St. Nicholas' Church & Museum

I recently visited Niguliste in Tallinn again, and I want to share my impressions. This is a place that you must see if you are interested in history, art, and music. The church was built in the 14th century and is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of sailors and merchants. Over time, many changes have taken place here, but Niguliste has preserved the majestic atmosphere of medieval architecture. Its high vaults, stone walls, and the sense of calm are felt immediately upon entering. Inside, there is my favourite and unique collection of paintings, including the famous “Dance of Death” (Danse Macabre) by Bernt Notke, which leaves a strong impression and makes you stop and study it closely. In addition to this, there are many works by medieval masters, as well as a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of Tallinn. Beyond the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions are often held, featuring contemporary art, photography, and sculpture. Each visit reveals something new and interesting. The organ concerts make a particularly strong impression. The sounds of the old organ fill the space, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. From the church tower, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Old Town

One of Tallinn's most significant 13th-century medieval churches, dedicated to St. Nicholas - patron saint of seafarers. Now a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia with sacred art. Main treasure is Bernt Notke's famous painting "Dance of Death" (Danse Macabre) from late 15th century, one of few surviving works of this genre in Europe. The altar "Passion of Christ" by a Lübeck master is also impressive. Special atmosphere in the church, excellent acoustics - organ concerts are held here. A must-visit for medieval art lovers.

Unique museum of medieval art in a former church. Some great altarpieces by early Netherlandish artists. Includes a trip up the tower (by stairs or elevator), with wonderful views of Tallinn. Definitely worth a visit!

St. Nicholas’ Church is a must-visit for anyone interested in history or art. Beautifully restored after wartime damage, it now serves as both a church and an art museum, showcasing remarkable medieval religious art, including the famous “Dance of Death” painting. The Gothic architecture is breathtaking, and the acoustics make it a popular venue for concerts — a truly special experience if you get the chance to attend one. Peaceful, inspiring, and full of history — St. Nicholas’ Church captures the heart of Tallinn’s cultural heritage.

Very impressive ex-church with a great view from the tower. The lift is entirely glass but very slow so not scared - the attached video is 2x speed

The highlight of the visit was the view of the Old Town from the viewing platform which can be reached by a lift within the church ( or take the steps). Some of the exhibits were interesting but you probably won’t spend too long here. There’s part of a canvas-painted work depicting the Dance of Death, some homeless bells and a fabulous modern stained glass window.

This is a cool Church to go inside and the viewing platform gives some lovely views. I wouldn't have paid for this separately, but it's included in the Tallin card you can buy from the Tourist information shop, really excellent value for money & I'd highly recommend. The lift can only take 5 people at a time, so the queue doesn't go down that quickly, so plan in some extra time for your visit.

The church and museum contain religious artifacts, including a stunning macabre painting. Apart from the macabre, I found it all a bit boring. It was also crowded with a tour, which made it hard to appreciate the building as a whole. You are able to visit the different floors in the tower by lift or stairs, of which there are 233 steps. The lift took a long time due to the number of people using it. I gave up and used the stairs. The top floor has stunning views over Tallinn and is definitely worth a visit. The outside of the building is beautiful. As a note, there is a small children's playground behind the building. You need to buy a ticket to enter. The Tallinn Card is accepted here. There are toilets, these were clean. There was, also, a souvenir shop. Bags need to be left in lockers. These were free to use. The building is wheelchair accessible. There are disability toilets. They have put guideways in for sight impaired people at the ticket desk, cloakroom, and disabled toilets.