As a member of the Hanseatic League, Tallinn gained control of trade with the East by the so-called goods yard right. Fast development of trade and economic prosperity led to the need for new utility rooms in the Town Hall and its more dignified appearance. In 137174 the Town Hall acquired its full present-day length and ground floor volume. From that time the Town Hall has its oldest and rarest pieces of medieval woodcarving: benches in the Gothic style. The carved side posts of the bigger bench, featuring the story of Tristan and Isolde and Samson's fight with the lion, are some of the most beautiful examples of medieval art in Estonia. In 140204 the existing Town Hall was rebuilt into a two-storied building with festive halls, utility rooms and offices with the room layout defined by the foundations. A tower was put up at the east end
It was named after St. Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants and seafarers. After the big fire of 1433 the church was rebuilt with proper splendour. The spire dates from the 16th century. During the Reformation in 1524 many valuable works of art were distroyed in Tallinn. The locks on the doors of Niguliste Church had been poured full of melted lead, and so it was the only church where the masterpieces of the 14th and 15th century stonecarving, woodcarving and painting survived. Most of the relics were distroyed in the Soviet air-raid on March 9, 1944. The restoration took place from 1953 to 1984. Now the church is a concert hall and the Museum of Medieval Art. St Olaf's Church , a 3-nave Gothic basilica, was first mentioned in chronicles in 1267. It was known for its soaring spire, which also served as a lighthouse for ships, being probably one of the tallest buildings in the world at the time. The spire has been struck by lightning many times
The altar and the pulpit were made by the well- known 17th cent. master Christian Ackermann. He is also the author of the majority of the epitaph coats of arms in the church. St. Nicholas Church During the Reformation in 1524 many valuable works of art were destroyed in Tallinn. The locks on the doors of St. Nicholas Church had been poured full of molten lead and they could not be opened. Therefore it was the only church where masterpieces of the 14-15th century painting, woodcarving and stone-carving survived. The Church of the Holy Ghost There are 57 paintings on the wall of the gallery known as The Bible of the Poor. It starts with Adam in the Garden of Eden and end with the New Testament illustrations. The church had the oldest bell in Tallinn (until 2002). It had been joined to the clock at some time and the inscription on it read: I strike the right time for the maid and manservant, for the mistress and the master, and nobody can reproach me for that.
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