Address: Laitn, 50, Tallinn. Phone: +372 641 2241.
Opening hours: daily.
Entrance fee: For adults - 2€. For children - 1€.
A spire is visible from the Baltic from afar St Olaf's Church, also called Oleviste, one of the pearls of old Tallinn. From 1549 to 1625 it was called the tallest building in European countries. Even today, the spire at 124m makes one admire the talent of medieval architects and builders. But in past centuries, its height reached almost 160 meters. An excellent landmark for travelers and seafarers, the tower attracted lightning. They hit her at least 8 times, and three times it ended in serious fires. Old records speak of how terrible they were. They say that the red glow was visible even from the Finnish coast.
Although over the past centuries the buildings were built much higher, but the Oleviste Church left its place in the world's twenty tallest places of worship peace. And in Tallinn, it is second only to the TV tower.
In Estonia, they know how to value and cherish their history - according to the decree of the city authorities, the construction of buildings higher than 120m in the central part of the capital is prohibited.
Legends of old Tallinn
WITH St Olaf's Church associated with several traditions and legends. One of them tells about the construction of an ancient temple.
long time inhabitants Tallinn dreamed of erecting a big churches. So high that merchant sailors could see the top of the spire miles from land. But for a long time it was not possible to find the masters, until a stranger appeared who agreed to build such a temple. But the price of the new master was high - the city did not have ten barrels full of gold coins. Then the architect offered an unusual deal - he is ready to erect a building and not even take a penny for work. If the townspeople know his name by the day the construction is completed. And if they can’t, then let them collect gold.
So the construction is almost completed, and no one knew the name of the mysterious master. The Tallinners had to resort to a trick - to send a scout to the stranger's house. For a long time the city dweller sat under the windows, but nevertheless he heard how his wife, consoling the child with a song, did not name his father - Olev.
In the morning, the inhabitants gathered to see how the master would attach the cross to the tip of the spire. And someone from the crowd called out to the builder: "Master Olev! The cross is completely tilted!" Realizing that he had lost, the enraged master could not resist on a thin spire and slid down from a great height. When the mysterious master was on the ground, he turned into stone, and a poisonous snake slipped out of his stony lips, and a frog jumped out.
The inhabitants of the city were sure that there was an evil spirit in the master - a person is not able to create something like Olevista. But the temple was consecrated in honor of the sainted Olaf II, the king who brought Christian faith to Norway. So the Catholic Church got its official name, but even centuries later, the name of a strange architect was preserved in the memory of the inhabitants and the church is still called by the old name - Oleviste.
History of St Olaf's Church
No matter how mystical and mysterious were the old legends, real story Church of St. Olaf is no less interesting. The first evidence of its existence dates back to the 12th century. It is even known that in the 1420s the building was thoroughly rebuilt, making a baptismal basilica, adding new choirs and high vaults.
A century later, during the Reformation, the church was plundered, all interior decoration passed, and the Catholic clergy was replaced by the Lutheran. In the 20th century (1950) the church began to unite the seven main Estonian religious communities. IN Church of St. Olaf services are held and it is always open for visits.
The first thing that visitors of the ancient temple see is the high Gothic vaults. Their frame arches, intersecting, create an unusual geometric ornament in the form of stars.
Be sure to visit the chapel of St. Mary, attached from the east. The relief image of St. Olaf is perfectly preserved, on the wall behind the altar. One of the outer walls of the chapel is decorated with a large cenotaph. The symbolic stone slab bears the name of Hans Pavels, who was the initiator of the construction of the chapel of St. Mary. There is an inscription in Old German - one of the wise biblical phrases that makes you think about the futility of worldly troubles and how small they are before eternity. The relief depicts scenes of the suffering of Christ.
But a tour of the ancient Olevista will not be complete without a rise to the famous observation deck. A narrow spiral staircase leads to a height of 57 meters, from where magnificent panoramas of the Estonian capital open up. The staircase consists of 232 steps, the climb seems rather tiring. But those who spared no effort will be satisfied - only from here you can see the entire Old Town, which seems exactly the same as many centuries ago. Even the streets seen earlier "from the ground" and the sights that adorn them seem different - full of mysterious charm. If you believe the stories, then in especially clear and sunny days from here you can see the outline of Helsinki.
Unfortunately, during the winter months, access to the observation deck is closed.
St. Olaf's Church is one of the most beautiful sights in Tallinn, built in the 13th century. From its platform it is very good to carry out inspection of the city.
City's legends
There is a legend about this place. It says that the construction of the church was carried out in order to create an unusually high building for that time on the territory of Tallinn. Merchants should have seen her from their ships, sailing to the shore.
