Things to do in Tartu County, Tartu County: The Best History Museums

When walking in the Old Town of Tartu, head also for the other side of the riverbanks where you will see the early classicist Pistohlkors or Katariina House. It is a building from the 18th century that used to belong to Lieutenant WC von Pistohlkors. The interior design of the building's hall in the style of Louis XVI is worth special attention. Tartu Town Museum is currently located in Katariina House. The exhibition "Dorpat. Yuryev. Tartu." introduces you to the history of the city.

The 19th Century Citizen’s Museum is located in the old part of Tartu, in a unique neighbourhood where the buildings are among the oldest in the city. The wooden dwelling, completed in the 1740s, is one of the oldest to have survived in Tartu. Visitors find themselves in the home of a middle-class citizen in the 1830s. The living room, dining room, study and bedroom are furnished in the Biedermeier style characteristic of the period. In the cosy kitchen at the heart of the house are a number of utensils and a fully functional ‘English’ stove.

The museum that was opened in 2007 and is located on Jaama Street 14, in the old residence of the Estonian society "Vanemuine". The main attraction and the soul of the museum is to be called "Carrying own tune", an exhibition that tells the story of the legendary and world famous Estonian song festival tradition, conveys the feelings of a national awakening and the formation of a nation. The Classical building from the first half of the 19th century is listed as a cultural monument and holds great importance in our cultural history. It was here on 24 June 1870 that a popular play by Lydia Koidula, Saaremaa Onupoeg, was performed, paving the way for the foundation of Estonian theatre.