Kiek in de Kök fortifications and Defence Museum, Tallinn
The Kiek in de Kök Museum is a museum located in Tallinn, Estonia, that showcases the history of the city's fortifications and the development of Tallinn's defence system over the centuries. The name "Kiek in de Kök" is a Low German phrase that roughly translates to "peep into the kitchen", which refers to the museum's location in a tower that was once used to watch over the kitchens of nearby houses.
The museum consists of several parts, including the Bastion Passages, which are a series of underground tunnels that were used for military purposes throughout history, and the Kiek in de Kök Tower, which is a well-preserved fortification tower that dates back to the 15th century. Visitors to the museum can explore the tower and its exhibits, which include artifacts from the city's military history, as well as learn about the various defences that were used to protect Tallinn from invaders over the centuries.
In addition to its military history exhibits, the Kiek in de Kök Museum also features a collection of historical photographs of Tallinn and its residents, as well as temporary exhibitions that showcase various aspects of Estonian culture and history. The museum is a popular destination for tourists visiting Tallinn and is a great place to learn more about the city's fascinating history.
You might also like to read:
Attending the Robotex International Robotics Festival, held at Tallinn’s Unibet Arena, this year was a fun experience, packed with groundbreaking technology, cool competitions and inspiring ideas!
When we visited the Amox Rex museum, the main exhibition was from Larissa Sansour, a prominent Palestinian-Danish artist whose multidisciplinary work explores themes of identity, memory, and the intersection of politics and culture.
Patarei Prison (‘The Battery’ in English), located in Tallinn, Estonia, is a chilling and historically significant site that reflects the nation’s turbulent history, that we had a chance to tour in winter 2024.
From November 19 to 21, 2024, the Messe Bremen in Germany hosted the SpaceTech Expo Europe, the continent’s largest trade fair dedicated to space technology.
Located in the heart of the city, the MO Museum in Vilnius is a prominent cultural landmark dedicated to modern and contemporary art that’s definitely worth visiting if you’re in the city!
The Belvedere Palace and Gardens in Vienna are a stunning example of Baroque architecture and landscape design, and they play a significant role in the city’s cultural and historical heritage. The complex consists of two magnificent palaces—Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere—connected by a vast, meticulously designed garden.
After hearing about a ghostly relic from the last century, we decided to travel to the furthest reaches of Europe to visit a decaying but fascinating former factory located on an island next to the Russian border.
Prague Castle stands as the centrepiece of Prague’s skyline, a majestic complex that embodies centuries of Czech history and architectural splendour.
Often compared to Montmartre in Paris or Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen, Užupis is known for its bohemian spirit, artistic community, and independent character. The district is situated just across the Vilnia River, which separates it from the historic Old Town of Vilnius, making it both central and slightly secluded.
The Universum, located in Bremen, Germany, is a highly interactive science museum that combines learning with highly interactive entertainment – a combination we loved!
Known for its striking architectural design—resembling a metallic whale or a futuristic clam shell (see below)—it captivated us before we even stepped inside.
Shepard Fairey's Photo Synthesis exhibition at Fotografiska Tallinn is a wonderful, intricate and impactful exploration of his artistic journey, running until March 2025.
Despite not featuring a single Banksy original, we were excited to visit an unauthorised Banksy exhibition that’s been touring around Europe since 2021.
The Palace of Culture and Science, known as Pałac Kultury i Nauki (PKiN) in Polish, is a prominent skyscraper in central Warsaw, and one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
The Ennuksemäe Forest Brothers’ bunker is a fascinating historical site located near Viljandi, Estonia. This bunker is significant as it represents the resistance efforts of the Forest Brothers, a group of Estonian partisans who fought against Soviet occupation after World War II.
The Cisterns in Copenhagen, hidden beneath Søndermarken Park, are a fascinating and eerie underground space with a rich history.
Originally constructed in 1856, these massive reservoirs were part of Copenhagen’s first water supply system, designed to store and deliver clean drinking water to the growing city.
Gediminas Tower, an iconic symbol of Vilnius, stands proudly atop Gediminas Hill, overlooking the city with a commanding presence. This historic tower is all that remains of the Upper Castle, which was part of a larger defensive complex built in the early 14th century by Grand Duke Gediminas, the founder of Vilnius.
Dinosaur bones, stunning statues, beautiful paintings, precious rocks, the National Museum in Prague is a fascinating place to absorb culture and history in a this unique part of Europe.
Having spent the last few years exploring Estonia in a tent with a bike, 2024 seemed like a good time to sample and document more of Estonia’s rich history particularly the ample manor houses and castles!
Kernu Manor, is located about 35 kilometres southwest of Tallinn, and a historical gem with a rich past that reflects the country’s aristocratic heritage.
A recent trip to Vienna gave an opportunity to visit the incredible Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, ÖNB), the largest and most significant library in Austria, renowned as one of the world’s premier research libraries!
Having an interest in Space and the science, it seemed silly not see one of Prague’s biggest attractions in both of these subjects, the astronomical tower found inside the Clementinum.
The Illusion Art Museum in Prague, also known as the Museum of Illusions, is a captivating attraction that combines art, science, and psychology to create mind-bending visual experiences.
Located some 25 kilometres from Rakvere, the Rohu rocket base was once a vital part of the Soviet nuclear rocket complex established during the 1960s, but now lies largely in ruins.
A trip to Prague in 2024 gave a unique opportunity to see one of the John Lennon memorial Walls (there are others in Hong Kong, Barcelona and Warsaw) - a significant cultural and political landmark - located in the Malá Strana district.
The sea mines factory on Naissaar island, located in the Gulf of Finland, approximately 8 kilometres northwest of Tallinn, is one of the island’s most intriguing historical military sites, reflecting its strategic military significance during the 20th century.
As the name suggests, it offers a unique and eclectic experience, blending modern amenities such (as a gym, bar, sauna etc) with playful, circus-inspired styling – giving it a real dose of personality.
A recent trip to explore and document Prague led us to the Astronomical Clock in Prague, a medieval astronomical clock located in the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic.
Wanting to explore more of eastern Europe travelled to Riga in Latvia, to see St. Peter's Church, a historic and architecturally significant building located in the heart of the Daugava River and the city's beautiful Old Town.
An experience drawn straight out of an Indiana Jones film, (or a Tomb Raider video game for us millennials), when we visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine, located near Kraków, one of the world's oldest operating salt mines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos (Paphos) in Cyprus stands as a pivotal site, encapsulating centuries of history and cultural richness. Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1980 underscores its significance as a treasure trove of ancient civilisation.
About the Author:
Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a strategic branding, design and communications company that works with clients all over the world.
He is a former Royal Marines Commando officer, former risk advisor to the BBC and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS).
Chris has travelled in over 60 countries, achieved his second Guinness World Record for an Atlantic Ocean rowing expedition, a Marathon des Sables finisher, and has worked with Hollywood actors, world–renowned musical artists and TV personalities.