The grandiose plan was agreed to be carried out by a master unknown to the townspeople. As a reward, he asked for ten barrels of gold, which would be handed over to him at the end of the work.
Residents of the city said the price was too high. Then the unknown person changed the condition and said that the customers would have to give his name as payment. If they succeed, he will build the building for free.
The deal was concluded, but when the payment deadline approached, the Tallinners began to panic. They did not have the required amount of money. And then a spy was sent to the builder's wife. When she rocked the baby before going to bed, she mentioned the name of his father. It turned out that his name was Olev. So the inhabitants of the city were able to fulfill the condition of the master.
The architect was annoyed that he had lost the opportunity to receive an award for his work. He was at a high altitude when he found out about it. In anger, Olev released the cross he was holding on to and fell to the ground. At the moment of death, a snake and a frog came out of his mouth. The legend explains this by the fact that the builder of the temple dealt with dark forces, for only they could help in the creation of such a magnificent structure.
Surviving information
The structure is quite interesting story. Before the appearance of a holy temple on this land, there was a courtyard where Scandinavian merchants carried out trade. From 1015 to 1028, Olaf Haraldsson ruled here, who was later ranked among the saints. In honor of him, in fact, the church of St. Olaf is named.
Photos of this place are striking in their beauty and attract large flows of people here. The building is quite old. The first information about it appeared only in 1267, when church activities were already in full swing here.
The higher organization that took care of the temple was the Cisterian monastery for women. Scandinavian merchants provided the means by which the Church of St. Olaf (Tallinn) could function. In the 1420s, it was expanded and extensively rebuilt. There were updated choirs and a basilica, which was decorated with pillars with four sides. The main nave was decorated with star-shaped vaults.
Distinctive features
Sailors saw the spire while still at sea, and could navigate along it in search of a shore. Of course, for such beauty and majesty, one had to pay with some of the risks associated with them.
The high spire attracted lightning bolts, which struck it eight times. Three times as a result of a thunderstorm there were fires that brought monstrous destruction.
Over the long years that the Church of St. Olaf existed, history has seen everything. The triumph that the temple achieved was overshadowed in the minds of the people by a grandiose fire that occurred in 1625. The fire was visible even on the Finnish coast. Then the championship in beauty and grandeur had to give way to the church of St. Mary (Stiralsund).
There are records describing the changes that the Church of St. Olaf experienced. At the moment, the building rises to 123.7 m. The city government has decided that none of the nearby buildings should be higher than this structure.
From the records of B. Russov, a well-known chronicler, one can learn that in 1547 there were tightrope walkers in Tallinn. They had a cane stretched between the tower and the wall of the fortress, on which they showed tricks.
In the period from 1513 to 1523, the architects were engaged in the construction of the chapel of the Virgin Mary, whose style is attributed to the late Gothic. At the outer wall you can find a cenotaph - a symbolic burial dedicated to H. Pavels, who was the initiator of the construction. It depicts the Passion of Christ on eight reliefs.
Unification of confessions
The Reformation, which began on the territory of Tallinn in September 1524, affected the Church of St. Olaf. Since then, it has been run by the Lutherans. In the 18th century, the epicenter of the pietistic Estonian awakening unfolded here.
In 1736, Count von Zinzendorf was here, preaching. During the 19th century, evangelical preachers also visited here. Their words greatly influenced the people of that time.
The graceful architecture of the local buildings delighted visiting travelers. Known dedicated to the temple a poem that has been here several times.
Until 1944, the building was managed by the Lutheran German community. In 1950, the authority over the temple passed to the AUCECB. Baptists, Christians and Pentecostals began to pray here. The church began to be called united. The elders here were O. Tyark and O. Olvik.
Church of St. Olaf - a place where there was a unity of people who professed different confessions into one family. Today, a thorough renovation has been carried out here. After the war, the temple did not carry out active work for a long time, so the renovation of the building was simply necessary.
In 1981, a baptistery appeared here. The entire Estonian brotherhood considered this shrine to be one of the most important. There were hours of prayers and Bible readings for presbyters, and on Sundays there were services similar to conferences of a spiritual type. From 1978 to 1980, there was an "awakening" in which many people from all over the Soviet Union participated.
Having learned where the Church of St. Olaf is located and having come here for informational purposes, it can be noted that excellent conditions have been created here for the choir and music due to good acoustics. Nowadays, a large number of ensembles perform here, which are extremely interesting and pleasant to listen to. An excellent organ works, whose presence makes the sound voluminous.
What else should you pay attention to first of all, if there is very little time to take a good look at the church of St. Olaf? The sights that glorified the temple are, first of all, star-shaped vaults, on which a beautiful pattern is created with frame arches.
