Description of the attraction
Members of the Dominican Order settled in Tallinn in the 13th century. It is known that this order was founded in 1216 by the Spaniard Saint Dominic de Guzman. It is believed that the mother of the founder of the order had a dream before the birth of her son, as if she gave birth to a black and white dog that would light up the whole world with a torch. It is for this reason that Dominic appears in the visual arts with a torch, accompanied by a dog. Hence the name of the order - "domini canes", which means "God's dogs". The mission of the order was to preach the gospel throughout Europe. In 1246, the Dominicans obtained the right to found a monastery in Tallinn.
The site for the construction was chosen very carefully and corresponded to the spiritual and material interests of the monks. To expand its influence, soon after its construction, a school was established at the monastery, where Estonian boys were educated in Latin. The most significant building in a typical monastery complex was the Church of St. Catherine, built around the 14th century. At that time, the 68-meter church building was the largest and most visible in all of Tallinn.
During its existence, the monastery building was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded until the 16th century. However, the monastery was seriously damaged during the Lutheran reformation in 1525, when it was plundered. And in 1531 there was a severe fire in the building, which destroyed the church so much that it became unusable. In 1844, on the site of the monastery refectory, the Church of St. Peter and Paul was built.
Unfortunately, the entire monastery building has not survived to this day. Today, you can see the preserved monastery garden and the surrounding cross passages, a chapel, a dormitory, a monastery barn, a capitulary hall, etc. The Church of St. Catherine has also been partially preserved.
Today, the buildings of the monastery house a museum, as well as the works of medieval Tallinn stone-cutters. It is possible to book a tour of the monastery. On summer days, concerts, various programs, and theatrical performances are often held in the courtyard covered with ivy. There is an “energy pillar” in the basement. It is believed that leaning against it, you can draw physical and spiritual strength.
