St Nicholas’ Church

The Church of St Nicholas, in Tallinn

The Church of St Nicholas, or Niguliste, is a former medieval church of Tallinn, become a museum of sacred art. The Tallinn audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint of the sailors, famous for its Dance of Death.

The medieval sanctuary of the sailors and its Dance of Death

The Church of St Nicholas, called Niguliste in Estonian, already counts numerous centuries of existence. Dating back to the thirteenth century, it was built by the merchants and the sailors of Tallinn and dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of the navigators, particularly venerated in this Hanseatic town turned towards the sea. Over the Middle Ages, the church was enriched with remarkable works of art, witnesses of the prosperity of the town. Alas, like a part of Tallinn, it suffered from the bombings of the Second World War, which ravaged it, before being restored. It is no longer today a place of worship but a museum of medieval sacred art, which presents precious religious works, altarpieces and sculptures. Its most famous treasure is the Dance of Death, a striking medieval painting attributed to Bernt Notke, which represents Death drawing into its round figures of all conditions, a universal reminder of the fragility of life. A historic sanctuary and a setting of sacred art, the Church of St Nicholas is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the former medieval church of the thirteenth century dedicated to St Nicholas, patron of the sailors, built by the merchants of Tallinn, ravaged during the Second World War then restored and become a museum of sacred art, which presents altarpieces and sculptures, and whose treasure is the Dance of Death, a striking painting attributed to Bernt Notke. The Church of St Nicholas is a setting of sacred art of Tallinn. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of St Nicholas lies in the old town of Tallinn, reachable on foot. Become a museum of sacred art, it can be visited with respect, according to its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming.

Why is the Church of St Nicholas of Tallinn famous?

For its Dance of Death, a striking medieval painting attributed to Bernt Notke representing Death drawing in figures of all conditions; this thirteenth-century church dedicated to St Nicholas, patron of the sailors, ravaged during the Second World War then restored, is today a museum of sacred art.

Where is the Church of St Nicholas of Tallinn?

In the old town of Tallinn, in Estonia.