Pärnu Red Tower Museum and 360° 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 that complements its permanent exhibition and presents 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 the history of the area, “A Ruthless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower”. At its centre is a view from the visitor’s position, spanning the period from the Ice Age to the present day. The film shows geographical changes in the area where the town stands, the town’s development, and several fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a 360° cinema screening and, if you wish, a short introduction to the history of the Red Tower by a museum staff member.

http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn

PLEASE NOTE:

• The courtyard of the Red Tower can be reached 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 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 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.

Contact us: visit@pernau.ee, +372 443 3488 (during the tower’s opening hours)