TALLINN - The Tallinn city government has sparked anger in Christian communities by refusing to return several world famous holy sites to the Lutheran Church.
The Niguliste museum and concert hall, Neitsitorn (Virgin tower), Tallitorn (Barn tower) and Luhikese Jala Varavatorn (Short leg gate tower) are world heritage sites and popular tourist attractions. The city government's proposal is to keep the buildings as state property.
"The Niguliste museum and concert hall is an important cultural object to the Republic of Estonia and Tallinn and according to the possession rights provision it is not possible to not return the object because of that," said Kaia Jappinen, vice mayor of Tallinn.
The Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church has campaigned for years that Niguliste Church, a building which is state owned and currently being used as an art Museum, should be made a church property.
Up until now neither the Tallinn City Committee nor the local government have made a firm decision on whether to return the church or not. There was a suggestion that the state and the Lutheran Church should be co-owners.
If the church had been given back to the Lutheran congregation all the art would have to be removed if it is not of a religious nature.
Ironically, the Lutheran congregation wants keep art which was there before 1941 when the church became state property.
Niguliste Church houses a fragment of Bernt Natke "Dance of Death" one of the best known art pieces in Estonia.
The Church is rich with other precious artwork, some made of silver including historical altars and paintings.
The Science Council of Estonian Art Museum is campaigning to keep the church as state property. They claim that Niguliste Church was mostly destroyed in 1944. They have stated around 90 percent old church no longer exists and it is unfair and unethical for the Lutheran congregation to refer to their historical rights.
The Ministry of Culture and Estonian Art Museum maintain the church has never been the property of the Lutheran congregation, a view held by some legal experts.
"It hasn't been deprived wrongfully, so there is basis to return or compensate it," a lawyer from Eiche & Partners, which specializes in property law, said.
Lutheran bishop Andres Poder told Postimees that they still hoped to get the church back and at the moment they are waiting for the national government final decision.
Minister of Culture Laine Janes said in October 2007 that she is still considering the matter. The issue has not been before Parliament yet.
