The legend speaks about the owner of Roosa manor, who had promised to build a church if he is saved from a shipwreck. When he had happily escaped the sea, he fulfilled his promise and the first church was built in Roosa in 1735.The current church is the third one in Roosa, built in 1893.The massive quarrystone walls have round-headed windows and brick ornaments, the tower has four sides and triangular gables. The altar-piece is a copy of the ″Christ on the Cross” from the St. Mary's Church in Rõuge and the organ is the first church organ the Kriisa brothers built in 1900.
Come and see one of the biggest and oldest country churches in Estonia – Võnnu St Jacob’s Church. Church was built 1232-1236. The altar of the church is adorned by the painting ‘Christ on the Cross' (Otto von Moeller, 1873). Several buildings of the rectory (19th century) are architectural monuments. The church is surrounded by a 2 ha park established in the beginning of the 19th century.Interesting facts: - the organ of Võnnu Church (1895) is considered one of the clearest sounding instruments in Estonia; - the classicist tomb monument to R von Nolcken, who fell in the Battle of Borodino, can be seen in the church (sculptor Paolo Triscorni).
Pindi Jaani (St. John's) church was built according to the plan by architect J. G. Mühlhausen. The church was consecrated in 1881. A massive tower stands In the western part of the rectangular church, the vestry is in the north-eastern part. The altarpiece is a copy of the one in Rõuge church, "Jesus on the cross" by Rudolf von zur Mühlen. The new organ built by the brothers Kriisa was consecrated in 1903.The grave and monument of Captain Friedrich Vreeman (1894–1919), who was killed in the Estonian War of Independence, are in the church cemetery. Service is held Sundays at 10.30.Useful information: Laine Villenthal, who was the first woman ordained as a minister in Estonia, served in Pindi church until 2004.
St Zachariah’s and St Elizabeth’s Orthodox Church in Räpina is a neo-Classical oblong building consisting of three parts. In the Western part there is a bell tower and in the Eastern part a crescent-shaped apsis. A cupola with a tambour is in the middle of the building. The exterior of the building is in classical style, incorporating cornices and rustic work. Simple iconostasis of the 19th century catches the eye in the interior.
The church dedicated to St. Martin is located on the Estonian Pilgrim Route, which starts from Pirita Monastery and ends at the Vana-Vastseliina Episcopal Castle. There is also a prayer bench in the churchyard.Come and see one of the oldest parish churches in Estonia. You can also can go to the spire, which offers a unique view of the beautiful Lake Võrtsjärv and the surroundings.Good to know:• The Church participates in the Wayfarers Churches and the Night of Churches projects.• The night battle from the feature film Names on a Marble Slab (2002) was filmed in Rannu Church garden.You can visit the church on Sundays during the service or by prior arrangement.
The first stone church was constructed in Rõuge in the 16th century. In 1730, the original church, which was destroyed in the Great Northern War, was replaced with one which had an imposing square tower. The church was blessed in the name of St. Mary. The altar-piece "Christ on the cross" by R. von Mühlen is from 1854. In 1860 the walls were made higher and a mirrored arch was installed. In 1930 the church got a 31-register organ built by the Kriisa brothers. The first Estonian pastor in Rõuge was Rudolf Gottfried Kallas.Useful information! You can attend mass at the church every Sunday at 11:00 and in summer, the church is used as a wayfarers' church. Entrance to the tower is for a fee (grown ups 1.50, children 1 and family ticket 3 euros).
Of the Orthodox churches in Võru County, Ritsiku church in Mõniste is the second oldest (dating back to 1855). The oldest is St Catherine's Church in Võru itself.The church in Ritsiku was consecrated in the name of the prophet John the Baptist. Its name day is celebrated by the congregation every year on 24 June.The congregation was established in 1837. The church was constructed from timber and has a tin roof. It was originally known as Mõniste church, since it was located on the lands of the Mõniste estate. But since it was not in Mõniste itself, it was renamed Ritsiku church in Mõniste.The sacristan and parson did a lot of work in educating the local community. Until 1931 the congregation had its own parish school and three smaller schools.
Vastseliina Castle was built in 1342. The Swedish Army gave the order to build another church outside the walls of the castle as an addition to the Vastseliina Castle Chapel. The new church was consecrated as St. Catherine's Church. The church was destroyed together with the Vastseliina Castle by Russian cannon fire. Another church was built, and construction began on a stone church. Von Liphardt donated an organ made by Kessler and an alter painting by Baron Maydell to the church. Vastseliina Church was reconstructed according to the plans of the architect Pohlmann. In 1911 the church obtained a new organ built by the brothers Kriisa. Church service is held on Sunday.