Passage of Saint Catherine

This picture-perfect street with a lot of history is often considered the prettiest in Tallinn. The passage of Saint Catherine or Katariina käik winds its way past the southern end of the Dominican Friary of Saint Catherine. The alley took its name from the Saint Catherine’s church, built here more than 700 years ago. On the wall of the church there’s a display of original medieval tombstones. The southern side of the alley is lined with 15-17th century residences that nowadays house the studios and workshops of the Catherine’s Guild. You can watch the artists at work creating ceramics, hats, glass, and more here.

The Dominican monks arrived to Tallinn soon after the 13th century crusades and at first stayed up in Toompea. But soon they were given a large piece of land on the outskirts of the city on the edge of the path leading to the port. This spot was outside the initial city walls. Of course the shoreline and port were much closer to the city at that time. The monks offered different kinds of assistance to the city folk. They assisted in getting blessing from the Lord and caring for the soul. A more practical assistance was given when someone needed to write a letter to someone. Most likely the person in need would have been illiterate!

When the Reformation reached Tallinn in 1524, an angry crowd invaded the church and forced the monks to leave the city. The monastery was destroyed and properties of the order now considered a property of the city. Soon after, the church and a part of the other buildings were badly damaged in a fire. Afterwards they were inhabited by the poor and the homeless. Nowasdays the former church is used as a venue for different events.