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 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 complementing the permanent exhibition of Pärnu Museum, where visitors can learn about the former prison tower and the history of medieval Pärnu. On the tower’s attic floor, a state-of-the-art 360° cinema screens a 10-minute animated film about the area’s history: “A Merciless and Merciful History. 15,000 Years in the Red Tower”. At the heart of the film is the view from the viewer’s location, from the Ice Age to the present day. We see geographical changes in the area where the town stands and the town’s development, and find ourselves amid exciting historical events. The ticket includes a 360° cinema screening and, if requested, a short 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; feel free to come in.

... Only a limited number of people can be inside the small tower at any 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 the same time, please contact us in advance. To make sure the Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not overlooked, we also recommend that groups book a visit programme.

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