St Olaf’s Church

St Olaf's Church, in Tallinn

St Olaf's Church is famous for its vertiginous spire, long reputed the tallest of the world, which dominates the old town of Tallinn. The Tallinn audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this medieval sanctuary, a landmark of the Baltic sailors.

The tallest spire and the landmark of the sailors

Here, it is useless to cast the gaze far away: what you need is to raise it well high towards the sky, to measure the extraordinary spire of St Olaf's Church, called Oleviste in Estonian. Built in the Middle Ages in the lower town, this church is dedicated to St Olaf, king of Norway and venerated figure of Nordic Christianity. Its spire, which soars to a vertiginous height, was, according to tradition, one of the tallest constructions of the world at the end of the Middle Ages. Visible from very far at sea, it served as a landmark and a seamark to the ships that approached Tallinn, a major port of the Baltic. This exceptional height also had its reverse: the spire was struck several times by lightning and ravaged by fires, before being each time rebuilt. Still today, the church dominates the silhouette of the old town, and it is possible to climb to the summit of its tower to enjoy a striking panorama. A medieval sanctuary and a giant of the old town, St Olaf's Church is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the medieval church dedicated to St Olaf, king of Norway, famous for its vertiginous spire reputed one of the tallest constructions of the world at the end of the Middle Ages, visible from afar at sea where it served as a landmark to the ships, struck several times by lightning and rebuilt, whose tower you can climb for a striking panorama. St Olaf's Church dominates the old town of Tallinn. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

St Olaf's Church lies in the lower town of Tallinn, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect; the access and the climb to the tower follow their own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the character of the place.

Why is St Olaf's Church of Tallinn famous?

For its vertiginous spire, which was according to tradition one of the tallest constructions of the world at the end of the Middle Ages; visible from afar at sea, it served as a landmark to the ships approaching Tallinn; dedicated to St Olaf, king of Norway, the church was struck several times by lightning and rebuilt.

Where is St Olaf's Church in Tallinn?

In the lower town of Tallinn, in Estonia.