Top 10 Specialty Museums in Laane County, Laane County

A 13th century bishop and guild manor is nowaday’s known as Lihula museum. The museum gives overview of the history of South Laanemaa, Lihula and its fortress. The museum displays many interesting findings of archaeological studies. Visitors often admire the exhibition of local ethnographical materials like traditional clothing, carpets and tools. Special expositions are held during the summer months. Good to know: Lihula Tourism Information office is situated in the same building.

Communication Museum offers a reviewof the development of telecommunications in Western Estonia and other. Do You still remember old telephone terminals- and equipment from different time periods, starting from an old crank wall phone up to modern mobile phones? There's something interesting for everyone.Good to know:One museum room has been set up as a postal history room, they also use a special stamp.

The Haapsalu Shawl, an extremely fine knitted shawl that can be pulled through a woman’ ring, has been the symbol of Haapsalu since the last century. At that time, as well as today, they are highly regarded by women. The knitters of traditional shawls knitter are professionals; the skill is passed down from generation to generation. In the Shawl Museum, which is located in a jewellery workshop, you can see a permanent exhibition on the past and present of the Haapsalu shawl, examine the extremely fine patterns, and buy one of the masterpieces for yourself.Interesting fact: Haapsalu shawls have been presented as gifts to the women of the Swedish Royal Family as well as the Estonian President’s honoured guests.

The works of Evald Okas, a great figure in the Estonian art world and an honorary member of the Florence Art Academy, can be found in museum collections in Estonia and abroad. This museum has been enriching the art life of Haapsalu since 2003. The primary attraction is the constantly changing permanent exposition, exhibitions of works by Okas’ family and those of various other artists.Did you know...?*The building, constructed in the mid-19th century as a tavern, enjoys a unique aura*You can take part in art courses and attend interesting exhibitions*Since 1939, Okas’ works have been displayed in 50 solo exhibitions

This museum in Haapsalu introduces the thousand-year-old settlements of the coastal Swedes in Estonia. In the house inaugurated by the King of Sweden, you can acquaint yourself with their unique cultural heritage and see a 20-metre embroidered rug that depicts the life of the Estonian-Swedes. There is a scene where Swedish peasant bought Large-Pakri Island from the Padise Monastery for 34 gold marks in 1345. Swedish King Carl Gustaf had great words of praise for the pictorial rug! In addition, other interesting undertakings take place and traditional wedding feasts are held. Good to know: A wooden sailboat – Jaala – was built in the net shed next to the museum, which was modelled on boats from Ruhnu Island.

The railway terminus with its intriguingly grand station building, constructed in the early 20th century to service the bustling resort town of Haapsalu, invites you to take a virtual journey back in time, accompanied by steam engine noises, to learn about the evolution of railways in Estonia spanning almost a century and a half. Here you can also see different methods of communicating information, from early telegraph and telephone devices to the wireless communications and television. Old locomotives and carriages made their final stop here and you can also come across a polite stationmaster and a skeleton telephone, or visit the old post office. This is all the Station, a place of arrivals and departures through the prism of the past.

You can see vintage vehicles in the former house of field hands in the Virtsu Manor, the exhibits are from the private collection of Valeri Kirss. Among the displayed exhibits there are unique horse-drawn vehicles, bicycles, and automobiles. Good to know: there are also more than 200-year-old vehicles exhibited!

Vormsi Farm Museum comprises a restored farm complex originally constructed by coastal Swedes. It is one of very few remaining since World War II days. It showcases life on the island in the first half of the 20th century through photos and writing, and of course the memories of those who were born on Vormsi but fled to Sweden during the war. You will find tastefully renovated thatched roof buildings, photographic exhibitions and a wide range of everyday items from the period. There is also a traditional smoke sauna. Did you know...? *If you wish to you can buy Vormsi handicrafts and souvenirs at the farm or stop and enjoy refreshments here

The museum is located in the former Town Hall in Lossiplatsi Square. Wander through the historic interior and learn about the old times of Haapsalu. Exhibitions change regularly, so depending when you come you might get to know the old farmhouse, the once-famous resorts of Haapsalu, or the ancient history of the area. If you would like some more information about the history of Haapsalu, you are welcome to study it more in depth with the help of the staff of the museum.

The Polluotsa Farm Museum is located in the beautiful nature of Nova Rural Municipality in West-Estonia. Nature lovers will find large bogs, numerous small lakes, expansive forest and beaches, as well as three nature preservers – the Nova and Laanemaa Suursoo Landscape Preserves and Leidissoo Nature Preserves. At the Farm Museum, you can acquaint yourself with farm tools and buildings from the last century, with exhibits of wood and stone. Good to know: all 10 buildings that comprised the farm complex have survived. In addition, you can order hikes to visit the region’s nature and other attractions, on orientation and hiking trails.