The Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallinn is a medieval Lutheran church built in the 13th century. The church is located near the famous Café Maiasmokk in Tallinn’s Old Town and is unique for several historical and architectural reasons. The Church of the Holy Spirit is the smallest medieval church in Tallinn and originally functioned as a hospital and almshouse chapel for the poor.
During medieval times, the church was the main sanctuary for common townspeople. After the Reformation, the first sermons in the Estonian language (instead of German) were held here.
Oldest Church Bell: The tower holds Tallinn's oldest church bell, dating back to 1433, which features a unique historic inscription.
Bernt Notke Altar: The interior houses a famous 1483 double-winged main altarpiece carved by the renowned Lübeck master Bernt Notke, depicting the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.
First Estonian Book: In 1535, the church's pastor, Johann Koell, published a catechism here that is considered the first-ever printed book in the Estonian language.
Balthasar Russow, the famous Estonian chronicler, was a pastor at the Church of the Holy Spirit from 1563 until his death in 1600. He published The Chronicle of Livonia in 1578.
Oldest Public Clock: Above the entrance is an elaborately carved and painted wooden clock created by Christian Ackermann in the year 1684. This Tallinn's oldest public timepiece that still works today.
The Holy Spirit Church is part of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the city’s most important medieval ecclesial buildings.
