Harju-Madise Church

Padise, Estonia

The first sanctuary on the site was a small wooden construction that was replaced by a stone construction in the 15th century. Because of the unique position on a high shore the church tower was also used as a lighthouse.

The present appearance is mostly from 1500-1700’s. During reconstruction work in 1760-80, the choir, vestry and tower were added to the original building. In middle of nineteenth century the Baltic-German noblemen of Padise (then Padis) and Leetse manors wanted to celebrate the coronation of the new czar, Alexander II, so the tower was built even higher and supported by side pillars. Only the western portal of the original church has been preserved to date.

Inside the church the most outstanding elements are a pulpit carved by Johann Valentin Rabe and a painted shrine donated by the landlord of Põllküla.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Kopli tee, Padise, Estonia

See all sites in Padise

Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Religious sites in Estonia
Historical period: Danish and Livonian Order (Estonia)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

Sirje Soovik (2 years ago)
Everything can be beautiful and practical, Jordan. SUCCESS

Matěj Lošťák (2 years ago)
Today's church dates back to the 15th century, when a stone building replaced an older sanctuary. In the 18th century the church underwent reconstruction when the choir, sacristy and tower were added. During the celebrations of the coronation of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. they had the local nobles of Padis and Leetse raise the tower as a tribute. Due to the good location of the church on the rock, the tower also houses a small lighthouse for ships sailing along the coast. Unfortunately, it was under repair and covered with scaffolding when I visited.

Andrus Liinak (3 years ago)
A very lovely country church located a stone's throw from the beach. There is a lighthouse light in the church tower, which shows the right direction for the ships going to the port of Paldiski.

Mart Kapsta (4 years ago)
Unique view from the altar to the sea :)

toivo tubli (4 years ago)
A fortress church and landmark for sailors with a very special look

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Bengtskär Lighthouse

Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm. On December a special petrol lantern, designed and built in Paris, was brought to Bengtskär and installed atop the tower.

German fleet bombarded Bengstkär in the First World War in 1914. Since the Gulf of Finland was heavily mined, it was not until 1919 that the surrounding seas were declared safe for shipping, that the light was lit again.

After the war the military value of Bengtskär increased as part of the defence system of independent Finland. In Second World War (1941) Soviet Union made a suprise attack to island. After a bloody battle, the small Finnish garrison emerged victorious. Intermittent repairs to the facility continued during the post-war period.