Tallinn City Archives restores historic goods hoist

A historic freight hoist has been restored and returned to working order in the attic of the Tallinn City Archives building on Tolli tänav, in the Old Town of Estonia's capital. It is believed to be the only functioning historic hoist of its kind in Tallinn.

The mechanism's wheel is 3.4 meters in diameter. In the Middle Ages, almost every building in the city had such a device, since storage areas were located on the second and third floors, explained Juhan Kreem, a researcher at the Tallinn City Archives. He noted that every medieval building required a hoisting mechanism in its attic.

Origins of the mechanism

Kreem said the example kept at the archives is considerably more recent. The building lay in ruins in the 17th century and was not renovated until the 18th century, when it was converted into a warehouse for the customs authorities. The customs officials again needed a hoisting mechanism, so they began assembling one from various components. The oldest of these may have come from a shipwreck or from leftover materials at the harbor.

The freight hoist preserved at the archives dates to the 19th century, and its lifting rope is 34.5 meters long.

Access for visitors

Reconstruction work carried out in 2025 improved access to the historic mechanism. This will make it possible in future to show visitors how it works and to hold lifting demonstrations.