Top 5 Lesser-Known Museums in Tallinn Worth Visiting
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is famous for its medieval Old Town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, beyond the well-known attractions, the city is home to many unique and little-explored museums that offer an unusual perspective on Estonian history and culture. If you would like to venture off the usual tourist routes, here are five lesser-known museums in Tallinn that are definitely worth visiting.
1. Keelatud Raamatute Muuseum (Banned Book Museum)
This small independent museum, which opened in December 2020, is a true gem for literature and history enthusiasts. Founded by Scotsman Joseph Maximillian Dunnigan, the museum collects and preserves banned, burned, and censored books from around the world. The collection includes over 100 books, organized by country and category, including a special section dedicated to books burned throughout history. Some controversial publications, such as “The Anarchist Cookbook,” are kept under the counter and shown upon request. Visiting this museum is not only an opportunity to see rare books, but also to reflect on the importance of freedom of speech and the history of censorship.
Located on Tallinn’s Town Hall Square, Raeapteek is Europe’s oldest continuously operating pharmacy, first mentioned in chronicles in 1422. It is not merely a functioning pharmacy, but also a unique museum where visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of medieval medicine. In the back room, there is a small free exhibition featuring historical instruments, old medicines and unusual remedies such as powdered burnt hedgehogs. Here, visitors can also learn about the famous “Claret” wine, which has been sold at the pharmacy since 1467, and about marzipan, which was once considered a remedy for heartache.
Located in the impressive Rotermanni soolaladu building, Eesti Arhitektuurimuuseum is a must-visit for anyone interested in design and urban planning. The museum is situated between the harbour and the modern Rotermanni kvartal, offering an excellent example of harmony between historical and contemporary architecture. The museum's exhibitions cover the history of Estonian architecture from ancient times to the present day and also showcase the work of contemporary architects. It is an excellent place to understand how the appearance of Tallinn and Estonia as a whole has changed over the centuries.
Located in the basement of a building that served for almost 50 years as the headquarters of the NKVD and later the KGB, this museum is one of the most emotionally powerful and historically significant places in Tallinn. Visitors can enter the basement and see the preserved prison cells where Estonian politicians, intellectuals and ordinary citizens who were considered a threat to Soviet rule were detained, interrogated and tortured. The exhibition includes six cells, a solitary confinement cell, original doors and bars, as well as survivors' testimonies. Visiting this museum is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the tragic chapters of Estonian history and the price of freedom.
•Address: Pagari 1, Pikk tn 59, 10133 Tallinn
•Opening hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–18:00
•Price: 10€
5. Nukukunsti Muuseum
This charming and interactive museum, located next to Eesti Noorsooteater NUKU, is an ideal place to visit with the family. Opened in 2010, the museum offers visitors the opportunity not only to look at puppets, but also to try their hand at being an actor, director or artist. Various types of puppets are on display here, from table-top and rod puppets to hand puppets and marionettes. The exhibition tells the 70-year history of Estonian puppet theatre, and admission is free for children up to the age of 15; they are even given disposable cameras so they can try their hand at photography.
•Address: Lai 1, Nunne tn 4, 10133 Tallinn
•Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00
•Price: 10€
These five museums offer a unique and memorable experience that allows you to see Tallinn from a new, unexpected perspective.
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