Pärnu Red Tower – Museum and Circular Panoramic Cinema

The Red Tower, built in the southeastern corner of the city wall in the 15th century, was part of the medieval fortifications of Uus-Pärnu and served for many years as the city 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. In the innovative circular panoramic cinema on the tower’s attic floor, visitors can watch a 10-minute animated film about the history of the area, “A Merciless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower”. At its heart is a view from the viewer’s location, spanning from the Ice Age to the present day. The film shows geographical changes in the area where the city now stands and the city’s development, and takes viewers into the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a screening in the circular panoramic cinema and, if desired, a short introduction to the history of the Red Tower by a museum staff member. http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn PLEASE NOTE THAT... ... The Red Tower courtyard can be accessed through the gate on Hommiku Street. From the open gate you can see the courtyard gallery and the tower; please come on in. ... Only a limited number of people can fit in the small tower at one time. Therefore, a purchased ticket allows visitors 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 poses significant accessibility limitations. Before buying a ticket, 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)