War and destruction
· Vanalinn
The Great Fires of St Olaf’s Church
Fire repeatedly destroyed parts of St Olaf’s tower; its great height left it especially exposed to lightning.
Rising high above the town, St Olaf’s tower was both a source of civic pride and a vulnerable target for lightning. Major fires damaged it repeatedly and forced successive rebuilding. A burning tower would have been visible throughout the city and far beyond it. Its history therefore tells more than an architectural story: it shows how difficult fire was to contain in a densely built town.
Practical information
Address: Lai 50
View the tower from Lai Street and compare its height with the surrounding roofs. Traces of earlier fires may not be obvious from outside.