Attractions & museums
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    Bastion passages in the Tallinn Old Town

    The bastion passages are part of the Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum.

    The mysterious passages in Tallinn’s earthwork fortifications were built along with the bastions in the 17th and 18th centuries to conceal the movement of soldiers, ammunition, and other equipment from the enemy. They were also used to monitor the enemy’s underground activities of planting mines. After the fortifications were removed from the list of military objects in 1857, parks were established on the Ingrian and Swedish bastions.

    Carved Stone Museum, located in the Ingrian bastion, can also be found in the bastion passages. The Museum presents the carved stone collection of the Tallinn City Museum.

    Individual visitors can use an audio guide in the bastion passages. We also offer guided tours.

    Free with Tallinn Card!

    During free Museum Sundays (07.07; 04.08; 01.09; 06.10; 03.11; 01.12) only the bastion passages with the Carved Stone Museum will be open. The Maiden Tower, the Stable Tower and the Gate Tower will be closed.

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    TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews

    TripAdvisor logo tripadvisor rating 4.2 of 5

    based on 1281 reviews

    • Nice combination of historical buildings and exhibitions.

      tripadvisor rating 4 of 5
      July 28, 2025 By Claire A

      Interesting museum set in four towers of the town wall. You walk along the walls between towers, and there are some interesting exhibitions as well as a cafe. The bastion passages are paid for... Read more comments

    • tripadvisor rating 5 of 5
      July 23, 2025 By S1936IZlynnh

      You can get some great pictures from the top of the tower and from the walkways between towers. When it comes to the tunnels, you need to read about them or have the audio guide so you understand... Read more comments

    • Very interesting

      tripadvisor rating 4 of 5
      July 19, 2025 By Olivia M

      Kiek in de Kök is a 15th-century artillery tower whose name loosely translates to “peek into the kitchen” (because soldiers could literally look down into people’s homes). The tower itself is... Read more comments