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Old Thomas (Estonian: Vana Toomas) is one of the symbols and guardians of Tallinn (Reval), the capital of Estonia. A weather vane, the figure of an old warrior called Old Thomas was put on top of the spire of Tallinn Town Hall in 1530.

According to the legend, the model for the weather vane was a peasant boy from the countryside who excelled at the springtime contests involving firing crossbow bolts at a painted wooden parrot on top of a pole, organized by, and for, Tallinn's wealthy citizenry. Unable to receive a prize because of his low-born status, Thomas was rewarded with the job of town guard for life.

All his life, Thomas gave candy to the children in the Town Square, according to local legend. When he died, the children constantly asked, "Where is Old Thomas?", which led to uncomfortable answers about the nature of death. Once the weather vane was erected over the town square, parents would tell the children that Old Thomas was watching how they behave and would leave candy under their pillow for good behavior.

Immortalized in copper, Thomas continues to watch over Tallinn and its citizens. In 1944, Old Thomas was hit during the March bombardment. The burnt spire was reconstructed and a new copy of Old Thomas erected in 1952. In 1996 the spire was renovated and the third Old Thomas figure was put on it to guard Tallinn. The original weather vane is kept in the Town Hall. The one erected in 1952 is shown at the Tallinn City Museum.

References

1. Scandinavian Europe by Paul Harding, Mark Elliott, p. 219
2. The Rough Guide to the Baltic States by Jonathan Bousfield, p. 309
3. Old Thomas at www.tallinn.ee

v t e Tallinn landmarks
Buildings and structures	Toompea Castle Town Hall Old Thomas Kiek in de Kök St Mary's Cathedral St. Olaf's church St. Nicholas Church Church of the Holy Ghost Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Saint Catherine's Monastery Town Hall Pharmacy Great Guild Pikk Hermann tower Knighthood House Stenbock House Kadriorg Palace Presidential Palace Pirita Monastery Glehn Castle (Tallinn Observatory) Maarjamäe Manor Maarjamäe Memorial TV Tower Linnahall Patarei Sea Fortress-Prison Independence War Victory Column Bronze Soldier Charles Leroux Monument Russalka Memorial Raekoja plats Freedom Square Walls of Tallinn House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads Tallinn Synagogue
Precincts	Historic Centre (Toompea Hill) Kadriorg Kalamaja
Nature and parks	Tallinn Zoo Tallinn Botanic Garden Lake Ülemiste Lake Harku Pirita River Aegna island Kadriorg Park Danish King's Garden Kanuti Garden Kuberneri Garden Komandandi Garden Toompark Hirvepark Harjumägi Lindamägi Tammsaare Park Police Garden Löwenruh Park Glehn Park Jüriöö Park Pae Park Lillepi Park Kakumäe Coastal Park Kopli cemetery Kalamaja cemetery Metsakalmistu
Beaches	Pirita Beach Stroomi Beach Kakumäe Beach Harku Beach Pikakari Beach
Culture	Museums and galleries Kumu (Art Museum of Estonia main branch) Mikkel Museum Estonian Open Air Museum (Kolu kõrts) Estonian Maritime Museum (Seaplane Harbour) Estonian Firefighting Museum Estonian History Museum Estonian Museum of Natural History Estonian Health Museum Estonian Theatre and Music Museum Museum of Estonian Architecture Museum of Occupations Theatres Estonia Theatre Estonian Drama Theatre Theatre NO99 Russian Theatre Estonian Puppet Theatre Tallinn City Theatre Von Krahl Theatre Other National Library of Estonia Song Festival Grounds Culture Factory Polymer
Science and education	Tallinn University Tallinn University of Technology Estonian Academy of Arts Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Estonian Academy of Security Sciences Estonian Maritime Academy Tallinn University of Applied Sciences Estonian Business School Estonian Academy of Sciences
Sports	Pirita Yachting Centre A. Le Coq Arena Kadriorg Stadium Kalevi Keskstaadion Unibet Arena Kalev Sports Hall Tondiraba Ice Hall Pirita Velodrome Mustamäe Ski Jumping Hill Tallinn Hippodrome Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit
Transportation	Port of Tallinn Old City Harbour Paljassaare Harbour Bekker Port Tallinn Airport Tallinn Baltic Station Tallinn bus station Tallinna Linnatranspordi AS
Events	Estonian Song Festival Estonian Dance Festival Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival Tallinn Old Town Days Tallinn Marathon Tallinn Music Week Tallinn Christmas Market Õllesummer Tallinn Legends

59°26′13″N 24°44′43″E / 59.4369°N 24.7453°E / 59.4369; 24.7453

• 16th-century establishments in Estonia
• Buildings and structures in Tallinn
• Culture in Tallinn
• Tallinn Old Town