Church of the Holy Spirit

The Church of the Holy Spirit (Pühavaimu kirik) is a historic Gothic church in Tallinn, Estonia, located in the medieval Old Town and serving a Lutheran congregation with medieval origins. The church dates back to the medieval period and is one of the several historic parish churches clustered around Raekoja plats.

The building’s Gothic exterior and interior fittings draw attention from visitors exploring Tallinn’s Old Town; its location close to the Town Hall Square makes it a common stop on walking tours. The church retains period architectural features and memorials that reflect its long use as a parish church.

Originally founded in the medieval era as a parish church, it passed through the religious changes of the Reformation and has continued in ecclesiastical use since. Over time the fabric has been repaired and adapted while retaining its role as a city parish church.

The church stands in central Tallinn’s Old Town, in Harju County, within the compact, largely pedestrian medieval core and minutes on foot from the Town Hall Square.

Central Old Town location: Located in Tallinn's medieval Old Town, within easy walking distance of the Town Hall Square and other central landmarks.

How to Get to Church of the Holy Spirit #

The Church of the Holy Spirit (Püha Vaimu kirik) is in Tallinn’s Old Town. It’s within easy walking distance of Viru/Old Town tram stops; take Tallinn trams (e.g. lines that stop at Viru) and expect about a 5-10 minute walk from Viru Keskus or the nearby bus stops into the Old Town.

Tips for Visiting Church of the Holy Spirit #

Go early in the morning before tour groups arrive in Tallinn's Old Town to appreciate the church's Gothic interior in relative quiet.
Make a point to find the historic Danse Macabre mural and other medieval wall paintings inside - they are easy to miss if you only glance at the altar area.
Enter from Pühavaimu / the Old Town side streets rather than the busier Town Hall Square approach to avoid crowds bottlenecking at the door.

Best Time to Visit Church of the Holy Spirit #

For the Church of the Holy Spirit, visit on weekday mornings in shoulder seasons to avoid peak tourist crowds while enjoying comfortable weather.

High season (tourist summer)

June-August · 15-22°C

Warmer weather but also the busiest time for visitors to Tallinn's churches; expect guided tours and fuller services.

Shoulder seasons

April-May & September-October · 5-15°C

Milder conditions and reduced tourist numbers-good for quieter visits to the interior and better chances to attend services undisturbed.

Low season (winter)

November-March · -5-5°C

Cold weather and shorter opening hours; the church is much quieter but check seasonal hours before visiting.

Weather & Climate near Church of the Holy Spirit #

Climate

Church of the Holy Spirit's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -7°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (678 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 31 Good

Best Time to Visit

JuneMayJuly

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

29°

Warmest Month

-27°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-4°

Feels Like Freezing

-4°C

Temperature

-6° – -1°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

49 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

6.7h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-4°

Feels Like Freezing

-4°C

Temperature

-7° – -2°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

34 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.0h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-1°

Feels Like Freezing

-1°C

Temperature

-4° – 2°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

38 mm

Rainfall

4.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

11.6h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

0° – 8°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

38 mm

Rainfall

4.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

14.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

5° – 15°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

34 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

High

16.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 20°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

53 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

18.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

13° – 22°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

75 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

17.5h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 79 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

12° – 20°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

79 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

15.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

8° – 15°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

4.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

4° – 9°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

75 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

10.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-1° – 4°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

71 mm

Rainfall

5.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.4h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-2°

Feels Like Freezing

-2°C

Temperature

-4° – 1°

93%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

5.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

5.9h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Church of the Holy Spirit

Raekoja plats, Tallinn

Medieval town square in Tallinn with Gothic town hall

Plaza 97 m

Saint Catherine's Monastery

Medieval convent ruins in Tallinn's old town

Religious Site 126 m

St. Peter's and St. Paul's Cathedral

Tallinn cathedral serving the Roman Catholic community

Religious Site 157 m

St. Nicholas' Church

Medieval Tallinn church housing maritime art museum

Religious Site 294 m

Estonian Museum of Natural History

National museum displaying Estonia's natural history collections

Museum 313 m

Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn

Medieval Hanseatic old town with preserved city walls

Historical Site 350 m

Toompea

Historic hill in Tallinn hosting government and castle

Hill 352 m

St. Olaf's Church

Historic Tallinn church with prominent medieval spire

Religious Site 386 m