Valyala, Saaremaa

58° 24′ 29″ N, 22° 47′ 20″ E

The church of St. Martin  was founded in 1227 as a chapel opposite the Estonian settlement. After 1240 it was rebuilt into a fortified church, which became an outpost of the Crusaders in the region. The temple was dedicated to St. Martin. It was badly destroyed during the Estonian uprising in 1343. It was rebuilt by Swedish craftsmen from Warnem Abbey.  The church has a beautiful decor and expressive appearance, symbolizing the history of the Crusaders with its austere power.

Tags: castles and fortresses, 13 century, 14 century, Teutonic Order (Livonia), The paths of the Teutonic knights: Livonia in the 13th century, Estonia, Baltic region, By way of the crusaders in Saaremaa Estonia