Glehn Castle

Nikolai von Glehn built this house on the Mustamäe escarpment in Nomme in 1886, a small castle of towers and battlements in no consistent style, and he founded the surrounding settlement that became the Nomme district of Tallinn. He was also an amateur sculptor, and the park holds his work: a large concrete figure of Kalevipoeg, the hero of the Estonian epic, standing on the slope, and a crocodile lying in the grass, along with a palm house and an observatory tower. The concrete has been repaired repeatedly. The building belongs to Tallinn University of Technology and access inside is limited, but the park is open and free.

History

Nikolai von Glehn designed the castle as his new residence on the northern part of his Jälgimäe Manor estate, and it was completed in 1886. He also designed the park around it with its buildings and figures: a palm house of 1900-1910, an observatory tower of 1910, and the sculptures of Kalevipoeg and the Crocodile, both from 1908. After Glehn left for Germany in 1918 the castle was looted and fell into decline; restoration began in the 1960s, and the renovated building was reopened on 24 March 1977 (Wikipedia, Glehn Castle).

What's there

• The castle - the turreted house on the escarpment.
• The Kalevipoeg figure - Glehn's concrete sculpture of the epic hero.
• The crocodile - the other well-known figure in the park.
• The park - the wooded grounds on the Mustamäe slope.

When to go

May to September for the park; it is open year round but pleasanter in leaf. The building is used by the university and interior access requires arrangement. Weekends bring local walkers.

Before you go

The interior is generally closed to casual visitors. The sculptures are concrete and repeatedly repaired rather than original surfaces. There is no interpretation in the park. It is a local curiosity rather than a major site.

Nearby

Nomme centre lies below; central Tallinn is northeast.

Key facts