Pärnu Red Tower – Museum and Circular Panoramic Cinema

Built in the 15th century at the southeastern corner of the town wall, the Red Tower was part of medieval Uus-Pärnu’s fortifications and served as the town prison for many years. It is the only surviving defensive tower of the Hanseatic town of Uus-Pärnu and the oldest surviving building in Pärnu.

Since late 2020, the Red Tower has housed a branch of Pärnu Museum that complements the museum’s permanent exhibition and tells the story of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu. On the tower’s attic floor, a new circular panoramic cinema screens a 10-minute animated film about the area’s history: “A Merciless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower”. At its centre is a view from the visitor’s position, tracing the story from the Ice Age to the present day. The film shows geographical changes in the area and the town’s development, and takes viewers into the midst of fascinating historical events.

The ticket includes a screening in the circular panoramic cinema and, if desired, a short introduction to the Red Tower’s history by a museum staff member.

http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn

PLEASE NOTE:

The Red Tower courtyard is accessed through the gate on Hommiku Street. From the open gate you can see the courtyard gallery and the tower—please come on in.

The small tower can accommodate only a limited number of people at a time. A ticket therefore allows you to stay in the tower for up to 30 minutes.

If more than 10 people plan to visit the tower at the same time, please contact us in advance. To ensure the Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not missed, we also recommend that groups book a guided visit programme.

The medieval tower’s architecture presents significant accessibility limitations. Before buying a ticket, please make sure that the narrow, steep stairs and high thresholds will not prevent you from visiting the Red Tower.

Contact us: visit@pernau.ee, +372 443 3488 (during the tower’s opening hours)