The ruins of St. Birgitta's Monastery are located 6 kilometres east of old Tallinn. This neighbourhood is called Pirita and is one of the most prestigious in the city. This quiet, peaceful place is a great place to regain peace of mind. On the way to this quiet place, you will feel a state of tranquillity. The road to the monastery runs along the coast along the seaside boulevard and Kadriorg Park, along the way there are wonderful views of the water surface and the spires of the old town - all this will calm you down, put your thoughts and feelings in order and energise you.The monastery was founded in 1407 with the support of 3 wealthy merchants from Tallinn. The building belonged to the Order of St Birgitta in Sweden. The order was named after the Swedish woman Brigitta Gudmarsson, who was canonised in 1391. By its architecture the monastery looked like a typical sacral building of those times in the late Gothic style. The monastery was originally a wooden building, which was replaced by a stone one in the first half of the 15th century. The completion and consecration of the monastery dates back to 1436.
A peculiarity is that both monks and nuns lived in the monastery, and their paths did not cross. In the building, male and female quarters were located separately and separated by two courtyards. Nuns lived in the northern part of St Birgitta's monastery and monks lived in the southern part. Even during services, the monks were directly in the church, while the female part of the Lord's servants were located on a special balcony.
.Unfortunately, the history of the monastery is short, it did not last even two centuries. In 1577, during the Livonian War, the sacral building was destroyed and only the ruins of the monastery have survived to this day. In particular, today we can observe only rectangular church walls. The area in front of the monastery was used as a cemetery. The limestone crosses still standing in rows in front of the monastery ruins date back to the century before last.
.Nowadays, the ruins of the monastery have become a unique attraction and a great place for a holiday. Every year the monastery day is celebrated here, held together with a traditional open-air fair. The majestic ruins are also a venue for concerts and excursions.
In 2001, a new building was built next to the ruins and became home to the nuns of the Order of St Birgitta. The new monastery has a small hotel, where not only Catholics can stay.
