St Catherine’s Passage

St Catherine's Passage, in Tallinn

St Catherine's Passage is one of the most picturesque alleys of the old town of Tallinn, a medieval setting of artisans. The Tallinn audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this passage covered with arches, where time seems suspended, along the former Church of St Catherine.

The medieval alley of the artisans

Strolling in the centuries-old streets of Tallinn, you witness clues of different eras that help to understand the history of the town, and St Catherine's Passage is one of its most charming examples. This narrow cobbled alley, called Katariina käik, runs along the vestiges of the former Church of St Catherine, which gave it its name, and which formerly belonged to a Dominican convent. The passage is partly covered with medieval stone arches that span the alley, creating an intimate atmosphere out of time, one of the most photogenic of the old town. Along its old walls are still exhibited old carved tombstones, coming from the church. Today, St Catherine's Passage shelters artisan workshops, the St Catherine's Guild, where artists work glass, ceramics, leather, hats or jewellery according to the traditional methods, perpetuating the know-how of yesteryear. It is a place where history and craft meet. A picturesque alley and a setting of craft, St Catherine's Passage is a fine stop of the discovery of Tallinn.

What to see

Here you wander in the narrow cobbled and picturesque alley, partly covered with medieval stone arches that create an atmosphere out of time, along the vestiges of the former Church of St Catherine of a Dominican convent, whose old carved tombstones are exhibited along the walls; the passage today shelters artisan workshops working glass, ceramics or leather. St Catherine's Passage is a medieval setting of Tallinn. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

St Catherine's Passage lies in the old town of Tallinn, reachable on foot. It is a public alley freely accessible; the artisan workshops have their own hours. You discover it by strolling in the medieval heart of the town.

What is particular about St Catherine's Passage in Tallinn?

It is a narrow picturesque cobbled alley, partly covered with medieval stone arches that create an atmosphere out of time, along the vestiges of the former Church of St Catherine; old tombstones are exhibited there, and the passage shelters artisan workshops working glass, ceramics or leather.

Where is St Catherine's Passage in Tallinn?

In the old town of Tallinn, in Estonia.