Peipsimaa muuseum

About the museum

The Peipsimaa muuseum is located in Tiheda village in Mustvee rural municipality and presents the life of the Old Believers on the shore of Lake Peipus. The exhibition covers the home, kitchen and church culture of the Old Believers; samovars, icons and lestovkas (prayer ropes) can be seen. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the world-famous icon painter Pimen Sofronov (1898–1973), who was born in Tiheda.

Next to the museum is the permanent exhibition “Peipsi järve elu tuba” (“Peipsi Lake Life Room”). It has 35 fish models, a four-metre model of Lake Peipus, more than ten interactive exhibits and videos about Peipsi and its surroundings; information texts are in Estonian, Russian and English. For children and adults there is a playful chance to try on, for example, a fisherman’s rubber boots.

The museum offers guided tours of Old Believer culture, a samovar tea and an Ivan tea (fireweed tea) ceremony, and workshops where Ivan tea and boiled-sugar kompvekid (sweets) are made. The museum shop sells Peipsi-themed souvenirs, handicrafts, Ivan tea and local sweets.

Highlights

• Home, kitchen and church culture of the Old Believers
• Samovars, icons and lestovkas (prayer ropes)
• Exhibition on icon painter Pimen Sofronov
• Peipsi Lake Life Room: 35 fish models and a four-metre lake model
• Ivan tea ceremony and workshops

Permanent exhibitions

• Vanausulised ja samovarid – Home, kitchen and church culture of the Old Believers: samovars, icons and lestovkas.
• Pimen Sofronov – Exhibition on Pimen Sofronov (1898–1973), the icon painter born in Tiheda, and his work.
• Peipsi järve elu tuba – Permanent exhibition on the nature and life of Lake Peipus: 35 fish models, a four-metre lake model, videos and more than ten interactive exhibits.

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for holders of an ICOM member card and employees of Estonian museums (on presentation of a document), and for one teacher accompanying a pupil group. A guided tour of Mustvee rural municipality (1 hour) costs €30 in Estonian and €40 in other languages.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The Peipsi Lake Life Room has more than ten interactive exhibits, for example a Peipsi puzzle and a fisherman’s costume to try on.

Getting there & parking

The Peipsi Lake Life Room is next to the museum (Sõpruse 84).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells souvenirs, handicrafts, Ivan tea and local sweets.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 20 guests.

Rooms available for rent: a workshop (up to 10 people, €15 for one hour) and a tea ceremony room (up to 20 people, €20 for one hour); preparing the event rooms costs €25 per hour, and a projector with screen €20 per day.

Plan your visit