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Viru Gate

Tallinn, Italy

Viru Gate

The gatehouse of the Viru Gate was a defensive structure built in the 14th century as part of the Tallinn city wall, associated with the Viru Gate. Two watchtowers of this structure remain, which are often mistaken for remnants of the original Viru Gate destroyed in the 19th century during city expa

nsion. The surviving watchtowers of the Viru Gate are located in Tallinn Old Town at the intersection of Viru Street, Vana-Viru Street, and Valli Street in the Old Town district. The original name of the Viru Gate, or Savivärav (German: Lehmporte), originated from large clay pits that existed in the area known as Viru Square. From the fortress gate of Vana-Viru Street, it was possible to access the road leading towards Narva along the eastern side of the city wall. This gate was also known as the Narva Gate. The Vana-Viru fortress gate was demolished in 1842, but a side post of the gate remains next to building no. 10 on Vana-Viru Street. The surviving watchtowers of the Viru Gate gatehouse are registered as a trademark of Tallinn under the name "Viru Gate."

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