One step forward or misspelling of a word – and you are in another city in another state. How it is even possible to work in one country and meet friends in a completely different place? These are Valga and Valka – two parts of one city, split by a border of Estonia and Latvia. The borderline is in the main place, where St. John’s Church is situated.

The stoned Lutheran church was built in 1816 by an architect Christoph Haberland and is considered as the only Estonian baroque church of oval form. It has several different styles, because of its long 30-years construction. The mix of the later baroque and classicism, specific shape and the location of a bell tower on the side make this place unique. From afar it looks like the theater or the concert hall.

The interior is quite modest. The walls and the benches are of light wood. Two beautiful pictures decorate the altar. But what is most important – the organ of a German master Friedrich Ladegast. His works of art are worldwide famous. One of the best organs in Europe was made in 1967 and today it is regularly used in the church.