Fire, flood or disaster · 16.06.1820
St Olaf's Church fire
Tallinn's tallest church tower has been struck by lightning at least eight times. On 16 June 1820 lightning set a corner turret alight and the fire spread through the spire. After about four hours the main tower crashed onto the sexton's house, and the interior, including a fine organ from 1771, was destroyed. Only the walls and the church library, hidden in the sacristy vaults, survived. The church had burned in the same way in 1625. It was restored by 1840, and its 124-metre tower remains a city landmark with a viewing platform.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
Tallinna kõrgeimat kirikutorni on välk tabanud vähemalt kaheksa korda. 16. juunil 1820 süütas välk nurgatornikese ja tuli levis kogu tornikiivrisse. Umbes nelja tunni pärast varises peatorn köstrimaja peale ning hävis kiriku sisustus, sealhulgas 1771. aasta uhke orel. Alles jäid vaid müürid ja käärkambri võlvide all peidus olnud kirikuraamatukogu. Samamoodi oli kirik põlenud 1625. aastal. 1840. aastaks see taastati ning 124-meetrine torn on siiani linna maamärk ja vaateplatvorm.