Toompea is the limestone hill that rises above the lower Old Town and has been the seat of power in Tallinn since the first fortifications were built here by the Danes in the 13th century. Today it holds the Estonian parliament (Riigikogu), the Toompea Castle, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Dome Church, and several viewing terraces that look out over the red rooftops below.
The two main viewpoints — Kohtuotsa and Patkuli — are among the most visited spots in Estonia, both giving panoramic views over the Old Town towards the port and the sea beyond. The upper town is quieter and less commercial than the lower Old Town, and the walk up via Pikk jalg or the more picturesque Lühike jalg (the Short Leg) is part of the pleasure. In the evenings, when the tourist day-trippers have left, Toompea has a genuine quiet that the streets below rarely achieve.