Pöide Maarja Church

Pöide Maarja Church is a fortified church probably completed in the 1230s. Only the lower part of the sidewalls of the two central vaults of the present church has survived. At the end of the 13th or early 14th century, the original church was extended by a vault in both directions. The imposing western tower of the church probably also dates from before the St. George's night uprising (1343-1345). After the conservation work in the Muhu church in 1958, roofing and conservation work was also undertaken in the Pöide church. The works were completed in 1961.

About this building

Key Features

  • Architecture

Other nearby buildings

Wikimedia Commons/Ivo Kruusamägi

Muhu Church

The church of Muhu was built in the early Gothic style, probably in the 13th century. The present church owes much to a reconstruction in 1738 after it was destroyed during the Great Northern War. Given the church's few narrow windows and other architectural features, it is assumed that the church was built for defence purposes.

Wikimedia Commons/MinuHiiumaa

Karja Church

The church of Karja was built in the fourth quarter of the 13th or early 14th century by masters from Ojamaa (Gotland). Even before the construction of the stone church, already in 1254, there was a wooden church in Karja. Until 1896 the clergy was composed of Baltic Germans. The first Estonian clergyman was Karl Wöhrmann in 1896-1926.

Wikimedia Commons

Valjala Church

The church in Valjala is the oldest preserved stone church in Estonia. It was built from 1227, at the time of the Livonia Crusades (13th century). In the third quarter of the 13th century, the small church of that time was transformed into a fortified church. The defensive church contains both Romanesque and Gothic elements. In 1922, thunderstruck the church and burnt the baroque helmet of the tower.