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Photo: Toomas Tuul

    Ruins of Bridgettine Convent

    MuseumsSights
    For a unique, historic experience, explore the eerily beautiful ruins of St. Bridget's, a medieval convent destroyed in 1577.

    Founded in 1407 as part of a Swedish religious order, St. Bridget's was the largest convent in the Livonian territories and operated until the Livonian War, when it was decimated by the forces of Ivan the Terrible. The most striking feature that remains is a mysterious, 35-metre gabled facade towering above the trees next to Pirita River.

    In addition to its facade, visitors to the ruins can see several walls, staircases and cellars, as well as a farmer's cemetery that developed here in the 17th century.

    The walls of the main structure are still standing, making it an excellent venue for outdoor performances. The spot is often used for concerts, most notably those of the Birgitta Festival, which happens here each August.

    Nearby is the modern building of the St. Bridgettine Order, who re-established a convent here in 2001.


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    TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews

    TripAdvisor logo tripadvisor rating 4.5 of 5

    based on 315 reviews

    • Historic attraction at the seaside

      tripadvisor rating 5 of 5
      November 26, 2021 By jenningsd

      2€ will gain you access to the extensive ruin that at one time housed both nuns and monks under one roof. We visited in the winter months and were the only people on site which felt strange and... Read more comments

    • Very interesting site on the outskirts of Tallinn

      tripadvisor rating 5 of 5
      September 29, 2021 By Fudgemellow

      The ruins are accessible with a €2 ticket bought from the vending machine outside. The ruins were much larger and more elaborate than I had expected. It was nice to be able to walk around everywhere... Read more comments

    • Nice destination if you want to see more than the Old Town

      tripadvisor rating 5 of 5
      September 22, 2020 By JulieF2978

      The Pirita convent in ruins is a nice building to be visited, specially if you're willing to see more of Tallinn than just the Old Town. Beautiful construction, and the surrounding neighborhood is... Read more comments