Pirita Convent, Tallinn, Estonia

Pirita Convent (Pirita klooster) was a monastery, for both monks and nuns dedicated to St. Bridget. In 1407 two brothers from St. Bridget Order Convent in Vadstena, Sweden, had arrived to Tallinn to promote with advice and other assistance the expansion of order to Estonia. In 1417 finally the first limestone quarry permit was obtained from the town with the help of the Grandmaster of the Livonian Order and the building of the Pirita convent started. The completed church was consecrated on August 15, 1436 by Tallinn’s Bishop Heinrch II.

The Pirita Convent operated over 150 years and was the largest nunnery in Old Livonia. It was brutally destroyed by Russian army short invasion in late January 1575. In addition, the nearby village was also destroyed. The local inhabitants never restored most of the buildings. As late as in last century – in the 1930s - potato field covered the former nuns quarters and the potatoes were stored in the former hypocaust of the abbess’s residence.

Today the beautiful park with the convent ruins is administrated by the Bridgettine sisters. The museum is opened year round.

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User Reviews

Chelsea Dunwoody (11 months ago)
Fascinating place to visit with plenty of history. Easy to enter, with pay machine and turnstiles at the entrance. Parking nearby too.

Andreas Mavrikios (2 years ago)
I recently visited the Pirita Convent Ruins in Tallinn, Estonia and was thoroughly impressed by the rich history and beauty of the site. The ruins are well preserved and provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. One of the standout features of the convent ruins is the stunning architecture. The ruins of the church and monastery are breathtaking, with intricate details and beautiful stone work. It's easy to imagine what the convent must have looked like in its prime, and the ruins give a sense of the grandeur and importance of the site. In addition to the architectural beauty of the convent, I was also struck by the rich history of the site. The convent was founded in the 15th century and played an important role in the spiritual and cultural life of Estonia. As I wandered through the ruins, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the stories and events that must have taken place within these walls. Overall, I would highly recommend a visit to the Pirita Convent Ruins to anyone interested in history or architecture. It's a truly unique and special place that should not be missed.

Loren Oliveira (2 years ago)
Visited on a winter day, we were the only ones there. You buy the tickets on the entrance from a screen, it costs 2€. Spent a peaceful time exploring the ruins.

Liu To (2 years ago)
There was no one there when I went and everything was exceptionally beautiful. There is a ticket machine at the gate and you can only pay by card.

Daniel Rodríguez Hernández (2 years ago)
A very interesting visit. Not busy, very relax and cheap. It's incredible how big it was.

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