Eduard Vilde muuseum

About the museum

The Eduard Vilde muuseum is located in the castellan’s house (Kastellaanimaja), which belongs to the historic ensemble of Kadriorg Palace. The double-storey wooden building was built between 1833 and 1850 as the residence of the castellan, the castle warden who also oversaw the park. The glazed veranda and the stairwell of the neo-baroque house were added later; otherwise the building has kept its original appearance.

The Republic of Estonia decided to give the writer and diplomat Eduard Vilde (1865–1933) a house with a meadow and kitchen garden for his 60th birthday. After a long search, a suitable six-room apartment was found in 1927 in the castellan’s house, which belonged to the state. The apartment was renovated at the expense of the Ministry of Education and furnished with furniture from the A. M. Luther factory; in November of that year the writer moved into his new home with his wife and mother-in-law. Vilde died in this home during the Christmas holidays of 1933.

The Vilde apartment opened as a museum on 29 August 1946. The house has preserved several 19th-century interior doors and tiled stoves; the apartment’s lights, period-accurate wallpapers and textiles also deserve attention. On the first floor of the house is the Kastellaanimaja Gallery, which hosts art and literature exhibitions. Since 2017 the museum has been run by the Tallinn Literature Centre.

Highlights

• The writer’s six-room apartment, furnished with Luther factory furniture
• Interior doors and tiled stoves dating from the 19th century
• Period-accurate wallpapers, textiles and lights
• Estonian and English audio guide on the museum website
• Kastellaanimaja Gallery on the first floor

Permanent exhibition

• Eduard Vilde korter-muuseum – The six-room apartment on the lower floor of the Kastellaanimaja, where the writer lived from 1927 to 1933, is furnished in period style; the permanent exhibition gives an overview of Vilde’s life and work.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Tallinna Kirjanduskeskus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the first Sunday of every month, the museums of the Tallinn Literature Centre are open free of charge, 11:00–17:00.

Free admission for holders of a press card and of a museum employee’s certificate, members of the Eesti Emakeeleõpetajate Selts (Estonian Mother Tongue Teachers’ Society) and the Eesti Ajaloo- ja Ühiskonnaõpetajate Selts (Estonian History and Social Studies Teachers’ Society), persons with disabilities and victims of repression. Members of the Eesti Kunstnike Liit (Estonian Artists’ Association) enter the Kastellaanimaja Gallery free of charge. The Muuseumikaart and the Tallinn Card are also valid for admission to the museums.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The historic building imposes mobility restrictions: an outdoor staircase without a ramp leads to the writer’s museum, and there is no lift to the art gallery on the first floor.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Museum lessons for kindergartens, primary classes, lower and upper secondary schools (Vilde-themed lessons, e.g. “Vahva vunts Vilde” and “Mäeküla piimanaine”). A family ticket costs €12.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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