Pärnu Red Tower – Museum and 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 of Pärnu Museum that complements the museum’s permanent exhibition and tells the story of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu. In the innovative panoramic cinema on the tower’s attic floor, visitors can watch a 10-minute animated film about local history, “A Ruthless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower.” The film centres on the view from the visitor’s position, spanning the Ice Age to the present day. It shows geographical changes in the area and the city’s development, and takes viewers into the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a panoramic cinema screening and, if requested, a brief introduction to the Red Tower’s history by a museum employee.

http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn

PLEASE NOTE:

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

... Only a limited number of people can fit in the small tower at one time. Therefore, a purchased ticket allows a stay in the tower of 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 overlooked, we also recommend that groups book a guided 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).