115. Regional Travel #2.3 - Tallinn's churches
Tallinn has more than its share of churches in the Old Town - at least 17 that I can see on a map. We passed by many of them and a few that we were curious about were closed to visitors, but we managed to explore four of them:
1) St. Mary's Cathedral (Toomkirik)
This was perhaps my favorite church in Tallinn. It is located atop Toompea hill, and is the oldest church in Tallinn. It has been in this spot since the early 13th century; the current building dates to the 1300s, and the tower to the 1770s. The 69-meter tower provided excellent views of the city in three directions from the viewing platform. The church features some unusual decorations: several dozen coats of arms of prominent German families who were members of the congregation from the 17th-20th centuries. This church still serves as the home for an active congregation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia (EELC).
2) Holy Spirit Church (Pühavaimu kirik)
The Holy Spirit church is just outside of the Town Hall square. It was built in the 14th century, so it also ranks among the oldest buildings in the city. The prominent exterior clock in the wall near the entrance dates to the late 17th century. Inside, the altar is from the 15th century and the pulpit from the late 16th century. Just like St. Mary's Cathedral, it serves a Lutheran congregation, but whereas that church was home to noble German families, this one was used primarily by common residents of Tallinn. A book published by its pastor in 1535 is considered to be the first book published in the Estonian language.
3) St. Olaf's Church (Oleviste kogudus)
This church is at the northern end of Old Town and is the largest medieval building in the city. It was founded for merchants and craftsmen, and the congregation did not include many Estonians in the early years (they were probably all at the Holy Spirit Church). The building includes a tall tower, but as we had already viewed the city from atop Toompea as well as the St. Mary's tower, we opted not to ascend this one.
4) Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This church occupies a prominent position atop Toompea Hill, but unlike the other churches it does not date to Tallinn's medieval period. It was built in 1900, when Estonia was part of the Russian empire. It is still an active Russian Orthodox church and was full of both tourists and worshipers while we were there. So, I did not take any pictures of the interior.
1) St. Mary's Cathedral (Toomkirik)
This was perhaps my favorite church in Tallinn. It is located atop Toompea hill, and is the oldest church in Tallinn. It has been in this spot since the early 13th century; the current building dates to the 1300s, and the tower to the 1770s. The 69-meter tower provided excellent views of the city in three directions from the viewing platform. The church features some unusual decorations: several dozen coats of arms of prominent German families who were members of the congregation from the 17th-20th centuries. This church still serves as the home for an active congregation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia (EELC).
2) Holy Spirit Church (Pühavaimu kirik)
The Holy Spirit church is just outside of the Town Hall square. It was built in the 14th century, so it also ranks among the oldest buildings in the city. The prominent exterior clock in the wall near the entrance dates to the late 17th century. Inside, the altar is from the 15th century and the pulpit from the late 16th century. Just like St. Mary's Cathedral, it serves a Lutheran congregation, but whereas that church was home to noble German families, this one was used primarily by common residents of Tallinn. A book published by its pastor in 1535 is considered to be the first book published in the Estonian language.
3) St. Olaf's Church (Oleviste kogudus)
This church is at the northern end of Old Town and is the largest medieval building in the city. It was founded for merchants and craftsmen, and the congregation did not include many Estonians in the early years (they were probably all at the Holy Spirit Church). The building includes a tall tower, but as we had already viewed the city from atop Toompea as well as the St. Mary's tower, we opted not to ascend this one.
4) Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This church occupies a prominent position atop Toompea Hill, but unlike the other churches it does not date to Tallinn's medieval period. It was built in 1900, when Estonia was part of the Russian empire. It is still an active Russian Orthodox church and was full of both tourists and worshipers while we were there. So, I did not take any pictures of the interior.
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