Pärnu Red Tower – Museum and Circular Panoramic Cinema

Built in the 15th century at the southeastern corner of the city wall, the Red Tower 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 local area’s history, “A Ruthless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower.” At its heart is a view from the viewer’s location, spanning the Ice Age to the present day. The film shows geographical changes in the area where the city 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 brief introduction to the Red Tower’s history 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 walk in.

... Only a limited number of people can fit in the small tower at one time. For this reason, a purchased ticket allows you to spend up to 30 minutes in the tower.

... If more than 10 people plan to visit the tower at the same time, 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 the medieval tower imposes 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)