Author Description

This research has been going on for nearly fifty years. This book is the first of three, now to be published in English. Professor Emeritus Rein Zobel is the Grand Old Man of Estonian history of architecture. He has taught the majority of Estonian architects now active in the profession. <br><br> The book deals with the earliest history of the formation of Tallinn (Reval) on the historical-topographical background. The conquest of the town in 1219 by the King of Denmark Valdemar II, and the building of the castle of Lyndanise, I and II Danish castle, the castle of the Brotherhood of the Sword as well as the castle of the Livonian Order are discussed in more detail. <br><br> Special attention is paid to the fortifications of the town, built by the order of King Erik V and Dowager Queen Margrethe and improved at the order of King Erik VII. <br><br> The knowledge gathered in this book is important on two levels. Firstly, it explains the history of urban development of Tallinn in a fluent and comprehensive way. Secondly it describes a medieval city and its surroundings as a powerful case study, which will advance the theory of urban development in the region. <br><br> This English edition of Prof. Zobel s powerful excursion into the past of Tallinn is a worthwhile adventure for all those interested in architecture, history and urbanism.