Jääaja Keskus

About the museum

The Ice Age Centre (Jääaja Keskus) is located in Äksi in Tartu County, on the shore of Lake Saadjärv, in the middle of Vooremaa, which is known for its Ice Age and Kalevipoeg legends. The centre is run by the foundation SA Saadjärve. Its aim is to popularise the natural sciences and to be an educational experience centre that presents the links between the natural environment and human activity.

Spread over three floors and 2000 m² of exhibition space, 13.7 billion years of history unfold from the Big Bang: the formation of galaxies and the solar system, the beginning of life on Earth and the emergence of humans are discussed. On the ground floor there is the Ice Age, with Ice Age animals such as the mammoth, the giant deer and the cave lion, and humans during the Ice Age. The first floor presents the legacy of the glaciers in the Estonian landscape, the development of nature after the Ice Age and the traces of the Ice Age in folk legends, as well as Vooremaa as an open-air Ice Age museum.

The theme of the second floor is the future: weather observations, climate and the role of humans in climate change are discussed there, as well as the polar regions, where the life-size polar bear Franz can also be seen. The new permanent exhibition “Roheenergia nihutab piire” (Green Energy Pushes the Boundaries) deals with renewable energy. The centre has a play cave, a snow cave and a children's room for children, a cosy café, a souvenir shop and a raft trip on Lake Saadjärv.

Highlights

• Mammoth and other Ice Age animals on the ground floor
• Life-size polar bear Franz
• Vooremaa as an open-air Ice Age museum
• Play cave, snow cave and children's room
• Permanent exhibition “Roheenergia nihutab piire” (Green Energy Pushes the Boundaries)
• Raft trip on Lake Saadjärv

Permanent exhibitions

• Jääaeg ja jää – The ground-floor exhibition introduces the Ice Age, Ice Age animals such as the mammoth and the cave lion, and humans in the Ice Age.
• Jääaja jäljed Eestimaa pinnal – The first-floor exhibition tells of the legacy of the glaciers in the landscape, the development of nature after the Ice Age and the traces of the Ice Age in folk legends.
• Kas tulevik sõltub meist? – The second-floor exhibition deals with weather observations, climate change and the human role in it, and with the polar nature theme, including a life-size polar bear.

Founded

2012

Operated by

SA Saadjärve

Admission & discounts

The museum card is valid. A reduced ticket also applies with a Club One card (10%), and when a ticket for V Spa or AHHAA Teaduskeskus (Science Centre) is presented (10%), or a ticket for Aura Veekeskus (Water Centre) or Eesti Rahva Muuseum (Estonian National Museum) (20%). With a family card there is a 10% discount on a single ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 building can be reached by a ramp, and there is a lift in the building. The accessible toilet is on the ground floor, directly opposite the ticket desk.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

For children there is the “Lemming Lemps” wisdom trail, a play cave, a snow cave, a children's room and a colouring wall; children also have separate stories with QR codes. Pushchairs can enter the building via the ramps, and there is a lift. The changing table is in the accessible toilet on the ground floor, and the toilets on the ground and second floors have small potties. Children's birthday parties can be held in the children's room.

Getting there & parking

The centre is 25 km from Tartu, 34 km from Jõgeva, 52 km from Põltsamaa and 178 km from Tallinn.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

There is an unsupervised cloakroom and lockable lockers in the foyer. The café “Paus” serves daily specials, pizzas, desserts and children's menus.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The centre has space for conferences, birthday parties and other events; users of the seminar room are offered catering.

Plan your visit