St. John's Church, Gothic brick church in Kesklinn, Estonia
St. John's Church is a Brick Gothic church in the center of Tartu, Estonia, built with three interior aisles, a western tower, and a polygonal apse. Its outer and inner walls are covered with thousands of individually hand-shaped terracotta figures.
Construction of the church began in 1321 and was largely complete by the last quarter of the 14th century. The building was badly damaged in World War II, then restored from 1989 onward and reopened in 2005.
The church is known for its terracotta figures showing saints, angels, and scenes from everyday medieval life. Visitors who take time to look closely at the walls keep finding new faces and details they had not noticed before.
The church sits in central Tartu and is easy to reach on foot, clearly visible from nearby streets. Those who want to take in the terracotta figures on the walls and ceilings should allow extra time, as there is a lot to look at.
This church holds the largest collection of medieval terracotta sculptures in northern Europe, and every single figure was shaped by a different craftsperson. That is why no two figures look exactly alike, with each one carrying its own style and expression.
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