Lake Museum

The Peipsi County Museum introduces the life of the Old Believers, the kitchen and church culture, and the life and work of the world-famous icon painter Pimen Sofronov from the local village of Tiheda. Samovars, "podrushniks", icons, "lestovkas" are worth seeing. You can buy souvenirs and handicrafts related to the culture and nature of Peipsi, as well as sweets, tea mixtures and other local products. A guided tour introducing the Old Believers and the Ivan Chai tea ceremony can be booked in advance. With a museum ticket, you can also visit the Peipsi Järve Elu room with a permanent exhibition located next door.

Cyanotype is the process by which an image is produced to fabric by the combination of chemicals and UV light. The result is an image with white lines on a blue background. Make an exciting gift and produce a photo, drawing, or silhouette of a dried plant on a T-shirt or a cloth bag. Fabrics with a thinner texture which have been washed without conditioner and ironed beforehand are suitable for this. It is also possible to buy a cloth bag on site.If you want to produce a photo, send it to us in digital form no later than one day before the workshop. We will help you with the rest.

Mustvee Old Believer’s Museum is one of the 21 places in Southern Estonia worth discovering that are marked by a yellow National Geographic window; all those interested in culture and history should definitely pay a visit.The exhibits give an overview of the culture of Old Believers both in the past and in the present. The collection includes samovars, irons, clothes worn by the Old Believers, commodities, furniture and fishing equipment. Also on display – J. Kolpakov’s paintings of the churches of Mustvee, P. Mihhailov’s and his son’s wood engravings and L. Korobova’s paintings and drawings of Lake Peipus.

A wonderful morning or day tour to explore the Onion Route and Peipsi region! The tour starts from Tartu and takes you to the shores of Lake Peipsi, where you will find Alatskivi Castle and the Old Believers Museum, and encounter the charming and authentic local community. The culinary experiences will lead straight to the heart of Peipsimaa. We'll try our hand at fun workshops, enjoy delicious onion pies, tea ceremonies, and craft wine, and dive into the legends of onion braids. The bravest can also take part in an exciting ghost tour. Transportation from Tartu and back is included in the tour price. Babelhouse tours are flexible and tailored according to the group's wishes and time constraints. During the tour, you can purchase local Peipsi onions, crafts, wine, and other souvenirs. The Onion Route tour is perfect for culture enthusiasts, foreign visitors, pre- and post-conference programs, and groups of friends who want to experience the authentic culture of the Old Believers together. Book your trip and enjoy an unforgettable day by Lake Peipsi!

Supilinn is Tartu's most bohemian district, where 18th-century wooden houses, courtyards awash in urban greenery, and the banks of the Emajõgi River create an unparalleled atmosphere. It combines the best of city living with a natural environment, where you can feel the community spirit and local creativity. Go for a walk in Supilinn on the beautiful promenade along the Emajõgi River, where century-old trees and a tranquil frog pond give the city a breath of fresh air. Street art, colorful courtyards, and wooden houses tell Supilinn's story, which is best experienced during the spring Supilinn Days, when courtyards and gardens open to guests and the entire district turns into a large festival. The best way to explore Supilin is on foot or by bike, so you can notice hidden corners, shutter patterns, and backyard gardens. A walk with a local guide can reveal hidden layers of the district and highlight its bohemian spirit. More information about guided tours can be found on the Tartu Guides page.

The big beautiful prayer house in Varnja Village on the shores of Lake Peipus was funded and built by the congregation itself. Most of the many icons of the prayer house date back to the start of the 20th century.Visitors can only enter the church with a reservation.The cost of a single visit for a group starts from 50 euros. Visitors get an interesting overview of the life and history of the Old Believers from a local guide who is also an Old Believer. The excursion may last for about an hour - the visit and a warm experience are worth it!Reminder: Women are asked to enter the prayer house with a covered head.We ask you not to take photos or videos in the prayer house.

Discover Setomaa's unique culture, traditions, and authentic local foods. On this Babelhouse day trip from Tartu to Setomaa, you will explore different places and learn about life in the region. During the tour, we visit the Värska Farm Museum, where you can get a glimpse of traditional Seto farm culture and experience how life was lived in the past. We try authentic Seto cuisine, where local flavors have deep meaning. If desired, the program can be supplemented with a Seto leelo workshop, dressing in Seto clothes, a cheese-making workshop, or a raft ride on Lake Värska. Babelhouse guided tours are flexible and tailored according to the group's wishes and time limits. During the tour, it is also possible to purchase souvenirs and local handicrafts. The Setomaa tour is perfect for business partners, conference guests, and foreign friends to get to know Estonia in a different yet authentic way. Book the trip and enjoy an unforgettable experience in Setomaa!

Come and take a look at the one-storey classicist wooden building on the slope of Toomemägi in Tartu. Naturalist Karl Ernst von Baer used to live in the house from 1869 to 1896. The house was restored and turned into the Baer House Museum in 1976. The building currently belongs to the Estonian University of Life Sciences and houses the von Baer Natural History Centre.