- St. Olaf's Church, Tallinn
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St. Olaf's church 
Record height Tallest in the world from 1549 to 1625[I] Preceded by Lincoln Cathedral Surpassed by St. Mary's church, Stralsund General information Location Tallinn, Estonia Coordinates 59°26′29.1″N 24°44′52.1″E / 59.441417°N 24.747806°ECoordinates: 59°26′29.1″N 24°44′52.1″E / 59.441417°N 24.747806°E Construction started 1438 Completed 1519 Height Antenna spire Original: 159 m (522 ft)
Current: 123.7 m (406 ft)References [1] St. Olaf’s Church or St. Olav's Church (Estonian: Oleviste kirik) in Tallinn, Estonia, is believed to have been built in the 12th century and to have been the centre for old Tallinn's Scandinavian community prior to the conquest of Tallinn by Denmark in 1219. Its dedication relates to King Olaf II of Norway (a.k.a. Saint Olaf, 995-1030). The first known written records referring to the church date back to 1267, and it was extensively rebuilt during the 14th century.
Contents
History
A legend tells that the builder of the church, named Olaf, upon its completion, fell to his death from atop the tower. It is said that when his body hit the ground, a snake and a toad crawled out of his mouth. There is a wall-carving depicting this event in the adjoining Chapel of Our Lady.
Around 1500, the building reached a height of 159 meters. The motivation for building such an immensely tall steeple must have been to use it as a maritime signpost, which made the trading city of Tallinn visible from far out at sea. Between 1549 and 1625, until the spire burnt down after a lightning strike, it was the tallest building in the world. The steeple of St. Olav has been hit by lightning at least eight times, and the whole church has burned down three times throughout its known existence. Following several rebuildings, its overall height is now 123.7 meters.
From 1944 until 1991, the Soviet KGB used Oleviste's spire as a radio tower and surveillance point. It currently continues as an active Baptist church.
The tower's viewing platform offers panoramic views over the old town and is open to the public from April through Nov, daily 10:00 - 18:00. Admission 30kr (1.92 €).[2]
See also
- List of tallest churches
Images
References
External links
Records Preceded by
Lincoln CathedralWorld's tallest structure
1549—1625
159 mSucceeded by
St. Mary's church, StralsundTallinn landmarks Buildings and structures Toompea Castle · Tallinn Town Hall · Old Thomas · Linnahall · Kiek in de Kök · St Mary's Cathedral · St. Olaf's church · St. Nicholas' Church · Alexander Nevsky Cathedral · Town Hall Pharmacy · Pikk Hermann tower · Pirita Monastery · Kadriorg Palace · TV Tower · Independence War Victory Column · Bronze Soldier · Russalka MemorialPrecincts Nature and parks Cultural institutions Estonia Theatre · Museum of Art · Tallinn Zoo · Song Festival Grounds · Estonian Open Air Museum (Kolu kõrts) · Estonian Maritime MuseumSports Pirita Yachting Centre · A. Le Coq Arena · Saku Suurhall Arena · Kalevi Keskstaadion · Kadriorg StadiumTransportation Tallinn Passenger Port · Port of Tallinn · Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport · Copterline · Railway station · Elektriraudtee · Edelaraudtee · Go Rail · Bus · Muuga Cargo PortCategories:- Churches in Tallinn
- 13th-century architecture
- Buildings and structures completed in 1519
- Former world's tallest buildings
- Gothic architecture in Estonia
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