LOCATION OF THE MUSEUM BUILDING
The Red Tower is located in Pärnu Old Town at Hommiku 11.Access to the Red Tower is only from Hommiku Street.
! Please note that the medieval architecture of the Red Tower places significant limitations on accessibility.
OPENING HOURS
The Red Tower is open as follows:
- May 1 – August 31: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00
- Summer period (usually June 20 – August 20): 10:00–19:00
- September 1 – April 30: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00
ARRIVAL AND PARKING
If arriving by bus, get off at Pärnu bus station.Bicycles can be locked to the rack in the courtyard of the Red Tower.
If arriving by car, access is only via Malmö Street turning onto Hommiku Street, which is one-way.
Parking is free for one hour on the left side of Hommiku Street, but spaces are often limited.
ENTERING THE MUSEUM
The Red Tower can only be entered from Hommiku Street.Walk through the open gates into a rectangular courtyard (approx. 25 metres to the entrance).
The courtyard is enclosed by walls about 2 metres high and paved with limestone slabs.
On the wall to your left, there is usually an outdoor exhibition with texts in Estonian and English.
Straight ahead, there is a large black, over life-sized boardgame (Mill Game). Instructions are on the wall in Estonian and English;
Finnish and Russian instructions are available in the game piece boxes.
You may view the exhibition and play the game free of charge when the gates are open.
Please return the game pieces after use.Note that they are quite heavy.
There is only one entrance door to the tower.
There is a loose doormat in front of the door.
The door opens outward to the right and has a heavy forged ring handle.
In damp weather, the door may be difficult to open.
To the left of the door is a sign with opening hours.
- If there is a notice with a time displayed, a group is likely inside, the door is locked, and you may need to wait.
- If there is no notice and you need assistance, knock on the door or call +372 443 3488.
Upon entering, continue straight ahead. You will first reach a narrow vestibule with a mat. From there, step down (approx. 10 cm) to the circular reception level (1st floor).
Proceed to the ticket desk.
The visitor assistant can help you choose the correct ticket and introduce current exhibitions and offers.Feel free to ask additional questions and guidance about the exhibitions and accessibility.
Visitor assistants generally speak Estonian and English, and in some cases also Russian and Finnish.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VISITING THE MUSEUM
Guide dogs for visually impaired visitors are welcome.Other pets are not allowed.
Please note, that upper floors are not accessible by wheelchair:
- Access to the second floor is only via a narrow staircase inside the medieval wall with 23 (stone) steps. A thick rope on the right serves as a handrail.
- The attic level is accessed via a modern metal staircase with 18 open steps and a metal handrail on the right.
- Both staircases turn (stone staircase to the left, metal staircase to the right).
TICKETS
Admission is free for persons with disabilities under 16 and their companion, and for persons aged 16 and over with severe or profound disabilities and their companion. Eligibility must be proven with a disability card.Free admission is also granted to:
- Children aged 8 and under
- Members of ICOM
- Holders of an International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) press card or journalists by prior arrangement
- Museum Card holders
Discount tickets are available for pensioners, students, and holders of ISIC or ITIC cards upon presentation of valid identification.
A museum ticket grants access to all exhibitions.
If you are unable or unsure about climbing the stairs, the visitor assistant can offer up to a 50% discount and introduce the tower’s history on the ground floor.
CLOAKROOM
Outerwear can be left on the second floor on hooks attached to iron beams.The visitor assistant can assist if needed.
We recommend keeping personal belongings with you.
Large bags can be left at the ticket desk.
RESTROOM
The restroom is located on the first floor between the entrance door and the tower model.It is built inside the wall and is very narrow.
The door opens outward to the right and can be locked with a hook.
There is a small room with a sink and a separate toilet behind another door.
For more space, it is recommended to lock the outer door and keep the inner door open.
SHOP
To the left of the ticket desk, there is a small sales shelf and a glass display case used for both shop items and a mini exhibition.The visitor assistant can introduce the products and exhibits.
EXHIBITION
You can get a leaflet in Estonian, English, Finnish, or Russian from the visitor assistant.The Red Tower has three floors.
Visitors are usually advised to:
- Start on the 1st floor
- Continue to the attic cinema
- Finish on the 2nd floor
1st floor
Contains the ticket desk and a model of the tower.
Information is available in Estonian and English; translations in Finnish and Russian are available on request.
The visitor assistant introduces the model and the history of the tower (included in the ticket).
There is also a glass-covered opening in the floor through which you can see the cellar.
3rd floor (attic with panoramic cinema)
A dark room showing a 10-minute animated film about the history of Pärnu.
You can start the film yourself using a control panel next to the stairs.
Languages: Estonian, English, Finnish, Russian.
There are 10-12 rotating seats. Please do not move them.
A panoramic screen surrounds the space, with an additional screen showing dates and brief descriptions.
2nd floor
Features a model of 16th-century New Pärnu.
Buttons on the model activate lights and display information on a screen.
There is usually also a display case exhibition.
Texts are available in Estonian, English, Finnish, and Russian.
The museum also offers guided tours.
Guided tours can be ordered in Estonian, English, Russian, Finnish, German, French, Swedish, Japanese, and sign language (Estonian and Russian).
To book a guided tour, write to: visit@pernau.ee
FEEDBACK
Red Tower is continuously working to improve accessibility, and your feedback is highly appreciated.We welcome your suggestions and thoughts at visit@pernau.ee or via our feedback form:
https://www.parnumuuseum.ee/feedback