Pärnu Red Tower Museum and Circular Panoramic Cinema

The Red Tower, built in the southeastern corner of the town wall in the 15th century, was part of the medieval fortifications of New Pärnu and served as the town prison for many years. It is the only surviving defensive tower of the Hanseatic town of New Pärnu and the oldest surviving building in Pärnu. Since the end of 2020, the Red Tower has housed a branch of Pärnu Museum, complementing its permanent exhibition and presenting the story of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu.

On the tower’s attic floor, a modern circular 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.” At its centre is a view from the visitor’s vantage point, spanning the Ice Age to the present day. The film shows geographical changes in the area where the town now stands 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 requested, a short introduction to the history of the Red Tower 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 tower—please come in.
• The small tower can accommodate only a limited number of people at a time. For this reason, your 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 make sure the Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not overlooked, we also recommend that groups book a guided visit programme.
• The medieval tower’s architecture imposes significant accessibility restrictions. 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)