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 the medieval fortifications of Uus-Pärnu and served for many years as the town prison. It is the only surviving defensive tower of the Hanseatic town of Uus-Pärnu and the oldest surviving building in Pärnu. Since the end of 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 shows a 10-minute animated film about local history, “A Ruthless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower”. At its heart is a view from the visitor’s position, spanning from the Ice Age to the present day. The film shows geographical changes in the area where the town stands and the town’s development, and takes viewers into the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a circular panoramic cinema screening and, if desired, a short introduction to the Red Tower’s history by a museum staff member. http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn PLEASE NOTE THAT... ... 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. ... The small tower can accommodate only a limited number of people at a 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 the same time, please contact us in advance. To ensure that the Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not overlooked, we recommend that groups also book a guided visit programme. ... The medieval tower’s architecture places significant limits on accessibility. Before buying tickets, 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)