The Church of the Holy Spirit

The Church of the Holy Spirit, in Tallinn

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a charming medieval church of Tallinn, famous for its white façade and its old ornate clock. The Tallinn audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary laden with history, linked to the beginnings of the Estonian language.

The white church and its old clock

If all the churches of Tallinn meet on their white hue, each has known a singular path, and that of the Holy Spirit, Pühavaimu in Estonian, occupies a place apart in the history of the town. This charming medieval church, with a modest silhouette and a slender bell tower, is one of the oldest of the town. Its façade displays a magnificent old clock, richly carved and painted, considered the oldest public clock of Tallinn, a true little masterpiece. The Church of the Holy Spirit was an important place for the Estonian people: it is here that, at the time of the Protestant Reformation, sermons were pronounced for the first time in the Estonian language, and no longer in German or Latin, which makes of it a cradle of the national culture and language. Inside, the building keeps precious medieval works, including a remarkable altarpiece. A historic sanctuary and a cradle of the Estonian language, the Church of the Holy Spirit is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the charming white medieval church with a slender bell tower, one of the oldest of Tallinn, whose façade displays the oldest public clock of the town, richly carved and painted; cradle of the Estonian language, where sermons were for the first time pronounced in Estonian during the Reformation, it keeps a remarkable medieval altarpiece. The Church of the Holy Spirit is a historic sanctuary of Tallinn. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of the Holy Spirit lies in the lower town of Tallinn, near the Town Hall Square, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect, according to its own hours and conditions, which vary; you also admire its old clock from the street. It is best to check them before coming.

Why is the Church of the Holy Spirit of Tallinn important?

Because it is a cradle of the Estonian language: it is here that, during the Reformation, sermons were for the first time pronounced in Estonian; this charming medieval church, one of the oldest of the town, also displays the oldest public clock of Tallinn and keeps a remarkable altarpiece.

Where is the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallinn?

In the lower town of Tallinn, near the Town Hall Square, in Estonia.