Top 8 ghost stories of Tallinn

St. Olav's is a beautiful towering church in Tallinn Old Town that by tradition must be the tallest building in Tallinn's skyline. Today St Olav's is 123.7 metres (406 feet) high, but it was built to be even higher! 

In 16th century, the plan was to build a 159 m (522 feet) high spire. But where to find a builder mad enough to do it? The work was dangerous and city short on money. In all contracts, the city made sure that money would only be paid if the tower was finished. Builders took up the challenge! But, oh misfortune, first one then second then third and altogether seven master-builders fell off the tower to their death. All of a sudden no one was willing to finish the church. It was cursed!

Along came a man who called himself Olav and promised to finish the tower. All he asked was a thousand pieces of gold. All the money the city had left. Tallinn had no choice but to accept the bargain and Olav started to build. He did all the most dangerous work himself and made the spire as high as it was asked. Only one thing was missing - the golden rooster from the top of the tower. Olav himself climbed up under the eyes of the crowd gathered to see him finish his work. 

As the final nail hammed in Olav slipped and fell off the tower. He landed amongst the people, and all saw a snake and a toad crawl out of his mouth. Everyone called it the devil's work! Truly, the tower of St Olaf's is quite unfortunate, it has been struck by lightning many times and burned down to 123.7 m of height. 

This modest house is haunted by the Black Baron. Usually, he is not seen; only the candle he carries walks around, lighting the rooms. Doors unlock on their own, and things go missing all the time here. The Baron though is not a nobleman at all but a goldsmith. Goldsmith of great skill who sold his jewellery both to the upper and lower town. But he also practised black magic, and everything he made was cursed. People who wore his creations died soon after. The goldsmith never found rest having cursed himself along with his works. Needless to say that one should never keep jewellery found lying around in this house. 

The Short-Leg Gate Tower and surrounding houses have a very persistent ghost. People have witnessed huge bloody faces on the walls, life-size ships sailing through the houses, and most commonly a dark monk-like figure, sometimes bloody and sometimes not, praying with a glowing cross on the wall. The monk can be quite violent if he wants. He brakes and hides things but also hits the living: an artist living here in the 1970s said that the monk would come some nights to pull his toes and also to kick him in the ribs. 

Probably the name of the ghost is Justinius, and he wasn't a monk at all. He was a novice set on becoming a monk and was killed in 1233 before he could repent for his sins. And sins he had many because before becoming a man of god Justinius was an executioner's apprentice. A job most disrespected and feared in Medieval society.