Short Leg Gate

The Short Leg Gate is the only surviving gate of the 8 gates of the Tallinn City Walls. It was originally built in mid-15th century. Once it set the boundaries of the Upper and Lower town. There was an enmity between Toompea and Tallinn lower town and the Short Leg Gate used to get locked every night. On May 15, 1248 King Erik IV of Denmark grantined Lübeck rights to Tallinn. Lübeck Rights bound Tallinn to common legal space with medieval German merchant towns. With that Tallinn also joined the Hanseatic League. In 2002 the annual Tallinn Day started. It marks the granting of rights. The Tallinn Day opens with the traditional meet-up of Tallinn Mayor and Prime Minister at the Short Leg gates. Per tradition the Prime Minister arrives at the gate knocking on its wooden door, to be answered by the Mayor of Tallinn, who then gives the Prime Minister an overview of what is happening in the capital. The symbolic meeting reminds us that the enmity no longer exists and this gate is now open all the time.