Toomkirik

Toomkirik, also known as the Cathedral on Toompea, is a historic church in Tallinn, Estonia. It is situated on Toompea hill in Tallinn’s Old Town and is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city, serving as the main church of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in the diocese of Tallinn.

The present structure was begun in the 13th century and developed through the late medieval period. It originally served as a Roman Catholic cathedral and became Lutheran after the Reformation in the 16th century, continuing as the diocese’s principal church and a national landmark. The brick Gothic building features a tall, slender tower that dominates the city skyline and a nave with Gothic arcades, a chancel, and surviving medieval monuments.

Inside, the cathedral preserves elements from the medieval era, including epitaphs and remnants of tombs, as well as a pipe organ used in worship and concerts. The exterior and interior have undergone restorations to maintain the building’s character while accommodating liturgical use.

Today Toomkirik functions as a place of worship and a cultural institution. It hosts regular services, organ recitals, and public events, and stands as a symbol of Tallinn’s history and Estonia’s Christian heritage. It sits alongside other historic sites in the Old Town, such as Toompea Castle and nearby churches, reflecting the city’s medieval past.