Kirbla Püha Nikolause kirik (Kolga-Jaani) | temple, interesting place, listed building / architectural heritage, lutheran church/kirk, place of worship, 14th century construction, tourist attraction

 temple, interesting place, listed building / architectural heritage, lutheran church/kirk, place of worship, 14th century construction, tourist attraction

It dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. The church has simple architecture without vaults, towers or choirs. Apparently, the vaults were built in the late 14th century. Both the sacramental niche and the ritual vessel for washing hands in the eastern wall date back to the Middle Ages. The church suffered from numerous wars, but its vaults still survived. After the Northern War, the church received a roof only in 1742. According to legend, the Kolga-Jaani Church was accidentally found in a dense forest by hunters when, having lit a fire on some hill, they discovered that they were on the church ceiling. Popular rumor claims that during the war, people found shelter from robbers and wild animals under the vaults of the church. In 1875, the western tower was built. From 1890 to 1917, the head of the parish was Willem Reiman, one of the leaders of the national movement.