Home Various building types could be encountered in Reval in the 14th century. The wealthy citizen lived in a dwelling that over the years developed into the high-gabled diele-dornse merchant’s house characteristic of Reval.

The stone, wood or half-timbered building with up to three floors was situated off the street. The living quarters were located above the basement burrowed into the soil, the upper floor accommodated the storage rooms. The house could be later added a hall extending to the street which developed into the diele – a spacious front hall with a high beam ceiling and large windows entered through the lancet-arched stone portal.