St. John's Church

St. John's Church is a Gothic brick building with three interior aisles, a western tower, an extended choir, and a polygonal apse that together create a spacious interior. Approximately 2000 individually sculpted terracotta figures decorate the exterior walls and interior surfaces throughout the structure.

Construction began in 1321 with the main building and decoration work completed by the final quarter of the 14th century. The structure suffered severe damage during World War II but underwent extensive restoration starting in 1989 and reopened to the public in 2005.

The church serves as a quiet place for reflection where visitors can observe the skill of medieval sculptors through the detailed terracotta figures adorning the walls. These figures tell stories of both religious devotion and everyday medieval life through their varied depictions.

The church is centrally located and easily reached on foot with clear visibility from surrounding streets. Visitors should plan to move slowly through the interior to fully appreciate the fine details of the terracotta figures on walls and ceilings.

With approximately 2000 terracotta figures, this building holds the largest collection of such medieval sculptures in northern Europe. Each figure was individually created by a different craftsperson, creating extraordinary variety in styles and expressions.

Location: Tartu City

Inception: 14 century

Architectural style: Brick Gothic

Made from material: brick

Website: http://jaanikirik.ee

GPS coordinates: 58.38278,26.72028

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26