The Pirita Convent was founded in 1407 as a monastery of the Order of Saint Birgitta (the Brigittines) and was one of the wealthiest religious houses in medieval Livonia. In 1577, during Ivan the Terrible's invasion of Estonia, Russian forces burned and sacked it. The convent was never rebuilt; the roofless Gothic nave has stood open to the sky ever since.
Today the ruin is well preserved and open to visitors year-round. The roofless nave is used for concerts and cultural events in summer — the natural acoustics created by the stone walls are excellent, and performances here have become a Tallinn summer tradition. The convent stands at the mouth of the Pirita River, a short walk from the beach.