Karilatsi Vabaõhumuuseum

About the museum

The proposal to establish a museum presenting the history of the region in Põlva County was made in 1966 by Kalju Kermas. After the closure of Karilatsi Primary School, the area around the school building began in 1971 to be tidied into a museum park: a model of the Põlva district was created in the landscape and a windmill was erected, and in 1972 the school building was turned into the museum’s main house. The museum was officially founded on 28 December 1978 under the name Põlva Peasant Museum; the staff structure was approved on 1 January 1979, and its first director was Jüri Nopri. From 1 January 2015 the museum belongs to the Museum Department of the Võru Institute, also known as the Museums of Old Võromaa.

The three main themes are school, farm life and local government. Visitors see farmhouses (including the rehielamu (threshing-barn dwelling) brought from the village of Kähri and the Punaku farm), a poorhouse, a smoke sauna, a windmill, the school building and the model of Põlva district. The first visitor programme was the reception of newly married couples; later school lessons in the old style and other museum lessons were added for pupils.

Highlights

• Kähri rehielamu (threshing-barn dwelling) and Punaku farm
• Poorhouse, smoke sauna and windmill
• Permanent exhibition “Kuke kannul kooliteel” (On the Rooster’s Heels on the Way to School) in the school building
• Memorial room of Vanda Juhansoo
• Model of the Põlva district in the landscape
• Old-style school lesson and museum lessons

Permanent exhibitions

• Kuke kannul kooliteel – The permanent exhibition in the school building presents school and local government life; it replaced the exhibition “Pärisorjast peremeheks” (From Serf to Master), opened in 2004.
• Vanda Juhansoo mälestustuba – The memorial room is part of the permanent exhibition in the museum’s main house.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Vana-Võromaa Muuseumid (Võru Instituut)

Admission & discounts

The museum card is valid.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Wheelchair users can move on the grounds and in some buildings; if necessary, you can drive by car to the exhibition buildings. The main house (school building) has an accessible toilet. Guide dogs are permitted on the grounds and in the buildings; well-behaved pets may be brought along.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Picnics are allowed on the museum grounds; children are offered museum lessons and summer camps.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The craft garden sells handicraft products. In summer ice cream, coffee, tea, soft drinks and water can be bought from the gatehouse. Picnics are allowed on the grounds.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit