Suur Tõll
The steam icebreaker Suur Tõll is Estonia's oldest museum ship: at the Lennusadam quay visitors can see the officers' mess, cabins, and the engine and boiler rooms.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Suur Tõll was built in 1914 at the Vulcan Werke AG shipyard in Stettin, today's Szczecin, on the order of the Russian Empire, to break ice in the Gulf of Tallinn. The ship was one of the most powerful icebreakers of its time and is one of three steam icebreakers from the early 20th century preserved in the Baltic Sea. During its life it sailed under the flags of the Russian Empire, Finland, the Soviet Union and the Republic of Estonia, and bore the names Tsar Mihhail Fjodorovitš, Volõnets, Wäinämöinen and Suur Tõll.
Suur Tõll is Estonia's national maritime symbol and, as the most modern icebreaker of its construction period, an important technical monument. It is also the only surviving steamship that was in use in Estonia in the 1920s and 1930s. The history of the ship reflects well the turning points of the Estonian state in the 20th century.
Today the icebreaker stands at the Lennusadam quay as a museum ship of the Eesti Meremuuseum (Estonian Maritime Museum). On board are the officers' mess and the captain's cabin, the crew's quarters, an exhibition on the history of the icebreaker, and the engine and boiler rooms. The exhibition tells the story of the ship through all the flags under which it has sailed. A guided tour of the ship can also be booked, and events and seminars are held on board.
Highlights
- Officers' mess and captain's cabin
- Authentic steam engines and boiler room
- Crew quarters
- Exhibition on the history of the icebreaker under all its flags
- Built in 1914, Estonia's oldest museum ship
- Virtual tour of the ship
Permanent exhibition
- Jäämurdja Suur Tõll – On board the ship are the officers' mess, the captain's cabin, the crew quarters, the engine and boiler rooms, and an exhibition on the history of the icebreaker.
- Operated by
- Eesti Meremuuseum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Children aged 9–18, pupils and students, and holders of ISIC, ITIC and European Youth Cards |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 8 · Children aged 9–18; children up to and including 8 years of age enter free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Children with disabilities up to 16 years of age and their companion, and persons aged 16 and over with a moderate, profound or severe disability and their companion, enter free on presentation of a certificate. |
| Students & apprentices | €6On presentation of a student or pupil ticket or a European Youth Card. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –For groups of 10 or more people there is a 10% discount if the tickets are bought together. |
| Families | €15The family ticket is valid for up to two adults and their children up to 18 years of age. |
| Lennusadam ticket (hangar, seasonal exhibition, museum ships Suur Tõll and Valvas) | €22Reduced €11, family ticket €40. |
| Eesti Meremuuseum combined ticket (Lennusadam + Paks Margareeta) | €30Valid for a single entry within one week; reduced €15, family ticket €60. |
| MM card (annual card) | €70Unlimited visits within one year; reduced €40, family card €100. |
| Tour “Suur Tõll: Jäämurdja sajand” (The Icebreaker Century) in Estonian | €45For a group of up to 20 people; the museum ticket is added. In a foreign language €55. |
Tickets for the museum ships (Suur Tõll and Valvas) cost €12, reduced €6, and the family ticket €15. Holders of the Tallinn Card and the museum card also enter free, as do Estonian Defence Forces servicemen and conscripts.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- 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
Wheelchair users cannot board the icebreaker. The Lennusadam museum building has lifts and an accessible toilet; accessible parking spaces are in the car park beside the hangar.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 8 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €15 · The family ticket is valid for up to two adults and their children up to 18 years of age. |
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Playground / play area
There is a playground around Lennusadam. Pushchairs cannot be taken on board the ship.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Lennusadam
The stop “Lennusadam” is on Kalaranna Road (bus no. 73); the stop “Põhja-Puiestee” (bus no. 3 and trams nos. 1 and 2), from where it is about 1 km on foot along Kalaranna Street.
By car
Paid parking
Parking is located on the square in front of Lennusadam and on the right side of the hangar. Parking is run by Snabb (zone X254): the first 15 minutes are free, 30 minutes cost €1, and a full day €10. Visitors who have bought a museum ticket get 4 hours free (registration at the parking kiosk). There are three bus places at the entrance on the Patarei side.
- Accessible parking
From Town Hall Square it is about 2 km to Lennusadam. In the summer season a museum train runs between Lennusadam and Paks Margareeta.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The Lennusadam hangar has a café, a museum shop, a cloakroom and lockers.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Events, seminars and gatherings can be held on board the icebreaker. To book, write to booking@meremuuseum.ee or call +372 620 0550.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography and filming are allowed in Lennusadam; filming and photography for commercial purposes only by prior agreement with the museum. |
| Good to know | The tour “Suur Tõll: Jäämurdja sajand” (The Icebreaker Century) lasts 45 minutes (in Estonian, Russian, Finnish, English or German) and must be booked in advance. Pets are not allowed on board. The ship can also be explored on a virtual tour. |
