Võrumaa Muuseum

About the museum

Collecting objects, documents and photographs about Võrumaa began in 1961 at the Dr. Fr. R. Kreutzwald Memorial Museum. On 23 November 1966 the Võru Local History Museum was established by order of the Minister of Culture as a branch of the Kreutzwald Museum. On 10 February 1983 the museum opened its first building in Võru designed for it: the architect Kaarel Pedak commissioned the building design in 1974, and the house, with a total floor area of 1,100 m², was built on the foundations of the old Krümmer school. The first part of the permanent exhibition was completed in 1984, and the final permanent exhibition on the history of Võrumaa opened on 7 February 1985.

The collecting work that began in 1992 led to the renewal of the part dealing with the 20th century; for example, the themes of the War of Independence and the forest brothers were added. In 2017 the part covering the period from prehistory to the 18th century was renewed, and a model of a smoke sauna was added; in 2018 the exhibition “Vaba aeg ja meelelahutus Võrumaal 1920–30” (Leisure and Entertainment in Võrumaa 1920–30) was completed. The museum has been called Võrumaa Museum since 1994, was called the Vana-Võromaa Cultural House from 2013 to 2025, and on 8 May 2025 regained the name Võrumaa Museum. From 1 January 2015 it belongs to the Museum Department of the Võru Institute, also known as the Museums of Old Võromaa.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history of Võrumaa from prehistory to the 20th century
• Model of a smoke sauna
• Exhibition “Vaba aeg ja meelelahutus Võrumaal 1920–30” (Leisure and Entertainment in Võrumaa 1920–30)
• Themes of the War of Independence and the forest brothers
• Audio guide in Estonian, Võro and English

Permanent exhibition

• Võrumaa ajaloo püsinäitus – The permanent exhibition covers the history of Võrumaa from prehistory to the 20th century, including the themes of the War of Independence and the forest brothers; the part from prehistory to the 18th century was renewed in 2017 and includes a model of a smoke sauna.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Vana-Võromaa Muuseumid (Võru Instituut)

Visitors per year

approx. 6,880 (2024)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free with the museum card. The price list for other services is a separate document on the museum’s website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 museum building has no wheelchair access. Pets are welcome to visit the museum.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

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