Pärnu Red Tower Museum and 360° Cinema

Built in the 15th century at the southeastern corner of the city wall, the Red Tower was part of the medieval fortifications of Uus-Pärnu and served as the city 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 modern 360° cinema screens a 10-minute animated film about local 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. It shows geographical changes in the area where the city stands and the city’s development, and brings visitors into the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a 360° 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 is accessed through the gate on Hommiku Street. From the open gate you can see the courtyard gallery and the tower—feel free to come in. Only a limited number of people can be inside the small tower at one time. Therefore, a purchased ticket permits a visit of up to 30 minutes. If more than 10 people plan to visit the tower at once, please contact us in advance. To make sure the Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not missed, we also recommend that groups book a guided visit programme. The medieval tower’s architecture imposes 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).