What to do and see in Tallinn, Harju County: The Best Specialty Museums

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.

The exhibition shows 60 objects which have been reconstructed on the basis of original Leonardo da Vinci sketches. Thanks to interactive exhibits,everyone can experience himself the mechanisms of these inventions that were centuries ahead of their time and an inspiration for contemporary engineering.

Founded in the first half of the 13th century, this church was dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants and seafarers, remained active as a place of worship until World War II and reopened in 1984 as a subsidiary of the Art Museum of Estonia.

Within just a 15-minute drive from the center of Tallinn there is a delightful place – the Estonian Open Air Museum that invites you to see rural architecture and get acquainted with village life. The 14 farms of the museum show the visitor the life of families of different income and occupation in the 18th-20th centuries. As in anyreal village, there is a church, an inn, a school, a number of mills, a fire station, a village shop and net sheds by the sea. Although 74 buildings have been brought over so far, the museum is far from being completed; it is constantly changing and developing. You can have good time and also learn something at the Estonian Open Air Museum in any season!

Welcome aboard! Seaplane Harbour is an exciting maritime museum in Tallinn, Estonia for the whole family. Located in the unique and historic seaplane hangar, our interactive exhibition includes a real submarine from mid-1930s, seaplane Short 184, a 100-year-old ice-breaker, two cinemas, many simulators and much more. And while you are here, take a look at one of the nicest souvenir shops in Tallinn or eat local food at our restaurant MARU. During the summer, welcome to visit our little street food stand called Mini-MARU museum outside area. Audio guide available in following languages: English; Estonian; Russian; Finnish; Latvian; French; Germany; Spanish; Chinese; Japanese. We're open during the holidays 2019-2020: http://meremuuseum.ee/lennusadam/en/opening-times/

The Estonian Theatre and Music Museum collects, preserves, studies and introduces Estonian cultural heritage in the field of theatre and music. New permanent exhibition "Stories and Songs" Our exhibition's stories are a part of Estonia's literary classics, and the songs are part of a repertoire that is known by every Estonian. Through them, we present the collections of the Estonian Theatre and Music Museum and the history of our country, where an important place is held by both music and theatre. Estonians do not call themselves pople of music and theatre for nothing! The exhibition is presented in Estonian and English; Russian and Finnish translations are provided on tablets.

The museum’s permanent exposition "A Heart to Heart About Your Body" provides both adults and children with excellent basic knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the human body, senses, sexuality, hygiene and health care issues. Estonian Health Museum is located in Tallinn's Old Town. We have 15 exciting theme rooms, various models, interactive displays, computer programs and hands-on games to demonstrate how the human body functions. Visitors say about us: "Extremely well set up, every city should have one!" "Amazing and unique place!" "Playful and interactive!" "Educational for all ages!" "Awesome modern museum. A real hidden gem."