Pärnu Red Tower – Museum and Circular Panoramic Cinema

The Red Tower, built in the 15th century at the southeastern corner of the town wall, 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 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, a new circular panoramic cinema screens a 10-minute animated film about the local 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 town and its development, and brings visitors into the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a screening in the circular panoramic cinema 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 THAT... ... 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. ... The small tower can accommodate only a limited number of people at a 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 make sure the Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not overlooked, we recommend that groups also book a guided visit programme. ... The architecture of the medieval tower places significant limits on accessibility. Before buying a ticket, please make sure that 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).