Arvo Pärdi Keskus
Archive and music centre of the composer Arvo Pärt in a pine forest in Laulasmaa, with a permanent exhibition, a library, a café and an observation tower.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Arvo Pärdi Keskus (Arvo Pärt Centre) was founded in 2010 in Laulasmaa by the composer’s family, with the aim of preserving and studying Arvo Pärt’s creative legacy in the context of his mother tongue in Estonia. Initially the centre operated in the private house Aliina, whose name refers to Pärt’s piano piece “Aliina”; it was from this that his tintinnabuli style began in 1976.
The current building, designed by the Spanish architects Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano of the office Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos (winning entry “Tabula”, 2014), in cooperation with the Estonian office Luhse & Tuhal, opened as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. The building houses an archive, a library, a 150-seat chamber hall, an exhibition area, a video room and classrooms.
The heart of the centre is the archive, which holds the composer’s original manuscripts, sketches, photographs, recordings and correspondence. Visitors can see the permanent exhibition, visit the library with the personal books of Arvo and Nora Pärt, visit the café and the children’s area, and go up the observation tower from May to October.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition “Kui sa otsid nagu nullist peale” and display of Pärt’s manuscripts
- Interactive exhibition “Tintinnabuli – maailm noodipaberil”
- Building designed by Nieto Sobejano in the pine forest
- Library with the personal books of Arvo and Nora Pärt
- 150-seat chamber hall and observation tower
Permanent exhibitions
- Kui sa otsid nagu nullist peale – The permanent exhibition takes visitors into Arvo Pärt’s world of thought: reflections on silence, word and sound that the composer wrote down over decades, the foundations of his tintinnabuli technique, and a display of manuscripts with original scores.
- Tintinnabuli – maailm noodipaberil – Interactive book pages with descriptions, pictures, animations and soundscapes introduce Arvo Pärt’s music also to visitors without any preparation.
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- SA Arvo Pärdi Keskus
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8pupils, students, teachers, pensioners, holders of a press card or an Estonian museum employee card, and conscripts |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 7 · Children up to 7 years old enter free. |
| Seniors | €8 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · A child with a disability up to 16 years old and one companion, and a person aged 16 or over with a profound or severe disability and one companion, enter free (on presentation of a disability card). |
| Students & apprentices | €8 |
| Groups | –Guided group tour €50 (€60 in a foreign language) plus each participant’s entry ticket; groups of up to 25 people. |
| Families | €24Two adults and their minor children. |
| Supporter ticket | €20 |
| Guided tour for a group (in Estonian) | €50€60 in a foreign language; the entry ticket is added. |
Free admission also applies to holders of the ICOM museum card and to Ukrainian refugees (on presentation of a valid document). Gift cards €5, €15, €25, €40 and €100. The Museum Card is valid.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The main entrance has no steps, the whole floor is on one level, and there are no thresholds. Two walking frames (rollators) are available for visitors to borrow. The accessible toilet (sliding door) is near the information desk. Vehicles of visitors with mobility impairments can continue along Kellasalu tee, where there are two parking spaces opposite the building (80 m forest path); if preferred, parking is available in the staff car park. The information desk and the information room have no induction loops. Guide dogs must be announced in advance. It is recommended to get in touch before a visit (info@arvopart.ee or +372 335 3000).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €24 · Two adults and their minor children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Playground / play area
Next to the café is a children’s corner; the centre has a small exhibition area for children and educational programmes.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Arvo Pärdi Keskus · 350 m
County buses from Viru bus station (also from the Vabaduse väljak, Taksopargi and Haabersti ring stops): no. 126 to the Arvo Pärdi Keskus stop; nos. 127, 127A, 128 and 128A to the Laulasmaa stop. Local bus no. 110 stops at the Arvo Pärdi Keskus stop and connects Keila and Paldiski (change at Laulasmaa or Keila-Joa).
By car
Parking available · 10-min walk · 250 m to the entrance
The car park is at the start of Kellasalu tee; from there a marked forest path leads to the centre. There is a bicycle rack in the car park.
- Accessible parking
The centre is in Laulasmaa, 35 km from Tallinn; by car from Laulasmaa village towards Lohusalu about 700 m, then turn right onto Kellasalu tee. From the Laulasmaa stop to the centre is about 900 m.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
The café with a forest view (terrace in summer) serves soups, salads, pastas, pancakes, snacks and cakes; the kitchen closes half an hour before the centre closes. Next to the café is a children’s corner.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 150 guests.
The centre’s rooms can be rented, including the 150-seat chamber hall.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours in Estonian, English, Finnish and Russian; groups (up to 25 people) register by email at info@arvopart.ee, and cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The tour introduces the building, the archive, the library, the chapel and the observation tower and includes the option of watching a 20-minute documentary film. Educational programmes are offered for kindergarten and school children and for adults. |