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Old Thomas

Old Thomas is one of the symbols and guardians of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It is a weather vane in the form of an old warrior, first placed on top of the spire of Tallinn Town Hall in 1530. According to legend, the model was a peasant boy who became town guard for life after excelling in crossbow contests. Local tradition says he gave candy to children in the Town Square and later watched over them from the spire. The original figure was damaged in the March bombardment of 1944. A replacement was installed in 1952, and a third version was placed on the renovated spire in 1996. The original is kept in the Town Hall, and the 1952 figure is displayed at the Tallinn City Museum.

Old Thomas statue in armor with a wide-brimmed hat, mustache, sword, and long pole-like weapon.
Old Thomas, the weather vane figure from Tallinn Town Hall, shown with his armor, hat, and sword.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Old Thomas weather vane figure in armor with a wide-brimmed hat, mustache, staff, and sword.
Old Thomas, the weather vane figure of Tallinn, shown as a metal armored man with a staff and sword.
October 2013 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Old Thomas statue of a man in armor with a wide-brimmed hat, mustache, spear, and sword
Old Thomas, shown as an armored figure with a hat, spear, and sword.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Old Thomas weather vane overlooking Tallinn’s old town skyline at dawn
Old Thomas stands above Tallinn’s historic skyline in the early morning haze.
May 2021 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Old Thomas weathervane above Tallinn’s skyline with historic rooftops and modern buildings in the distance.
Old Thomas overlooks Tallinn’s old town and city skyline from atop a golden spire.
October 2015 © · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitleOld Thomas
Alternative namesVana Toomas; Der Alte Thomas; Stary Toomas
TypeWeather vane figure

Historical context

Legendary modelToomas, a peasant boy from the countryside
Date created1530
Legendary rewardLifetime job as city guard
Earliest known mention of the legend1881 in the German-language Revelsky Calendar
Legendary originBased on a legend about a medieval Tallinn archery contest near the Great Sea Gate and the "Parrot Garden"
First documented mention sourceThe city council's account book
First documented mention1530

Creator

1952 copy makersSalme Raunam, Liidia Elken, and metalworker Elmar Eigo
1996 replacement designerArchitect Teddy Böckler
Gilding byJochim Meler

Discovery and provenance

Replacement of earlier objectIt replaced an older weather vane on the town hall tower, for which no records survive

Physical characteristics

Depicted figureAn old Estonian warrior or city soldier, also described as a guard or landsknecht
AppearanceWide-brimmed hat, moustache, armor, legs apart, holding a curved flag, with a long sword tucked into the belt

Materials

MaterialCopper
FinishGilded

Location and ownership

1952 copy locationExhibited in the Tallinn City Museum
Original installation locationTop of the spire of Tallinn Town Hall tower, Tallinn, Estonia
Current installation locationTop of the spire of Tallinn Town Hall tower, Tallinn, Estonia
Original figure locationKept in the cellar of Tallinn Town Hall

History and restoration

Installed1530
DamagedHit and burned in the Soviet air raid on Tallinn on 9 March 1944
ReconstructedThe tower spire was reconstructed after the 1944 fire
1952 replacement installedA copy of Old Thomas was installed on the tower spire in 1952
1996 replacement installedA new figure of Old Thomas was installed on 25 July 1996
Protective housingEnclosed in a glass bell

Iconography and meaning

Legendary relationshipThe figure is said to commemorate Toomas, who later showed heroism in the Livonian War
Symbolic roleOne of the symbols and guardians of Tallinn and one of the landmarks of the Estonian capital
Interpretation of figureResembles the aged Toomas, the legendary youth
Civic meaningContinues to watch over Tallinn and its citizens

Significance

Cultural roleA popular figure of sympathy and a mascot of Tallinn's historic old town
Commercial useA popular motif for Tallinn souvenirs; used in names of cafés, bars, an ice cream flavor, and other products
Literary and film appearancesInspired Gert Helbemäe's 1944 children's novel Vana Toomas and appeared in the 1970 Soviet-Estonian musical film Varastati Vana Toomas, where Kaljo Kiisk portrayed him

Other

Legendary folkloreAccording to local legend, he gave candy and sweets to children and parents told children he was watching their behavior and would leave sweets under their pillow for good behavior
Associated death legendAfter his death, children were said to ask 'Where is Old Thomas?'