Charles' Church, Tallinn

Charles' Church is a church building in Tallinn's Old Town featuring two tall towers and a rose window, constructed from hewn limestone blocks in a Latin cross layout. The interior impresses with its large open hall that remains free of supporting pillars.

A Swedish king commissioned a wooden church in 1670 for Estonian and Finnish residents, which burned down during the Great Northern War. The stone structure visible today was built as a replacement using more permanent materials.

The church displays a fresco by an Estonian artist in its apse showing Christ's call to the weary, which became a defining moment in local artistic development. This work reflects the spiritual role the building holds for those who gather here.

The church serves as an active place of worship and is accessible to visitors, with regular services held throughout the week. It helps to check opening times in advance, especially if you want to see the interior.

The ceiling system combines brick and wood in an innovative way that allows the interior to remain completely free of supporting columns. This technical solution was notable for its time and remains an example of practical engineering.

Location: Tallinn City

Inception: 1862

Architects: Otto Pius Hippius

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Address: Tallinn, Toompea tänav 10

GPS coordinates: 59.43194,24.73917

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:07