Tour of the Battery Sea Fortress, a captivating landmark (in Russian)

This tour programme by the Estonian Centre for Architecture lets you see one of the architectural gems with a fascinating history, before major construction work closes it. Exclusive tours open the heavy doors and winding corridors of Kalarand Fort, places the public has never been able to enter.

The fort has gone by several names and served many functions. Under a city defence plan approved by Emperor Alexander I in 1820, fortification work began under Nicholas I, and construction of Kalarand Fort started in 1830. Its sea walls were about 2 metres thick, and on the three floors facing the sea there were 72 large and 18 smaller casemates.

By the middle of the 19th century the fort had lost its military importance and was turned into barracks that at times held several thousand soldiers. After the War of Independence Tallinn lacked prison places, so a prison was set up on the site of the fort and barracks. Locals quickly called it the Battery. The prison years hold the most vivid stories, which the guides share on the tour.

Today the complex and grounds are being developed by US Real Estate OÜ under the name Battery Sea Fortress. The aim is to turn the area into a new seaside heart of Tallinn, with commercial premises, flats, shops, street food and entertainment.

The tour lasts about 90 minutes and runs in Estonian and Russian. It is led by the best professional guides in Estonia. Custom tours in six languages to interesting places across Estonia: info@archtours.ee.