When you think of big city fires, the Great Fire of London in 1666 might be the first thing that comes to mind. But did you know that Tallinn had its own massive blaze? The Great Fire of Toompea, which tore through the heart of the city’s upper town on June 6, 1684, was one of the most catastrophic fires in Tallinn’s history. It didn’t just destroy buildings; it wiped out precious records and completely transformed the city’s landscape, leaving its mark in ways that are still visible today.
The Day Toompea Burned
The summer of 1684 was unusually dry, with weeks of scorching heat making Tallinn a tinderbox waiting for a spark. The threat of fire is terrifying enough today, but in medieval towns filled with wooden buildings an unchecked fire could wreak havoc. All it would take was one small flame to turn everything to ashes. And that’s exactly what happened.
On that fateful morning of June 6, the fire began in the house of Peter Brohmann, a stablemaster. A strong southerly wind carried the flames quickly across Toompea, and before anyone knew it, the fire was devouring everything in its path. Efforts to stop it were hopeless. The wells ran dry, and the wind shifted constantly, making it impossible to control the blaze.
In just a few hours, the fire had consumed much of Toompea, including the grand wooden tower of the cathedral. By the time the flames were finally tamed, the damage was staggering. Iconic buildings like the cathedral, its school, and the Estonian Knights’ House had been reduced to smouldering rubble. It’s the main reason why you don’t see any medieval buildings in Tallinn’s upper Old Town today, aside from Toompea Castle. The destruction was estimated at 300,000 silver thalers, an unimaginable amount of money back then.
Layout of Toompea before the 1684 fire (photo: Tallinn Linnaarhiiv)
Desperate Escapes and Tragic Fates
The fire caused panic among residents, many of whom were trapped due to the limited exits from Toompea. Some accounts describe people trying to escape by tying bedsheets together and climbing down the steep slopes. Others threw valuables from windows in a desperate attempt to save them. One of the most tragic incidents involved General Otto Wilhelm von Fersen. His wife and daughter managed to escape by being lowered down the city walls with ropes, but the general himself suffered severe injuries when his attempt to climb down resulted in a devastating fall.
Toompea’s History of Flames
Toompea was no stranger to fires. Historical records reveal that the upper town had suffered multiple devastating blazes before 1684. In 1433, Balthasar Russow’s chronicle recounts how nearly all of Tallinn, including the cathedral, churches, monasteries, and even gardens, was incinerated. Fires in 1553 and 1581 also destroyed significant portions of Toompea. This hilltop town had long struggled with fire safety.
Adding to the chaos of 1684, a separate fire had already broken out on 6th April of that year. The blaze destroyed three houses near the cathedral. Just ten days after the 6th June catastrophe, another fire ignited in the lower town, setting the Church of the Holy Spirit’s tower aflame. The frequency of these fires caused people to start getting suspicious. Tallinn was not the only Swedish-ruled city to suffer such curious blazes. Authorities ordered citizens to be on high alert. If there were arsonists, they must be found! Suspicious individuals were monitored and all households were required to keep firefighting equipment readily available.
Summary of the Toompea fire of June 6, 1684, by the secretary of the consistory, Samuel Gottschildt
Lost History and Lasting Changes
The cathedral was among the first structures to be restored, funded by special collections and emergency taxes. However, the destruction of archives and records left an irreplaceable gap in Tallinn’s historical record. Many valuable church documents were lost in the chaos. Some were reportedly buried hastily in an attempt to save them, but they were never recovered. The city’s leaders petitioned King Charles XI of Sweden for funds to rebuild, and restoration efforts stretched on for years.
Authorities also imposed strict new fire prevention measures. Residents of Toompea and surrounding areas were required to equip their homes with ladders, fire hooks, hand sprayers, and leather buckets. Water jugs had to be kept filled at all times. Moreover, wooden construction on Toompea was permanently banned, leading to the stone-built character that the area retains today.
A Forgotten Fire?
Despite its scale, the Great Fire of Toompea is often overlooked in discussions of historic urban fires. Tallinn’s fiery past remains a lesser-known chapter in European history. Yet, the fire of 1684 reshaped the city in ways that can still be seen today, from its stone architecture to its stringent fire safety policies.
Walking through Toompea today, it’s easy to forget that this picturesque hilltop once witnessed such devastation. But behind its elegant facades and medieval charm lies a tale of destruction, resilience, and rebirth: a story worth remembering.
