Porkuni paemuuseum
The limestone museum in the gatehouse tower of the Porkuni bishop’s castle presents the formation, use and history of limestone and of Porkuni over five floors; there is a viewing platform at the top.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
A castle was built in 1479 on an island in the middle of Porkuni lake; it was destroyed during the Livonian War. Only the gatehouse tower survives, which for centuries belonged to Porkuni manor. After the Second World War the tower was used by the Porkuni school. For the tower’s 500th anniversary in 1979 it was renovated with the support of the Eesti Kurtide Ühing (Estonian Deaf Society) and taken into use as a rest room for the school. In 1991 an exhibition on the history of deaf education in Estonia was set up here, and on 4 June 1992 a limestone exhibition was added.
On the five floors of the tower visitors get an overview of Estonia’s national stone, limestone: the exhibition presents the formation of limestone, fossils, its distribution and use, and there is a rich collection of limestone specimens from all over Estonia. At the top of the tower is a viewing platform, with a view of Porkuni lake, the manor complex and the surroundings.
Visitors who are interested can examine and work limestone samples themselves and identify fossils. Guides present the exhibition and the cultural-historical sites of Porkuni. The museum is run by Tapa rural municipality, and the Tamsalu lime park and the Lossisaare energy trail are also connected with it.
Highlights
- Gatehouse tower of the bishop’s castle on an island in Porkuni lake
- Five-storey limestone exhibition
- Viewing platform at the top of the tower
- Studying fossils and limestone specimens
- Excursions around Porkuni and to the Tamsalu lime park
Permanent exhibition
- Paekivi viiel korrusel – On the five floors of the tower the formation of limestone, fossils, its distribution and use, and the history of Porkuni are presented.
- Operated by
- Tapa Valla Kultuurikeskus
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50Students, university students and pensioners |
| Children & teens | freePreschool children and school groups from Tapa rural municipality enter free of charge. |
| Families | €8Family ticket valid for up to two adults and the minor children of the family. |
| Guide fee per group outside the museum (per hour) | €25 |
| Educational programme in Porkuni (per hour) | €20 |
Ukrainian war refugees also enter free of charge. The museum can also be entered with a Muuseumikaart.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €8 · Family ticket valid for up to two adults and the minor children of the family. |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Children and young people can examine limestone specimens and identify fossils; the museum offers educational programmes and workshops.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guides present the exhibition and the cultural-historical sites of Porkuni. Excursion themes are the museum’s exhibits and the view from the platform, the energy trail with limestone outcrops, karst and springs, the Tamsalu lime park and the history of Porkuni. Educational programmes are offered for kindergartens, grades 1–3, 4–6, 7–9 and upper secondary school. |