Aparaaditehas Creative City

Tartu City Museum invites you to explore the city's diverse history and cultural heritage. The permanent exhibition, "Our Tartu," introduces the districts of Tartu, telling stories about the people of Tartu, their lives, and everyday habits. The exhibition provides insight into what makes each district in Tartu special, as each district has its own personality, as shared by local people. Visitors can also enjoy temporary exhibitions that introduce new topics and artistic perspectives. These exhibitions reveal different facets of Tartu, ranging from the city's architecture and social life to contemporary cultural phenomena. The museum offers guided tours and city tours, during which guides take participants on exciting journeys through Tartu's districts. These excursions are suitable for both local enthusiasts and visitors who wish to learn more about Tartu. The museum's premises can also be rented for various events. Come experience the story of Tartu through its people, places, and memories.

Tunnels dug in the bright sandstone of Piusa's caves are undoubtedly one of the best-known tourist attractions in ancient Võromaa. For several years now, a fun bat-shaped visitor centre has been waiting here for visitors. The Piusa visitor centre has a cafe, seminar room, craft room, cinema hall and numerous exhibits. Guests can watch a movie about bats, the most important inhabitants of caves, in the cinema hall, and then head along with a guide to the museum cave viewing platform. There are no bats in the caves in the summer because they only come here to winter. Right behind the museum cave is Piusa sand quarry, Estonia's largest sandbox. The Piusa visitor centre and the picturesque sandy hills offer a unique experience where nature and history intertwine – the mysterious caves of former glass sand mines can be discovered here and the most beautiful views of the sand quarry in Estonia can be enjoyed. With its steep slopes and sandstone outcrops, the Piusa sandy hills are like a natural adventure park that captivates both hiking enthusiasts and photographers.

Katre Arula`s Handicraft Workshop, where you will find crafter Katre Arula, is located in the courtyard of Põltsamaa Castle. In the workshop's store, you will find high-quality unique original creations and genuine Estonian handicraft items picked personally by Katre. The selection includes: clothes, bags, scarves, belts, gloves, jewellery, candles, ceramics, household textiles and small sweet knick-knacks.Groups can book an introduction of Katre's creation and work. She will demonstrate the items and explain their origin. She also makes custom-made items according to the client's specification.It is possible to book workshops.

The Museum of Living History in Varnja is a permanent exhibition which introduces the life of the Old Believers in the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The museum examines the life of three villages in the Peipus area.The museum was created with love and it gives the visitor an opportunity to feel the centuries-old vibe.On request, the museum serves samovar tea and pies baked in a Russian oven. The exact price will be agreed upon with the service provider.If you wish, you can order a guide (20 euros). As the museum is small, up to 25 people can visit it at a time.

The Kodavere Heritage Center in Tartu County breathes new life into the historical Pala Town Hall, which has been the heart of the local community for years. The center showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Peipsi region and is a place where old stories, languages, and traditions are revitalized. Visitors can gain a comprehensive overview of the history of Kodavere parish municipalities and town halls, and view the intriguing photo exhibition "People of Kodavere Parish in Oskar Tõrva's Glass Negatives," which reveals the everyday and festive life of rural areas a century ago. Additionally, they can admire the handicraft exhibition "Kodavere Kupuliud," highlighting the skills of local craftsmen and folk aesthetics. A separate display is dedicated to the Kodavere dialect, an essential part of the region's identity. The center also features a memorial room for poet Anna Haava and an exhibit "Song Festivals in Pala 100 Years Ago." Guided tours and heritage culture workshops are offered by reservation, suitable for both school groups and adults.

Põltsamaa Food and Wine Museum – discover the story of Estonia's food and wine industry! Põltsamaa Food and Wine Museum takes you on an exciting journey through more than 100 years of the Estonian food and wine industry. Põltsamaa Castle's museum houses a permanent exhibition on the second floor that introduces the development story of ETK Põltsamaa Factories since the 1920s, when coffee, potato starch, and wine were produced here. You can also discover the unique foods of the Soviet era — tube foods made for cosmonauts. The exhibition awaits you with genuine historical production equipment, fascinating exhibits, and products from various decades that tell the story of Põltsamaa as an important center for Estonia's food and wine industry. The museum is also accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. Wine tasting and various food packages are offered by Restaurant Oberpahlen, which operates in the castle. Come and discover the flavors, stories, and memories that have shaped Põltsamaa's place in Estonian food culture!

The Saatse Museum's main building was originally a residential building, then a school building, and now it's a museum. What makes Saatse Museum special are the texts painted on the wall and the opportunity to watch old film clips about the history and religion of Setomaa. The former classroom on the upper floor is set up in the style of the Soviet era. The museum has a spacious outdoor area and a small stage, so it's a nice place to have a picnic. A small hiking trail runs along the border and starts and ends at the museum — it can be walked even when the museum is closed.

Would you like to learn more about the past and present of Estonia's national defense force or see the places where battles took place in Valga County? When visiting the War Museum, you can get acquainted with military and armored vehicles, tanks, a Forest Brothers bunker, see the largest weapon collection in Estonia, and more. You can test your shooting skills on a shooting simulator. For groups, we offer guided tours, fun rides in various military vehicles, role-playing games with laser weapons, or flight simulations in an MI-8 helicopter, upon reservation. Our seminar hall can host various events, and we offer various military-themed packages.