Padise klooster

About the museum

Padise Monastery began as a small estate of the Daugavgrīva (Dünamünde) monastery near Padise. In 1305 King Eric Menved of Denmark gave permission to build the monastery, and construction began in 1317. Building work continued with interruptions for more than 200 years. The Cistercian monks founded the monastery on the Simmiku or Kloostri river, near the Padise ancient fortress.

The monastery became a powerful landowner: it owned villages from Vasalemma to Nõva and also land in eastern Harju. During the St George’s Night Uprising of 1343, 28 monks of the monastery were killed, after which the monastery was rebuilt as a fortified complex in the style of a castle.

Today the monastery has the permanent exhibition “Südame ja mõistmisega” on the life of the Cistercians, a display of carved stones, and temporary exhibitions in the visitor centre. Visitors can see the monastery church, the crypt and the cloister, and try out games for children.

Highlights

• Ruins of the Cistercian monastery with church, crypt and cloister
• Permanent exhibition “Südame ja mõistmisega” (With Heart and Understanding)
• Display of carved stones in the monastery cellar
• Animal world carved in stone on the vaults of the church hall
• Children’s games: fishing, an archaeologist’s discovery game and the online game “Padise pärand” (Padise Heritage)

Permanent exhibitions

• Südame ja mõistmisega – Permanent exhibition on Padise Monastery, the significance of the Cistercians and the everyday life of the monks.
• Raidkivide väljapanek – Stone fragments exhibited in the monastery cellar, found during archaeological excavations and restoration.
• Kivisse raiutud loomariik – Carved stones with animal images from the vaults of the monastery church hall.

Operated by

Padise Kloostri Külastuskeskus (Lääne-Harju vald)

Admission & discounts

Tickets are sold at the visitor centre; there is no ticket sales at the monastery. The museum card is valid. Also free: staff of Estonian museums, ICOM members, conscripts in uniform, the teacher of a school group and the guide of a tour group.

Accessibility

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

The visitor centre and the monastery have an accessibility lift. Wheelchairs and pushchairs can move on the visitor centre grounds. Visitors with mobility impairments can park the vehicle in front of the monastery. The visitor centre toilet suits visitors with mobility difficulties. Well-behaved pets, guide dogs and service dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Games for families: a fishing game in the monastery well (free), a small archaeologist’s discovery game (free) and the online game “Padise pärand” (free).

Getting there & parking

The visitor centre is on the Keila–Haapsalu main road no. 17 in the village of Padise.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Monastery shop; Padise has four places to eat, and a picnic spot by the river next to the monastery. There is a cloakroom for luggage; large bags and suitcases are not allowed in the ruins.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Room rental, seminars and wedding ceremonies.

Plan your visit