House of the Blackheads image

House of the Blackheads

Tourist attraction Historical landmark

Former merchant guildhall, now a venue for classical & jazz concerts in its grand ballrooms. People often mention building, Riga, tour, concert,


Address

Pikk 26, 10133 Tallinn, Estonia

Website

www.filharmoonia.ee

Contact

+372 631 3199

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (716 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: building (10) Riga (6) tour (6) concert (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 david h. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful building with more than likely the most colourful ornate door I’ve ever seen. Simply stunning!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Swati M. 10 months ago on Google
    Beautiful building and attractive door.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Marcin T. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice spot to walk by. Interesting historical curiosity for Polish people: On the wall of the building there is an original sculpture portrait of the Polish-Lithuanian king Zygmunt III Waza from 1590s.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Silviu S. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful rooms, perfect lightning. Nice history presentation. It's a mist see when you are in Riga

  • 2/5 juniper p. 1 year ago on Google
    The most famous building in Riga, interesting story behind it but not something special. But I guess since the options for historical sightseeing in Riga is limited, it's a must. We visited the house of the Blackheads on the last Sunday of January and there was a free guided tour provided. The tour guide, Christine, was a bit bossy. First thing she did was to warn us abruptly as if we are schools students that there are other tours after ours and that we shouldn't delay her by taking pictures during the tour. We would have time after the tour to do so. A very logical favour to ask but she could have been more polite. No reason to raise her voice volume and move her hands angrily. Moreover she criticized the group as a whole (approximately 50 people) for visiting Riga and not even knowing how to say "hi" in her language. Characteristically she stated "It's not that hard for you to learn. Repeat after me "Sveiki"". With what right? As if she knew each one of us separately and whether or not we knew some basic latvian. Instead of making such a big deal of whether or not we can salute in latvian, she could criticize Latvians for having souvenir shops in a touristic area and not being able to communicate in simple english nor have the manners to smile and be friendly. She also said that if Latvians are in a good mood, they will respond to our "Sveiki". So, Latvians are allowed to be rude but if we can't say "sveiki" we are bad tourists? Something inaccurate I noticed during the tour was that she showed us some statues and paintings which, according to her, were influenced by Roman mythology. Venus, Neptune. How can one call themselves "tour guide" and not knowing that there is no roman mythology? Roman mythology is a clear copy-paste of ancient greek mythology.

  • 5/5 Tanya H. 1 year ago on Google
    Bachfest. Another great beginning of the year, music makes everything better. This place was perfect for the concert, it was warm and comfortable.

  • 5/5 MIHKEL K. 1 year ago on Google
    Looks amazing on the inside, make sure there is an event when you visit.

  • 5/5 Oksana S. 1 year ago on Google
    Old building full of history. They have a nice recital hall.

  • 5/5 Nikos G. 1 year ago on Google
    This 15th-century House of the Blackheads served as the congregation place of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, an association of unmarried merchants and shipowners. The building’s unusual name comes from St. Maurice, the organization’s patron saint, a dark-skinned Moor whose image can be seen on the front door of the building. Although it’s not as beautiful as its more famous namesake in Riga, I really like the building’s Renaissance facade with its elaborate stone portal and ornately decorated door. Unlike in Riga, however, the Tallinn Blackheads also served a military purpose and proved themselves as redoubtable adversaries during the Livonian Wars. The Brotherhood survived until the Soviet invasion in 1940, and today the House of Blackheads serves as a venue for regular chamber concerts.

  • 4/5 Nikolas B. 4 years ago on Google
    This beautiful building is the home of Tallinn philarmonic orchestraand is used as a concert hall. But when there is no concert taking place, there is not much to see except from its impressive facade and the great, medieval main entrance door. Visiting the interior won't last more than 5 minutes as you are only allowed to see 2 empty halls.

  • 4/5 Mazaher K. 5 years ago on Google
    The best place for Gala dinner in Tallinn.

  • 5/5 Henri T. 7 years ago on Google
    A beautiful venue in the medieval part of Tallinn with 3 concert halls that can also be used for theatrical appearances as well as other festive events. The schedule is very busy and there are events all the year round.

  • 5/5 Mak S. 1 year ago on Google
    A Gala to remember.

  • 4/5 Julius P. 4 years ago on Google
    Would have loved to visit the house, but was unable to locate the entrance.

  • 5/5 Jo-Anne L. 5 years ago on Google
    Attended a very good classical concert after seeing a poster on the information board around old town. Excellent performance and for only €10. Good acoustics and lovely building with nice a atmosphere.

  • 5/5 Emma Amanda M. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful buliding so much rich charm and history

  • 4/5 P6hiV3nd 1 year ago on Google
    Nice concert hall but staff is not that friendly


Call +372 631 3199 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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