Also, one cannot ignore the sculptural relief, which can be seen by looking behind the altar. A beautiful building is the chapel of the Virgin Mary, located on east side. And, of course, you should pay attention to the cenotaph in honor of H. Pavels.
Once in Tallinn, be sure to look into that part of the city where the Church of St. Olaf is located. Her address: st. Lai, house 50. This is the most beautiful work of architecture, in which all the most refined and sublime features of the Gothic are intertwined.
Oleviste Church is one of the most ancient and majestic sights of Tallinn, which can be seen from afar, walking around the city, because its green spire goes high into the sky.
Until the middle of the 16th century, St. Olaf's Church remained the tallest religious building in Europe, and today it is one of the twenty tallest churches in the world and is the second tallest building in the Estonian capital after the Tallinn TV Tower.
The graceful medieval architecture of the temple, which for many years delighted and attracted travelers, continues to do so to this day. In addition to visiting the church itself, the ascent to its observation deck deserves special attention, from where you can see the capital of Estonia at a glance.
The Oleviste Church often hosts musical events: organ concerts and choral singing. Many tourists who have witnessed them note in their reviews the excellent acoustics inside the temple.
Opening hours of the Church of Oleviste
On a daily basis, the church and the observation deck are open only during the warm season - from April 1 to October 30:
- Church: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Observation deck: from 10:00 to 18:00 every day, except for the period from July 1 to August 31, when it is open from 10:00 to 20:00.
In the winter season - from November 1 to March 31 - the observation deck is closed and there is no access to it, and the church itself does not work every day, but mainly on the days of services. The schedule of services and events can be found on the official website of the Oleviste Church.
Entrance to the temple is free, but you have to pay to visit the observation deck on the church tower: a ticket for adults costs 3 euros, for children from 7 to 14 years old, as well as students and pensioners - 1 euro.
Story
Oleviste kirik in Tallinn has one of the richest histories among the city's buildings. The first written evidence of it dates back to 1267, when the church is mentioned as active. catholic church, under the care of the Cistercian convent of St. Michael. The church was located on the site where in the XII century there was a trading yard of Scandinavian merchants. According to some reports, its original height was 159 meters, and the spire served as a kind of guide for ships sailing to Tallinn.
In the 1420s, the church of St. Olaf underwent significant changes: new vaults and choirs were erected, and the longitudinal part was converted into a basilica. In the period from 1513 to 1523, the chapel of the Virgin Mary was added in the late Gothic style.
In 1524, the Oleviste church came under a wave of reform movement against the abuses of catholic church. The clergy of the temple was expelled from the city, and the interior of the church was looted, but the outside of the building was not damaged. Since that time, the church has become Lutheran.
The high metal spire of the church repeatedly attracted lightning, often causing fires. One of the most serious fires that destroyed the rich old interior occurred in the church in 1830. The building of the temple was restored once again, as well as its interior, which has survived for the most part to this day.
During the reconstruction, the spire was shortened several times, and the current height of the Oleviste Church is 123.7 meters. According to the rules in force in Tallinn, no new building in the city center can be higher than the spire of this temple, so it still remains one of the most recognizable landmarks of Tallinn.
In 1950, the building of the Church of St. Olaf was given to the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christian Baptists. Over time, the church became a place for meetings and events of the entire Estonian brotherhood.
The legend of the construction of the Oleviste Church
One of the Tallinn legends is connected with the history of the Oleviste church, according to which its name was not given in honor of the Norwegian king Olaf II Haraldsson, who was later canonized, but is associated with the name of the master who volunteered to perform a difficult task - the construction of a church with the highest spire in city. However, the price that the architect asked for his work - 10 barrels of gold, seemed to the local authorities to be very high. Then the master offered a deal: if the residents manage to find out his name before the end of construction, he will not take anything for the work, but if not, then the city authorities will pay the full amount.
The townspeople, who did not want to pay such a high price to the master, waited until the church was almost finished, and sent a spy to his house, who managed to overhear the lullaby sung by the master's wife to their little son. It contained lines where a woman mentioned her husband's name: "Tomorrow Papa Olev will return home."
The next day, when the master was doing the final work - he was installing a cross on the spire of the church, one of the townspeople called out to him, calling him by name. Out of surprise and annoyance, the architect dropped the cross from his hands and fell from a height to the ground. According to legend, at the moment when Olev's body touched the ground, it turned to stone, and a snake crawled out of his mouth and a frog jumped out. According to the townspeople, this was evidence of the master's collusion with otherworldly forces, because in those days it was believed that it was simply impossible to build such a tall building without their help.
