Freedom Square, Tallinn

The great civic space of modern Tallinn, Freedom Square is a broad open plaza at the southern edge of the old town, dedicated to the memory of Estonia's struggle for independence. Where the medieval Town Hall Square speaks of the Hanseatic past, Freedom Square is the stage for national ceremony and public gatherings in the contemporary capital.

The square sits just outside the medieval walls, near the Harju Gate whose excavated remains can be seen at one edge, alongside a stretch of the old town wall and a tower. For much of the twentieth century it served as a parade ground and gathering point under various regimes, and it was comprehensively rebuilt and pedestrianised in 2009 to give the city a dignified open forum.

Its dominant feature is the Victory Column, a tall glass-clad monument topped by the Cross of Liberty, raised to commemorate those who fell in the Estonian War of Independence of 1918 to 1920. Illuminated at night, the column is a striking modern landmark that anchors the square and underlines its role as a place of remembrance and celebration, from independence day events to concerts and demonstrations.

For visitors the square is a free and open space that links the old town with the newer city centre and the green Harjumägi hill above. From here it is a short walk up to the churches and viewpoints of Toompea, or down into the medieval lanes toward the Town Hall Square. The nearby St John's Church and the wall towers add historic texture. The square itself is flat, spacious and fully accessible, and it makes a logical transition point between the historic core and the modern districts, especially striking after dark when the Victory Column glows above the pavement.