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 late 2020, the Red Tower has housed a branch of Pärnu Museum, complementing its permanent exhibition and presenting the history 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 region’s history, “A Ruthless and Merciful History: 15,000 Years in the Red Tower.” The film centres on the view from the visitor’s location, tracing the story from the Ice Age to the present day. It 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 you wish, a short 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. ... Only a limited number of people can fit inside the small tower at one time. For this reason, your ticket allows you to stay in the tower for up to 30 minutes. ... If more than 10 people are planning 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 recommend that groups also book a guided visit programme. ... The medieval tower’s architecture 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).