Access to cathedral ruins to be restricted

This week, barriers will be installed around the ruins of the Tartu Cathedral to prevent movement in the immediate vicinity of the ruins. The condition of the cathedral ruins has gradually deteriorated over the years, and it may not be safe to be under or near the walls of the ruins.

“During maintenance work carried out this spring, it became clear that the condition of the ruins could deteriorate during the next cold period, so we commissioned an expert assessment to determine the actual condition of the ruins. The external expert recommended restricting access to the ruins to ensure visitor safety, as stones and debris may fall from the walls,” said Heiki Pagel, Head of the University of Tartu Estates Office.

The expert assessment, completed this autumn, does not recommend staying under or in the immediate vicinity of the ruins' walls. Restricting access is necessary to ensure the safety of all visitors.

In the spring of 2026, the walls will be re-examined during maintenance work, as winter weather conditions affect their condition. Based on currently available information, access to the ruins will remain restricted until the ruins have been conserved. This will halt their further deterioration.

The university plans to draw up a conservation plan together with its partners and begin implementing it in stages. So far, the university has carried out regular maintenance work, but no major conservation work has been undertaken in the last couple of decades.

The museum remains open to visitors, and it is still possible to view the walls. The towers of the cathedral can be visited during the summer period, as always, from May to September. The light art installation created for the Tartu 2024 European Capital of Culture programme also continues to be displayed.

The installation of the barriers begins on 19 November and takes a week. Rope barriers supported by wooden piles will be installed along the walls of the ruins.