St. Olav's Church (Oleviste Kirik), Tallinn (must see)

Rising above the rooftops of Tallinn’s Old Town, Saint Olav's Church is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, with origins tracing back to at least the 12th century. Dedicated to King Olaf II of Norway, the church served as a focal point for the Scandinavian community in medieval Tallinn. Its tall spire functioned as a crucial navigational marker for ships approaching the harbor.

The church’s history is closely tied to its tower. Rebuilt and expanded over time, the spire reached an estimated height of around 159 meters in the 16th century, making it one of the tallest structures in the world between roughly 1549 and 1625.

A well-known local legend adds another layer to the site. According to the story, a mysterious master builder agreed to construct the tower but demanded a high payment, unless the townspeople could discover his name. As the tower neared completion, the townspeople grew anxious about the cost. Determined to learn the builder’s name, they secretly listened outside his home. One night, they overheard his wife singing a lullaby to their child, in which she mentioned his name—Olav.

When the builder reached the very top of the nearly finished spire, the townspeople called out his name. Startled and realizing he had been tricked out of his payment, he lost his footing and fell from the tower to his death. The church was then named after him.

Visitors can climb the tower to reach an open viewing platform, typically accessible from spring through autumn. The ascent is steep, but the panoramic view reveals Tallinn’s red rooftops, church spires, and the Baltic Sea stretching beyond. In the 20th century, the tower even served a practical purpose as a radio and surveillance point during the Soviet era. Today, the church is used by a Baptist congregation, continuing its long-standing role as a place of gathering while offering one of the clearest vantage points over the city.