Observation deck
On the tower of the Church of Oleviste, at the base of the spire, there is an observation deck. Anyone can get on it, but for this you need to pay the cost of a ticket at the box office located at the entrance and climb a long narrow spiral staircase with high uneven steps, the number of which is more than 200 pieces.
The observation deck is essentially part of the roof and is located at a very significant height - about 60 meters. The width of the aisles on it is small and comfortable for finding one person, so it is not easy to disperse with other visitors if necessary, which further adds to the thrill. However, all this does not stop tourists who, in their numerous reviews, describe beautiful panoramic views of the city and the impressions of visiting the church tower.
It is worth noting that the observation deck is circular and provides a 360-degree view, so you can see different parts of Tallinn: the streets of the Old Town and new areas of the capital, the Gulf of Finland and the port with cruise ships, the railway station. In addition, great photos are obtained from the site, especially in clear weather, when visibility is at its best. This is another reason to climb this interesting place.
View of Oleviste Church in Tallinn - panorama on Google Maps
How to get to the Church of St. Olaf in Tallinn
Oleviste Church is located in the Old Town, on the territory of which there is no public transport. However, the nearest stops are very close - about 400 meters away is the Linnahall stop, through which trams No. 1 and 2 run. In addition, several bus stops and the Tallinn-Baltic railway station (Balti jaam) are within walking distance.
For those who plan to get to Oleviste Church by private car, you can do this along Lai and Pikk streets, which you can turn into from Rannamäe tee, which runs around the northern part of the Old Town.
In addition, to get to St. Olaf's Church as quickly and comfortably as possible, you can use taxi services, for example, one of the popular applications in Tallinn: Uber, Taxofon or Taxify.
Video about St. Olav's Church in Tallinn, Estonia
One of the most attractive buildings in the Estonian capital is one of the 20 tallest churches in the world, although in fact it is only the second tallest building in Tallinn after the TV tower.
Due to its size, the church attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists. They come to enjoy the observation deck, which offers a panoramic view of the sea and the Old Town.
Church history
The exact date of construction of the temple is unknown. Most sources suggest that Oleviste Church already stood in the heart of medieval Tallinn in the 13th century. The legend says that the church was built here because the inhabitants of the city wanted to have the highest and most beautiful temple in the world. Its size was supposed to be a beacon for foreign merchants who came to Tallinn to trade.
The name of the church comes from the Norwegian king Olaf II Haraldson, who was canonized for the conversion of Northern Europe and Estonia to Christianity. At 159 meters high, the Gothic St Olaf's Church was the tallest building in Europe of that period. The building held this status until the devastating fire of 1625, which was then caused by a thunderstorm. Lightning strikes struck the temple eight times, three of which set it on fire. People say that the fire was so strong that it could be seen even from the coast of Finland.
Oleviste Church was restored in the 16th century after the construction of the chapel of St. Mary. It was also richly decorated with late Gothic ornaments. However, in 1524, the church was plundered and destroyed by supporters of the Reformation. The modern layout of the religious site was established in the middle of the 19th century, after the building was again repaired after another fire. Today, the Gothic starry ceilings and the bas-relief of St. Olaf are the most remarkable elements of the temple.
On the main tower of the church, right above the entrance, there is a large 14-meter window. Nine windows of the same shape, but smaller, are slightly higher.
The height of the stone base is 63 m, and the spire is 70 m.
Church Tower - Chapel of the Virgin Mary
The chapel was added at the beginning of the 16th century. Then the temple was erected by German architects - Bernt Wolf and Gert Koning. Interior painting was done by Clemence Palais and Henrik Bildensnider.
A fire that broke out due to a lightning strike at the beginning of the 19th century led to ten years of restoration of the Chapel of the Virgin Mary. It was caused by lightning that struck the spire of the church.
Features of the church organ
The church acquired an organ in 1842. It was made by the well-known company of Eberhard Friedrich Walker and delivered by sea to Tallinn straight from Germany. main feature organ in perfectly matched details, which is why it still surprises visitors with its clarity and diversity of sound.
Observation deck and view of Tallinn
in Tallinn highest point views open in the summer. It is located 60 meters above ground level and can be reached by a long spiral staircase. Such a challenging climb is well worth the effort, as the observation deck of the Oleviste Church offers exceptionally good views of the Old Town. From here you can see Tallinn from all sides and take beautiful panoramic photos.
Entrance to the observation deck is paid.
