Pärnu Red Tower Museum and 360° Cinema

The Red Tower, built in the southeast corner of the town wall in the 15th century, was part of the medieval fortifications of Uus-Pärnu and served as the town prison for many years. It is the only surviving defensive tower of the Hanseatic town of Uus-Pärnu and the oldest surviving building in Pärnu. Since late 2020, the Red Tower has housed a branch of Pärnu Museum, complementing its permanent exhibition and presenting the story of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu. In the tower’s attic, a modern 360° cinema shows a 10-minute animated film about local history, “A Merciless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower.” At its heart is the view from the visitor’s position, spanning the Ice Age to the present day. The film shows geographical changes in the area and the town’s 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 history of the Red Tower by a museum staff member.

http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn

PLEASE NOTE:

The courtyard of the Red Tower 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.

Only a limited number of people can fit in the small tower at one time. Therefore, 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 ensure that the Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not overlooked, we also recommend that groups book a guided visit programme.

The architecture of this medieval tower places significant restrictions on accessibility. Before purchasing 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)