Kaitseväe Akadeemia muuseum
The Tartu branch of the Estonian War Museum on Riia Street presents weapons, insignia and communications equipment of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Defence League; the building is under renovation until the end of 2026.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1994 as the archive of the Defence League. From 1995 it has operated in Tartu on Riia Street, in the Defence League's historic building. In 1998 the then War Museum was transferred from the Defence League to the Defence Forces, and its main focus became the study of the history of the Estonian Defence Forces in the 20th century and the collection of materials. From 1998 to 2021 the museum was subordinate to a Defence Forces educational institution, and in 2022 it became a branch of the Eesti Sõjamuuseum (Estonian War Museum) – the General Laidoner Museum.
The museum's task is to find, collect, preserve and study objects and materials connected with the history of Estonian military education, and to present them to the public. The museum's collections comprise more than 10,000 items: insignia, photographs, objects and printed matter, weapons, communications equipment, ammunition, engineering equipment and much more that the Defence Forces and the Defence League have used over time. The collection belongs to the collections of the Estonian War Museum.
At present the museum is closed to visitors for a thorough renovation, which will last until the end of 2026. A new permanent exhibition on the history of the Estonian Defence Forces and military education is being prepared, and the museum's accessibility will be improved. The new exhibition will still draw on the museum's collection and give an overview of the Estonian Defence Forces from the eve of the War of Independence to the present day. The renovated branch will open in 2027, and visits will then no longer require prior booking.
Highlights
- Weapons, insignia and communications equipment of the Defence Forces and the Defence League
- Overview of the history of Estonian military education
- More than 10,000 items in the museum's collection
- Free admission and excursions
- New permanent exhibition to open in 2027
Permanent exhibition
- Kaitseväe Akadeemia muuseumi püsinäitus – The permanent exhibition gives an overview of weapons, decorations, insignia, communications equipment and other items used by the Estonian Defence Forces and the Defence League; after the renovation a new exhibition on the history of the Defence Forces and military education will open.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Eesti Sõjamuuseum – kindral Laidoneri muuseum
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|---|
| Groups | –Excursions are free; for groups of up to 30 people. |
Visiting the museum and the excursions are free. A valid identity document must be presented.
Accessibility
The museum is closed for renovation until the end of 2026; the renovated branch will open in 2027.
Kids & families
The museum is closed for renovation until the end of 2026; the renovated branch will open in 2027.
Getting there & parking
The museum is closed for renovation until the end of 2026; the renovated branch will open in 2027.
Amenities & dining
The museum is closed for renovation until the end of 2026; the renovated branch will open in 2027.
Events & venue rental
The museum is closed for renovation until the end of 2026; the renovated branch will open in 2027.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Excursions on different themes (e.g. the development of weapons) are free; they suit individual visitors and groups of up to 30 people, and teachers may hold a history and national defence lesson in the form of an excursion. The excursion lasts 45 minutes. |
