Tallinn, Estonia: Cat's Well

Here's a story about part of Old Tallinn that we didn't know at the time. After all, it looks like just a well, right?

In the Medieval days, this was one of the major sources of water for Tallinn. The catch came when some of the residents somehow decided that evil spirits were lurking inside of the well.

Their response was typical of the times: animal sacrifices. Stray cats were picked up and thrown down the hole, often before they were dead. Some sheep and cattle carcasses also made the plunge.

I guess the plan worked, because the well never ran out of water. But it didn't do much for water quality, and people stopped using it for water in the middle of the 1800s.

Happily, the water in town now tastes fine.

Be notified of new posts via Twitter @WDX2BB.