Pärnu Red Tower – Museum and 360° 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 town 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 that complements the museum’s permanent exhibition and presents the history of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu. In the innovative 360° panoramic cinema on the tower’s attic floor, visitors can watch a 10-minute animated film about the history of the area, “A Ruthless 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 city and the city’s development, and takes viewers into the midst of fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a 360° panoramic cinema screening and, if desired, a brief introduction to the history of the Red Tower by a museum employee. http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn PLEASE NOTE THAT... ... The courtyard of the Red Tower can be 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. For this reason, 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 ensure that the fascinating stories of the Red Tower are not overlooked, we recommend that groups also book a guided programme. ... The architecture of the medieval tower imposes significant limitations 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)