Streetsign reading "Tallinn Streets dot com" Header

Work in progress

A pile of ro ad signs half-trashed and piled up on a building-site, to indicate the site is in construction.

Website under construction, a couple of entries still pending, no photos with the streets yet, layout not finalized...

This started with a book (last few pages under review) and so far 1889 of the 1891 articles entered, 1 or 2 links may go nowhere.

Logo of the Tallinn Children's Hospital Foundation

The Book

All author earnings of A Rambling Dictionary of Tallinn Street Names to be donated to the foundation or donate here.

If anyone could help or advise as to the legal mechanism, it would be appreciated, thanks!

The Website

Not intended at the beginning, the present website is taking on a life of its own, with plans for relevant discussion forums, picture galleries and, over time, more non-streetname entries.

In theory, it will be funded by advertising relevant to people in Tallinn, to be determined.

A percentage of profits (also to be determined) to be donated to the foundation. 

Contact

Photograph of Simon Hamilton in Pikk street, Tallinn.

Apparently, a company that uses its owner's name is considered more trustworthy because they put themselves on the line.

This is me, in Tallinn this spring (2025), on a 3-month spree to check details, take photos (about 12K), explore (ave. 15K/day), and so on. I think I covered every street in Kesklinn (apart from Mõigu), most of Põhja-Tallinn and some Kristiine.

For information, please contact Simon at this address dot com, thanks!

Home

Luku (Lukk)

Lock. Interestingly, the expression ‘keep under lock and key’ is luku ja riivi taga hoidma, or ‘keep under lock and latch’, far more belt and braces. And given this street leads directly (well, around the corner) to Võtme it should come as no surprise!... Street created (?) in 2013 and currently (2025) under redevelopment.

Lutheri (Luther)

After the nearby Luther’s Furniture and Veneer Factory (A. M. Lutheri vabrik or just Lutheri vabrik) founded by Alexander Martin Luther in 1880, first of a line of innovative plywood furniture manufacturers. Check out the façade at Vana-Lõuna 37. NB: Streets called Lutheri (or similar) come in 3 varieties: 1) this one; and former iterations of 2. Lastekodu (but different Luther); and 3. Wiedemanni F.J. (AML).

Magasini (Magasin)

Storehouse, warehouse, named after the military stores then at the end of the street towards Tehnika, which now seem to be occupied by an Estonian defence agency. The street has gone through various phases. At some time in the 1920s, a government shelter for ex-cons eventually devolved into a dshungl (jungle) of tarpaulin tenements that shocked the city’s good citizens for the squalid life and sexuality of its its thugs and drunken women they certainly didn’t go there to watch. There was a prisoner of war camp after WWII (1944-1949) and, at No.35, a prison, now on Võtme, closed for redevelopment. Spelled Magasiini in 1885 and Magasi in 1939. Renamed (1949-1990) as Tisleri A. during the Soviet occupation.

Naeri (Naeris)

Turnip. Another of a mini edible staples group. See also Oa.

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Advertise...

Your business, store or consultancy next to your street address and a percentage of your fee (to be determined) goes the the Children's Hospital fund.

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Post your favorite local photo and sponsor the foundation. Your entire sponsorship goes go the the Children's Hospital fund

Wanted!

Beautiful photos of your street or Tallinn! Send them in! No remuneration planned for now, but will be attributed according to your preferences.