Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, boasts a rich and diverse history that spans many centuries. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area where Tallinn stands today has been inhabited since around 5,000 years ago. The first recorded mention of Tallinn dates back to 1154 by the Arab cartographer al-Idrisi, who referred to it as "Qlwn."

In 1219, the Danish King Valdemar II conquered Tallinn. The city’s name, derived from the Estonian words "Taani linn" (Danish town), reflects this period. Tallinn received Lübeck city rights in 1248, establishing it as an important trading hub in the Hanseatic League, a powerful medieval commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns. In 1346, the Danes sold Tallinn to the Teutonic Order, under which the city continued to prosper as a key trade centre. In 1561, during the Livonian War, Tallinn came under Swedish control. This period is often considered a golden age for the city, marked by growth in trade and culture.

Following the Great Northern War, Tallinn, along with the rest of Estonia, was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1710. The city became an important port and administrative center in the Baltic region under Russian rule. After the collapse of the Russian Empire, Estonia declared its independence in 1918, with Tallinn as its capital. The city experienced significant growth and modernization during the interwar period.