Pärnu Red Tower Museum and 360° Panoramic Cinema

Built in the 15th century at the southeastern corner of the city wall, the Red Tower was part of the fortifications of medieval Uus-Pärnu and served as the city prison for many years. It is the only surviving defensive tower of the Hanseatic city of Uus-Pärnu and the oldest surviving building in Pärnu. Since late 2020, the Red Tower has housed a branch complementing the permanent exhibition of Pärnu Museum, presenting the story of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu. On the tower’s attic floor, a new 360° panoramic cinema screens a 10-minute animated film about the region’s history, “A Merciless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower”. The film centres on the view from the visitor’s location, from the Ice Age to the present day. We see geographical changes in the area where the city stands and the city’s development, and find ourselves in the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a screening in the panoramic cinema and, if you wish, a short introduction to the Red Tower’s history by a museum staff member.

http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn

PLEASE NOTE…

… The courtyard of the Red Tower is accessed through the gate on Hommiku Street. From the open gate you can see the courtyard gallery and tower; feel free to come in.

… Only a limited number of people can fit in the small tower at one time. For this reason, a purchased ticket allows you to stay in the tower for up to 30 minutes.

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

… The architecture of this medieval tower places significant limitations on accessibility. Before buying a ticket, we recommend making 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)