ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH IN LAANEMAA - A FORTIFIED CHURCH?

It has been traditionally claimed that St. Michael's Church in Laanemaa was built, along with its vaults, in the late 13th century, and that it was a fortified church - the attic above the vaults could be used as a hiding place in case of emergency. Research during the last few years has revealed that the story of the church's construction includes two longer periods. The original church had a wooden ceiling. The vaults were not added until the Late Middle Ages. A similar support system was also used in the Keila and Johvi churches in Northern Estonia. Based thereon, it can be assumed that the reconstruction of St. Michael's Church occurred around 1500. It has also become clear that it was not a fortified church.