Sangaste church tower ball yields no historical finds

The ball and rooster from the tower of Sangaste Church were taken down during renovation work on Sunday, but an inspection found no historical material, ERR reported.

The wooden tower spire had been lowered to the ground two weeks earlier. Sangaste congregation pastor Tanel Meiel said workers are replacing the spire and checking its structure. This is the third stage of the work. Once the tower is ready, it will be lifted back into place, with the rooster at the top and the ball below it. Both will be inspected, painted gold and have their bullet holes repaired, Meiel said.

An initial inspection found signs that the ball had been opened and resealed in the past. Congregation board chairman Jüri Teder said the sphere beneath the rooster may also have been tampered with, with traces suggesting it was cut open. The rooster has bullet holes inside and has been damaged by corrosion.

Teder said there are openings at the edges where a small camera can be inserted. The renovation of the church tower is expected to cost nearly 100,000 euros.