Pärnu Red Tower Museum and 360° Cinema

The Red Tower, built in the southeastern corner of the city wall in the 15th century, was part of the medieval fortifications of New Pärnu and served as the city 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 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, visitors can watch a 10-minute animated film about local history in a 360° cinema: “A Ruthless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower.” The film centres on the view from the visitor’s location, spanning the Ice Age to the present day. It shows geographical changes at the site of the city and its development, and takes viewers into the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a 360° cinema screening and, if desired, a brief introduction to the Red Tower’s history 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 the tower—please come in.
• The small tower can accommodate only a limited number of people at a time. A purchased ticket therefore allows a stay in the tower 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 overlooked, we also recommend that groups book a guided visit programme.
• The medieval tower’s architecture places significant limitations on accessibility. 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).