The book ‘Refuge. Living in the shadow of Toom. The noblemen's palaces at Kiriku 2 and 4. Toompea through the centuries’ (written by art historian Juhan Maiste, designed by Peeter Laurits and edited by Kadri Asmer) was published to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia and of the National Audit Office on 18 February 2019. It describes Toompea as the heart of power in Tallinn through the centuries, its development, the prevailing mentality, the noblemen's city as a mental sanctuary, a sort of refuge in a changing world, as well as the complex of palaces on Toompea behind St Mary's Cathedral at Kiriku 2/4, which is where the National Audit Office of Estonia has resided since 2016. Among other things, the book talks about the properties of many famous and influential noble families – the Wrangels, the Buxhöwdens, the Staals, the Manteuffels, the Stackelbergs, the Rosens – and others on Toompea.

The book also has two appendices: one gives a thorough overview of the restoration of Kiriku 2 and 4 (written by architecture historian and heritage conservationist Henry Kuningas) and the other gives an overview of the different headquarters of the National Audit Office over the last 100 years (written by Toomas Mattson and Margit Kuusk).

The 368-page book is enriched with 353 photos and other illustrations, including 3D models of the Kiriku 2/4 complex. The book also includes a 30-page summary in English.

• Posted: 3/6/2019 3:54 PM
• Last Update: 3/7/2019 11:35 AM
• Last Review: 3/7/2019 11:35 AM