Pärnu Red Tower – Museum and 360° Panoramic Cinema

Built in the 15th century at the southeast corner of the city wall, the Red Tower was part of the medieval fortifications of Uus-Pärnu and served as the city 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 the end of 2020, a branch supplementing the permanent exhibition of Pärnu Museum has operated in the Red Tower, introducing visitors to the history of the former prison tower and medieval Pärnu. On the tower’s attic floor, a new 360° panoramic cinema screens 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 centre is the view from the visitor’s location, from the Ice Age to the present day. We see geographical changes in the area where the city stands and the city’s development, and find ourselves amid fascinating historical events. The ticket includes a 360° panoramic cinema screening and, if requested, a brief introduction to the history of the Red Tower by a museum staff member. http://www.parnumuuseum.ee/torn PLEASE NOTE THAT... ... 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—please come in. ... Only a limited number of people can fit inside 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 Red Tower’s fascinating stories are not overlooked, we recommend that groups also book a guided programme. ... The architecture of the medieval tower presents significant accessibility limitations. Before purchasing 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)