Eesti Kaevandusmuuseum

About the museum

The Kohtla mine was built in Kohtla-Nõmme in Ida-Viru County in 1937 by the British company New Consolidated Gold Fields Ltd to supply its oil plants with oil shale. The mine was special because underground and open-pit mining were carried on at the same time; in 1957 a sorting complex was added, where mainly women worked by hand. In the record year 1976 more than 1.5 million tonnes of oil shale were mined. In total, around 50 million tonnes of oil shale were mined at the Kohtla mine over 64 years.

The mine closed on 1 April 2001 and the Kohtla Kaevanduspark (Kohtla Mine Park) began its activity. In July 2012 the mine park reopened after reconstruction, and in 2013 the above-ground part of the theme centre presenting the story of oil shale began. The processing plant, built in 1956, was reopened to visitors in renovated form in 2015 and is now the museum’s main building.

Today the museum consists of three parts: the interactive exhibition in the processing plant, the former mine galleries with a total length of one kilometre, and the Valge maja (White House), which recreates the 1980 everyday life in the former administrative building. On the grounds there is an outdoor exhibition of mining technology, where the bucket of Europe’s largest excavator and a huge BelAZ dump truck can be seen.

Highlights

• Underground museum – a kilometre of mine galleries by mine train
• Interactive exhibition in the processing plant
• Valge maja (White House): period-authentic 1980 interior
• Bucket of Europe’s largest excavator and a BelAZ dump truck
• Miners’ lunch underground (by pre-booking)
• Audio guide in several languages

Permanent exhibitions

• Rikastusvabrik – The renovated two-storey interactive exhibition in the processing plant covers the formation of oil shale, its deposits, mining and use, and energy production in the future.
• Allmaamuuseum – The former mine galleries with a total length of one kilometre; a guided tour by mine train and the places where the miners worked and rested.
• Valge maja – The former administrative building has 19 rooms that show the everyday life of mine managers, workers and a miner’s flat in 1980.

Founded

2001

Operated by

SA Eesti Kaevandusmuuseum

Admission & discounts

The prices (€23, €15 and €60) apply to the combined ticket: the visit to the underground museum and the processing plant lasts 1.5 hours. Tickets should preferably be booked online; when booking, state the number of people. If all times are full online, you can call +372 332 4017.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

In the processing plant you can move between the floors by lift, and there are asphalt paths on the grounds. The accessible toilet is in the entrance foyer of the main building, near the café. The underground mine tour is not yet accessible by wheelchair. The museum may be visited with a guide dog. A discount applies to people with a disability up to 16 years of age and their companion, and to people aged 16 and over with a severe or profound disability and their companion.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

In the processing plant there are interactive displays, for example a drilling machine simulator. In winter the grounds become a winter centre for the whole family. Children up to 4 years of age enter free, and there are educational programmes and learning camps for children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The ticket office, information desk, café and souvenir shop are on the ground floor of the main building. A roller-skating track, disc golf course, gym and skatepark are near the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum offers rooms, catering, accommodation, team-building courses, seminars and birthday parties.

Plan your visit