Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Great Northern War

The island is of Muhu is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway. In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The ) was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between the Muhu Island and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The church was founded by the master of the Livonian Order Otto von Lutterberg in 1267. The church was probably made of wood and only replaced by the current stone building in the final years of the 13th century. A window in the west wall and the base of the altar dates from this period. Somewhat later are the murals. During the Great Northern War in 1640, the church was damaged by a fire. In 1941, it was bombed in a German air raid. and that destroyed the roof. Up to 1958, the church had no roof, which caused immense damage. Before the Reformation, the (then catholic) church was decorated with murals that were found in 1970 under a thick layer of plaster. Unfortunately, the restoration failed at that time, but one of the paintings is still there.

The island is of Muhu is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway. In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The ) was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between the Muhu Island and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The church was founded by the master of the Livonian Order Otto von Lutterberg in 1267. The church was probably made of wood and only replaced by the current stone building in the final years of the 13th century. A window in the west wall and the base of the altar dates from this period. Somewhat later are the murals. During the Great Northern War in 1640 the church was damaged by a fire. In 1941, it was bombed in a German air raid. and that destroyed the roof. Upto 1958 the church had no roof, what caused immense damage. Before the Reformation, the (then catholic) church was decorated with murals that were found in 1970 under a thick layer of plaster. Unfortunately, the restoration failed at that time, but one of the paintings is still there.

The island is of Muhu is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway. In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The ) was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between the Muhu Island and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The church was founded by the master of the Livonian Order Otto von Lutterberg in 1267. The church was probably made of wood and only replaced by the current stone building in the final years of the 13th century. A window in the west wall and the base of the altar dates from this period. Somewhat later are the murals. During the Great Northern War in 1640 the church was damaged by a fire. In 1941, it was bombed in a German air raid. and that destroyed the roof. Upto 1958 the church had no roof, what caused immense damage. Before the Reformation, the (then catholic) church was decorated with murals that were found in 1970 under a thick layer of plaster. Unfortunately, the restoration failed at that time, but one of the paintings is still there.

The island is of Muhu is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway. In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The ) was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between the Muhu Island and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The church was founded by the master of the Livonian Order Otto von Lutterberg in 1267. The church was probably made of wood and only replaced by the current stone building in the final years of the 13th century. A window in the west wall and the base of the altar dates from this period. Somewhat later are the murals. During the Great Northern War in 1640, the church was damaged by a fire. In 1941, it was bombed in a German air raid. and that destroyed the roof. Up to 1958, the church had no roof, which caused immense damage. In 1991, a proper renovation was carried out.

The island is of Muhu is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway. In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The ) was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between the Muhu Island and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The church was founded by the master of the Livonian Order Otto von Lutterberg in 1267. The church was probably made of wood and only replaced by the current stone building in the final years of the 13th century. A window in the west wall and the base of the altar dates from this period. Somewhat later are the murals. During the Great Northern War in 1640 the church was damaged by a fire. In 1941, it was bombed in a German air raid. and that destroyed the roof. Upto 1958 the church had no roof, what caused immense damage. In 1991, a proper renovation was carried out.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum. This is the model showing the massive structure.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. Meanwhile, Kurressare has developed into a small spa town. However, there were not many guests, the kiosk was closed.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. A small wooden church for the orthodox parish existed since about 1747. Empress Catherine II donated the necessary church utensils for Orthodox worship. This church was demolished after the new late classicist stone church was completed in 1790 .

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. This baroque building in the centre of Kuressaare was built in 1663.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The Laurentius Church was built in the 1830s. There were two predecessing churches here, the first of which was destroyed in the Great Northern War and the second burnt to the ground in 1828. The baptismal font comes from Anseküla Church, which burnt down in 1944. It was probably made in Gotland in the 14th century and depicts fantastic animals representing evil spirits.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The Laurentius Church was built in the 1830s. There were two predecessing churches here, the first of which was destroyed in the Great Northern War and the second burnt to the ground in 1828.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The Laurentius Church was built in the 1830s. There were two predecessing churches here, the first of which was destroyed in the Great Northern War and the second burnt to the ground in 1828.