10 History Museums in Estonia That You Shouldn't Miss

The museum features the home of Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803-1882), a physician and the founder of Estonian national literature, in Voru and gives a good overview of his activities. His living quarters reflect the interior design typical of the time; the garden house accommodates literary exposition. In the storehouse there is an exhibition of art inspired by Kreutzwald’s writings, reprints and translations of his works. The stable features different vehicles and the fairy-tale room several ethnographic objects. There are also a cellar, sauna, well, garden and an arbour in the museum complex. The activity room is designed for handicraft, drawing and constructing.

Mihkli Farm Museum was found on the 5th of February in 1959. Mihkli is a farm typical to West-Saaremaa, with many architectural sights as well. Most buildings lie in a circle around the yard, part of which is separated by a stick fence as flower garden. Farm is surrounded by old ash trees, leafy branches used to be cut from them for sheep's winter feed.Good to know:There was no need to search for items for this farm, in addition to a complete set of buildings there was a rich collection of everyday items.Almost all of the items were made by the inhabitants of this farm over 2 centuries.

An old barn building has been restored on the lands of Rehemetsa, one of the oldest farms of Metsanurme. The ground floor fireplace room and the barn kiln have undergone renovation and the windows and shingle roof have been renewed. The development of the first floor into a museum of local history will be completed in the 2009/2010 season. Today there is only an outdoor exposition of historical agricultural tools, the barn building itself and the village swing there. There is also a touch-screen computer of the Green Way project (Green Way from Tallinn to Riga) in the Village Centre and WiFi wireless Internet in the area of the centre.

The twelve rooms of the museums give an overview of the materials related to Kalevipoeg. The educational room exhibits materials, both about the neighbourhood as well as the educational life in the whole of Estonia. The local history room exhibits the tools, dishes and furniture used by our ancestors.

If you like history, mythology, jewellery and design, or are a serious scholar of phaleristics - be sure to plan a visit to the Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood. Among our most prized possessions are decorations of the Orders of the Garter, the Golden Fleece, Malta, Black Eagle and the Legion of Honour. The museum introduces visitors to the history of various Orders of Chivalry by presenting their exquisite badges, stars and collars - true masterpieces of art and craftsmanship, often lavishly decorated with diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Many are of an immense historical value as they once belonged to emperors, princes and princesses, famous military commanders, presidents, and politicians. Highlights of the collection include the Order of the White Eagle which belonged to Russian Emperor Peter the Great, insignia of the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie and Britain’s Princess Mary’s star of the Order of the British Empire and many others.

Vene talu or Russian Farmyard is home of Russian culture and traditions located in Parnu county. Discover Russian folk art, taste tea prepared in a samovar, or try on a Russian costume. This family-owned museum introduces the heritage and knowledge passed on through generations. We kindly ask you to inform us about your visit beforehand. All visits are by appointment only.