Tartu linnamuuseum

About the museum

The Tartu linnamuuseum (Tartu City Museum) was founded in 1955 and was initially located on Oru tänav. Since 2001 the museum has been in Ülejõe, in a noble residence from the late 18th century at Narva mnt 23. The house was completed in 1790 as the residence of Lieutenant Woldemar Conrad von Pistohlkorsi; it was designed by Johann Heinrich Bartholomäus Walter, the builder of the town hall. It was the first stone house in present-day Ülejõe.

The most beautiful room in the building is an early Classicist hall, whose walls and ceiling are decorated with rich Louis XVI-style stucco. In later times the building housed shops, a pawnshop and rental flats, and from 1886 to 1940 a printing house, which printed the newspaper Postimees among other things.

The permanent exhibition “Meie Tartu” (Our Tartu) tells the story of Tartu’s people and districts through 17 chapters. The exhibition features a town hall clock over 200 years old that has been restored to working order, lets visitors step into the former Annelinna lift and visit the Ropka bread van. The museum belongs to the Tartu Linnaajaloo Muuseumid (Tartu Museums of Urban History).

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Meie Tartu” (Our Tartu) with stories from 17 districts
• Town hall clock over 200 years old
• Early Classicist hall with Louis XVI-style stucco
• Residence from 1790 built for Lieutenant Pistohlkors
• Temporary exhibitions

Permanent exhibition

• Meie Tartu – The exhibition tells the story of Tartu’s people and districts through 17 chapters; each district tells its story through local people and objects.

Founded

1955

Operated by

Tartu Linnaajaloo Muuseumid

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 18 May (International Museum Day) and 31 October (birthday of the Tartu linnamuuseum); if these fall on a Monday or Tuesday, the museum is closed.

Exhibitions are free with the Museum Card. With the Family Card, a family ticket can be bought for the whole family named on the card, and a full-price ticket at the reduced rate for an adult named on the card. Free admission also applies to honorary citizens of Tartu, conscripts, victims of repression, and members of ICOM, ICOMOS and the Estonian Museum Association.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Pushchairs and wheelchairs must enter through the courtyard door; there is a lift between the floors. There is a parking space for a person with special needs in the museum courtyard; this must be announced in advance by telephone at +372 746 1911.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

The museum organises family mornings, children’s performances and workshops.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 500 metres from Raekoja plats; on foot you cross over the Kaarsild (Candle Bridge). There is a bicycle parking area in front of the building on Narva maantee.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Tartu Linnaajaloo Muuseumid (Tartu Museums of Urban History) rent out rooms, including the seminar room of the KGB kongide muuseum (KGB Cells Museum).

Plan your visit