Contact Information
Popular hotels near Oleviste Church: Three Sisters Hotel (Pikk 71/Tolli 2, Tallinn 10133), Meriton Old Town (Lai 49, Tallinn 10133), Rixwell Gotthard Hotel (Pikk 66, Tallinn 10133) and Braavo Hotel (Aia 20, Tallinn 10111).
Tickets: With Tallinn Card entrance to the temple is free. Adult - 2 EUR, and children - 1 EUR.
Address: Lai 50
Working hours: from April 20 to June 30 from 10:00 to 18:00 (Monday - Sunday); from July 1 to August 31 from 10:00 to 20:00 (Monday - Sunday); from September 1 to October 31 from 10:00 to 18:00 (Monday - Sunday).
Web site: www.oleviste.ee
Telephone: +3726412241
St. Olaf's Church, Oleviste Church (Est. Oleviste kirik), German and old Russian name - Olai (German Olaikirche) - a Baptist church in Tallinn (Lai Street, 50), a historical building of the XIII century, which is the architectural dominant of the Old Town and a popular viewing platform.
Oleviste Church, built on the site where the trading yard of Scandinavian merchants was located in the 12th century, is named after the Norwegian king Olaf Haraldsson (995-1030), who was later canonized. The first information about the Church of Olevista dates back to 1267 as a functioning church under the care of the Cistercian convent of St. Michael. It was maintained by Scandinavian merchants and served as their parish church. In the 1420s, it was greatly expanded and rebuilt: new choirs were built, the longitudinal part was turned into a basilica with tetrahedral pillars. The vaults of the main nave became star-shaped, and the side vaults became cross.
At the turn of the 16th century, the height of the main tower with a spire reached 159 meters, which allowed the church to be the tallest building in the world, until a fire broke out in 1625 and the palm passed to the Church of St. Mary in Stralsund, and after the misfortune in Stralsund to Strasbourg cathedral. The church spire shot up to the sky was visible for many kilometers and was a good guide for ships. However, such a gigantic height concealed a significant threat: eight times the church was struck by lightning strikes, and three times during a thunderstorm it was subjected to a devastating fire. According to information that has come down to us, the fiery glow was visible even from the Finnish coast. The church in its current form has a height of 123.7 meters. According to the decree of the city government of Tallinn, skyscrapers being built in the city center cannot be higher than St. Olaf's Church.
One more thing interesting fact related to the history of the church, the pastor of the church mentions - famous chronicler Balthazar Russov. In 1547 tightrope walkers arrived in Tallinn. They pulled a long rope between the tower of the church and the fortress wall and began to perform dangerous tricks on it.
In 1513-1523, a chapel of the Virgin Mary was added to the church in the late Gothic style. Under its outer wall is a symbolic grave (cenotaf) of the initiator of the construction, Hans Pavels, with eight reliefs depicting the Passion of Christ.
The Reformation in Tallinn began on September 14, 1524 in Oleviste Church, which became Lutheran as a result. In the 18th century, it became the center of the pietist awakening in Estonia; in 1736, Count N. L. von Zinzendorf preached here. In the 19th century, many evangelical preachers worked in the church of Olevista, whose influence extended far beyond the church.
With its graceful architecture, the temple delighted many travelers who visited Tallinn. In particular, the famous Russian poet Prince Pyotr Andreevich Vyazemsky, who had a rest in the city in 1825, 1826, 1843 and 1844, dedicated a separate poem to the temple.
Until 1944, the Oleviste Church belonged to the German Lutheran community.
In 1950, the building was given to the AUCECB. The new Church of Oleviste included believers of four currents: Baptists, Evangelical Christians, Pentecostals and free Christians. The grand opening of the church took place on September 17, 1950.
The overhaul of the church also contributed to the unity of believers of different faiths into a single Christian family, since the church building after the war was not used for its intended purpose for a long time and fell into disrepair. In 1981, a large baptistery was built in the church.
The Oleviste Church eventually became the mother church of the entire Estonian brotherhood. Bible and prayer hours for elders began to be held, as well as Sunday services, which are reminiscent of meetings at spiritual conferences held in the past.
In 1978-1980, the church became the center of a charismatic "awakening" that, before the intervention of the authorities, gathered thousands of people from all over the Soviet Union.
The good acoustics of the Oleviste Church provide excellent opportunities for choral and musical activities. Taking into account the traditions, in addition to the united choir, organized in the first years of joint service, which included singers from all choirs, two more mixed choirs were formed, as well as male and female choirs, string and brass bands. The youth choir sings in the church and serves music bands and ensembles - Sanctus, Effafa, Gloria and various chamber compositions.
The organ plays a special role in the development of the music and singing ministry. It serves not only to accompany general singing, but also allows you to perform large vocal and symphonic works.
