Iru's old woman of stone

Before a bridge crossed the Pirita river, travellers heading into Tallinn passed Iru hill, an ancient stronghold on the high bank. Near it stood a stone known as Iru ämm, the old woman of Iru. The legend says she was Linda, Kalevipoeg's mother, who fled from a Finnish suitor named Tuuslar and turned to stone here when her strength gave out. People believed that to cross the river safely they had to leave an offering at the stone and plait a braid; those who did not met misfortune. In later tellings the custom turned into a prank on first-time visitors to town, who were teased at the stone and had to pay for drinks at the Iru inn. Iru hillfort still rises above the river valley.