Niguliste Museum

Overview

Niguliste Museum occupies the restored 13th-century St. Nicholas' Church, now a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia dedicated to medieval ecclesiastical art. Its crown jewel is a fragment of Bernt Notke's haunting Danse Macabre, one of the most important medieval paintings in Northern Europe.

Highlights

• Danse Macabre: Bernt Notke's late 15th-century masterpiece depicting Death dancing with representatives of all social classes.
• Silver Chamber: A dazzling collection of medieval and early-modern silver treasures from Tallinn's churches and guilds.
• Organ Concerts: Regular concerts on the church's historic organ take full advantage of the building's extraordinary acoustics.

History

The original church was built by Westphalian merchants in the 13th century and expanded over the following centuries. It was badly damaged during the Soviet bombing of Tallinn in 1944 and meticulously restored over decades, reopening as a museum and concert hall in 1984.

Visitor Tips

• Duration: 45–60 minutes.
• Concerts: Check the schedule for Saturday organ concerts — they are exceptional.
• Closed: Monday and Tuesday.