perspectives from the large windows (which may have been added after the fact). The center of the room houses an incredibly large clock designed like a giant cannonball. To read the time, you pretty much have to circle the entire globe to see the numbers. It is an interesting and appropriate timekeeping device. The pictures I took through the windows of this level turned out nicely, however, I have been unable to locate the SD drive they were on.

Kiek in de Kok has narrow stone stairwells that may be difficult for some people to navigate. This museum is not handicap accessible. The museum contains rich interactive exhibits along with a variety of models, actual artifacts and literature to help visitors with a self-guided tour. Museum personnel are on hand in the event you want to learn more information on a particular subject. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable (and spoke English), the museum held my interest, and to top it all off...it was located within a medieval tower. What more could you ask for? It was well worth the seven dollar admission I did not pay (because I had the Tallincard).

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Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.

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