Pärnu Red Tower Museum and Circular Panorama Cinema

Built in the 15th century at the southeast corner of the city wall, the Red Tower was part of medieval New Pärnu’s fortifications and served as the city prison for many years. It is the only surviving defensive tower of the Hanseatic city 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 its permanent exhibition and tells the story of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu.

On the tower’s attic floor, a modern circular panorama cinema screens a 10-minute animated film about the area’s history: “A Merciless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower.” The film centres on the view from the visitor’s location, from 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 screening in the circular panorama 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:

• 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. Your ticket therefore 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 ensure 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 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).