St. John's Church
St. John's Church
4
About
The church devoted to John the Baptist was erected in the 17thC upon the ruins of a Franciscan abbey. The church was destroyed several times in various wars and then invariably rebuilt. Still functioning after the Second World War, it was closed in 1950 and turned into a warehouse.It was consecrated again in 1992 and is now often used as a concert venue. Interesting to know:*This place of worship contains the communion table by Aivar Oja and stained-glass windows by Renee Aua.*Wall carpets have been made by the local textile artist Prof. Anu Raud, whose work "Mother Tree” is displayed in the UN's main building in New York.
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4.0
26 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
13
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
PBTravelstheWorld
Lynden, WA390 contributions
Sept 2019
Came to see the textile hangings by Prof. Anu Raud, unfortunately church was not open as planned. It is very large and situated in a lovely park that has several other things to visit. There are other textiles by Dr. Raud in the Estonian National Museum and she has had a special exhibit there also.
Written 29 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Globetrotter045
Haacht, Belgium5,406 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Next to the castle grounds, you will see this austere white church.
And have a look inside. When I visited the church, it was filled with plants and red balloons. For a concert? A celebration? I don't know, but it looked beautiful.
I have spent a few days in Viljandi and I heard the chimes of the church playing several times a day. Really lovely to hear.
And have a look inside. When I visited the church, it was filled with plants and red balloons. For a concert? A celebration? I don't know, but it looked beautiful.
I have spent a few days in Viljandi and I heard the chimes of the church playing several times a day. Really lovely to hear.
Written 14 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anu
Estonia23 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Excellent atmosphere and energy. The walls are very sparsely decorated of course. Nice bells. Good concerts.
Written 3 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SurreyGirl27
Addlestone, UK1,152 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Reported to be the oldest surviving church in Estonia on the site of a former abbey and close to the ruins of Viljandi Order Castle. The church was destroyed several times in the numerous conflicts and invasions and then repeatedly rebuilt. It has had many functions since the 2nd world war including an warehouse and concert hall. It has now returned to being a church with a beautiful communion table and stained glass windows. Accessed across a cute wooden bridge.
Written 30 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivian L
Southern Finland, Finland2,393 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
This church is smaller than Pauluse Kirik (St. Paul’s church in Viljandi) and the white interior gives this church much more lighter atmosphere. It is on your way to the Viljandi Tourist Info and some of the main attractions in Viljandi. Definitely worth a visit since you will be walking just past it.
Written 24 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin D
West Drayton, UK863 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
A great surviving relic to the past. Like many churches in this area it has seen better times, but has been restored gracefully. I liked the doves of peace inside and appreciated the work that must have gone into maintaining this building.
700 years of history in one building. Nice views outside as well.
700 years of history in one building. Nice views outside as well.
Written 26 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helene H
Maidenhead153 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Beautiful old church ,worth a visit as it is in a beauty spot with oportunity to stroll in park and take in the local flawour
Written 12 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMOverby
Columbia, MO1,769 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Of all the churches named after St. John in Estonia, this may be the most charming. It dates back some 700 years and is attractive both inside and out with its simple lines and forms. Well worth at least sticking your head in when you're passing through, as I was on a tour between Riga and Tallinn.
Written 20 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
490theos
Southend-on-Sea, UK537 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Like many of the 13th century churches in Estonia it has been through turbulent times but remains used in a country that declares itself the least religious in the world!
Written 4 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kayla L
10 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Charming church. You'll walk past it on the way to the castle ruins. It's definitely worthwhile to take a peek inside. Above the front entrance, there is a stained glass window with old Estonian pagan patterns.
Written 24 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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