PROTO avastustehas
The discovery factory in the former foundry at Noblessner brings together hands-on exhibits, an inventors' laboratory and virtual reality experiences for the whole family.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
PROTO avastustehas (PROTO Discovery Factory) opened in October 2019 in the Noblessner harbour district in North Tallinn, only 500 metres from Lennusadam. The centre presents itself as the first educational virtual reality centre, where major scientific discoveries and unique prototypes from centuries ago are brought back to life with 21st-century virtual reality technology.
The centre is located in the former foundry of the Noblessner shipyard. It is part of a valuable complex of industrial architecture in Tallinn, which was a closed area from its construction at the beginning of the 20th century until recently. Here Emanuel Nobel and Arthur Lessner built 12 submarines for the Tsarist Russian army as part of a secret programme. Before PROTO opened, Arvo Pärt's “Adam's Passion” was staged in the same foundry in a production by Robert Wilson.
The exhibition hall has hands-on exhibits where visitors can try out physical phenomena themselves, as well as virtual reality experiences. Separate areas are the inventors' laboratory and the inventors' park, designed mainly for very young children. Since July 2020 PROTO has been a member of the Eesti Suuratraktsioonide Liit (Estonian Association of Major Attractions).
Highlights
- Hands-on exhibits, such as a steam engine, a mirror maze and a zoetrope
- Virtual reality experiences, such as a hot-air balloon and a deep-sea research vessel
- Inventors' laboratory for activities without a supervisor
- Inventors' park for young children
- Historic Noblessner foundry
- Café on the ground floor
Permanent exhibitions
- Tegevuseksponaadid – On the hands-on exhibits you can try technical marvels and physical phenomena yourself, for example a steam engine, a mirror maze, a windmill and a space rocket.
- Virtuaalreaalsus – With virtual reality glasses you can experience, among other things, a hot-air balloon, a free-flying machine and a deep-sea research vessel.
- Leiutajate labor ja leiutajate park – In the laboratory you can invent and experiment yourself, and in the park small children discover the working principles of inventions while playing.
- Founded
- 2019
- Operated by
- Proto OÜ
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €20 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10Pensioners and people with special needs (on presentation of a certificate) |
| Children & teens | €11free up to age 6 · The student ticket is valid up to and including 18 years of age. Children up to and including 6 years of age enter free. |
| Seniors | €10Reduced ticket for pensioners on presentation of a certificate. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €10companion free · A child with a disability up to 16 years of age and their companion, and persons aged 16 and over with a profound or severe disability and their companion, enter free on presentation of a certificate. |
| Students & apprentices | €11Student ticket for persons up to and including 18 years of age. |
| Groups | –Guiding service for a group (up to 20 people) costs €56; a tour for pupil groups costs €11 per pupil. |
| Families | €40The family ticket is valid for two adults and their minor children. |
The full ticket applies from the age of 19. Tickets include all hands-on exhibits and virtual reality experiences, except use of the PROTO roller. Holders of the Tallinn Card and the museum card enter free. With a Club One card, full and family tickets have a 10% discount; with a family card the discount is 22–30%; and with an ISIC or ESN card the standard-price tickets are 20% cheaper.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance is at street level and accessible both by wheelchair and with pushchairs. The exhibition area is on two floors, and a lift is located beside the ticket office. Use of the exhibition is partly restricted for wheelchair users. There is an accessible toilet near the ticket offices.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €40 · The family ticket is valid for two adults and their minor children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
The inventors' park is a play area designed mainly for small children, with a two-level playground. Educational programmes, camps, birthday parties and an inventors' theatre are offered. The accessible toilet has a changing table.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Noblessneri
Bus no. 73, stop “Noblessneri”; stairs from the viaduct lead directly to Noblessner. Bus no. 3 runs to the stop “Kungla” on Tööstuse Street, from where it is about 100 m along the street and then down to Peetri Street.
By car
Paid parking
In front of PROTO there is a paid car park (zone EP143): 15 minutes free, 30 minutes €1, 24 hours €10. In the car park opposite, electric cars can be charged. There are free parking bays in front of the building for buses.
Arriving by car, after Lennusadam turn from Kalaranna Road into Lennusadama Street and then on to Allveelaeva Street. By bicycle, Noblessner can be reached from Kalaranna Street along the cycle path that descends from the stop “Noblessneri”; bicycles and scooters can be rented in front of the building.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Coat check
The café is on the ground floor and is accessible by wheelchair; there are high chairs for small children. Pushchairs and larger luggage can be left in the cloakroom or behind the ticket office.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
There are two conference rooms and the 650 m² Nobel Hall for events; birthday parties are also organised.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The virtual reality experience begins with a short briefing. The inventors' laboratory is open 11:00–18:00 and its activities take place without a supervisor; during museum programme times the area is closed to visitors. |
