Tour of the Fascinating Patarei Sea Fortress (in Estonian)

The Estonian Centre of Architecture’s tour programme offers the chance to visit an architectural gem with a fascinating history for a little while longer, before it closes for major reconstruction. On this exclusive tour, we will open the heavy doors and winding corridors of Kalaranna Fort. The tour takes visitors to places that have never been accessible to the public. Kalaranna Fort has been known by various names and served different functions throughout its history.

Under a defence plan approved by Emperor Alexander I in 1820, construction of a line of fortifications around Tallinn began under his successor, Emperor Nicholas I, and work on Kalaranna Fort started in 1830. The completed fort was imposing: its seaward walls are approximately 2 metres thick, and the three seaward floors of the defensive structure contained a total of 72 larger and 18 smaller casemates. The main part of the fortress consists of a sharply angled, two-winged building on the landward side and a curved building on the seaward side, intended as the inner fortification.

By the mid-19th century, Kalaranna Fort had lost its military importance, and the complex was converted into barracks, which at times housed more than several thousand soldiers. After the Estonian War of Independence, Tallinn faced a severe shortage of prison space. The Ministry of Justice at the time considered the complex underused by the military, so a prison was established in the former fort and barracks. The institution, called the Central Prison, quickly became known colloquially as Patarei Prison. The prison era is also associated with the building’s most colourful and recent history, and with the most extraordinary stories that tour guides share with participants.

The Estonian Centre of Architecture’s tour programme offers a glimpse inside the Sea Fortress at this fascinating moment, as the complex undergoes transformation, and a last chance to experience much of what will soon no longer be possible to see in its present form. Today, US Real Estate OÜ is developing the complex and surrounding area under the name Patarei Sea Fortress. Its vision is to make the complex Tallinn’s new seaside heart, landmark and lifeline, with commercial premises, apartments, shops, a food street and entertainment venues.

The tour of Patarei Sea Fortress lasts 90 minutes. Tours are held in Estonian and Russian. The tours organised by the Estonian Centre of Architecture are led by some of Estonia’s best professional guides, united by their interest in architecture and its history. The Centre of Architecture arranges private tours for interested groups at locations across Estonia, in six languages. To enquire, please email info@archtours.ee.

Find the schedules for tours in Estonian here, tours in Russian here, and tours in English here. Explore the Estonian Centre of Architecture’s other tours and opportunities too. Get news and follow our activities on Facebook.