Top Things to do in Harju County
10 Historic Sites in Harju County That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Harju County, Estonia including St. Lawrence’s Stone, Toompea Hill, Convent of St. Bridget (Pirita Klooster), Town Hall Pharmacy, St. George Orthodox Church, St. Olaf’s Church, Tallinn Town Wall, Kumu Art Museum, Kiiu Vassal Stronghold, Tallinn Legends.
Restaurants in Harju County
1. St. Lawrence’s Stone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
In Kuusalu, just by Peterburi Road there lies a huge stone – St. Lawrence’s Stone or Path Stone. It is an ancient cult stone, but probably it also marked the border between Kuusalu Church and Kolga monastery. On the church side of the stone today you can see the image of the burning grate or the fire tongs and a cross cut into the stone as a symbol of St. Lawrence – according to a legend the martyr was tortured to death on a burning grate. On the Kolga side of the stone you can see the emblem of the monastery (two crossed abbot’s crosiers) cut into the stone. Interesting to know:- St. Lawrence was one of the most popular patron saints among old people
2. Toompea Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,510 reviews
An ancient 10th-century Estonian stronghold stood on this 170-foot-high limestone plateau, which was later divided into the Big and Small Fortress with its distinctive defense towers erected in the early 13th century.
Reviewed By mattontwowheels - Stirling, United Kingdom
It’s worth the climb along cobbled streets for the views across Tallinn to the sea and the perfectly maintained network of old buildings.
3. Convent of St. Bridget (Pirita Klooster)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 312 reviews
Reviewed By JulieF2978 - Helsinki, Finland
The Pirita convent in ruins is a nice building to be visited, specially if you're willing to see more of Tallinn than just the Old Town. Beautiful construction, and the surrounding neighborhood is also worth the visit. The forest cemetery is close by, and a beautiful place to enjoy the peace of nature.
4. Town Hall Pharmacy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 609 reviews
Reviewed By Mark_Dornoch - Dornoch, United Kingdom
The world's oldest continually working pharmacy - 600 years and counting. The counter area with the wooden cabinets and drawers reminded me of old British pharmacies I had experienced 50 years ago. Really interesting displays and exhibits through in the far room. Beautifully painted wooden ceiling too. Recommended
5. St. George Orthodox Church
6. St. Olaf’s Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,591 reviews
**This place is temporarily closed** Originally built in 1250 and considered the tallest building in Europe during the Middle Ages, this city landmark is now used by both Baptist and Methodist congregations.
Reviewed By discoveringdest - Montreal, Canada
St. Olaf’s church is a really beautiful church to visit, which is located just 7 minutes walking distance from the Old town Main Square, and it’s really nice to visit specially because you can climb the 123 meters high tower, with a narrow and kind of scared spiral staircase made in stones, that gives a little “adventure” feeling, but it’s totally worth when you get to the top and see the beautiful view from Tallinn old town city. We didn’t pay entrance fee to see the church, however if you decide to climb the staircase tower you need to pay a small fee, we paid 2 euros back in 2017. Eli: 5 / Serge: 5 Recommended: Yes, even if you decide to not climb the staircase Tower, it’s a beautiful 12th century church to visit. Tips: - Comfortable shoes are recommended, specially if you decide to climb the staircase tower; - If you are afraid of heights, do not start to climb the tower, it’s kind of scared. - Check on line the church open hours and if you prefer to visit without a tour guide, as we did, it’s always nice to read a little about the history of the church, even in Wikipedia.
7. Tallinn Town Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,144 reviews
Reviewed By Hawk470 - Baltimore, United States
Tallinn’s magnificent and well-preserved city walls and red tile-topped towers clearly demonstrate the medieval city’s strong fortifications. The walls have many sections and striking towers along the perimeter. Some sections allow you to climb and walk them for a small fee. As you look outward from the walls, you can see the new town and the harbor. Looking inward enables a rich visualization of medieval life with stone buildings, narrow, twisty streets, and shops lining the base in many places. The Helleman Tower offers many of the finest views and displays a history of the fortifications. Alongside the tower, you will find some large 14th-15th century tombstones with a key describing who they commemorate and when they lived. The Viru Gate, impressive even today, provides a lively entrance to the city. Beautiful day and night, it is particularly fun in the morning or evening when there are fewer visitors and the pace slows down.
8. Kumu Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,028 reviews
Reviewed By Daanelin
Enjoy modern architecture and well curated modern art exhibitions next to unique and beautiful Kadriorg Park area.
9. Kiiu Vassal Stronghold
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
It is located in Kiiu Manor Park. The central building in the mediaeval Kiiu Manor – the tower – was probably completed in the first quarter of the 16th century. It may be presumed that the construction work that was started during the time of Baron Fabian von Tiesenhausen who was the host of Kiiu for more than fifty years (1517–1566) was performed with the help of Kolga lay brothers before the liquidation of the local landed property in 1519 that used to belong to the Gotland Roma monastery. Thus the folk story does not call Kiiu a monk tower without purpose. The defensive structure that resembles the body of a windmill at a distance and which was brought to ruins in the interim years was restored under the leadership of art historian Villem Raam in 1974.
Reviewed By Reok94
Tasty & cheap coffee in an adorable tower, and a lovely owner that described the history of the tower for us, before letting us go on a little tour upstairs. The homemade food was so good we almost cleared the place out!
10. Tallinn Legends
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
Tallinn Legends is a tourist attraction in a form of theatrical and interactive museum in Tallinn, Estonia. The museum recreates historical events and legends that have contributed to the folklore of medieval Tallinn.
Reviewed By heidit304
The Tallinn Legends shows history of Tallinn in an elaborate way. It combines live actors, mannequins and tech and sound effects. Narration is mainly playback, so it always on point. Not advised to people with epilepsy as there are flashing lights. 5/5 Will go again with different friends.
