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  • History & Culture
  • Museums
  • Family friendly
  • Guided tours

Piusa visitor centre

Võru vald, Võru maakond, 64122

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.

Amenities

  • Information boards
  • Free parking
  • Seminar room
  • Recreation area/picnic ground

Open times

1. sept - 28. sept

E-R12:00 - 16:00
L-P12:00 - 17:00

31. mai - 31. aug

11:00 - 18:00

1. okt - 31. mai

L-P12:00 - 16:00

Contact

  • +372 53044120
  • piusainfo@gmail.com

Links

piusa.ee

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  • Guided tours

Tartu Observatory Visitor Centre

A visit to the Tartu Observatory Visitor Centre in Tõravere represents one of the places worth exploring in South Estonia, marked with a yellow National Geographic window. It is highly recommended for space enthusiasts. What you can see at the observatory: An outdoor area and the Stellarium with space attractions The hilly landscape of Tõravere through the yellow window The largest telescope in the Nordic countries, with a 1.5 m mirror Exhibitions and activities for schools and businesses. Come and visit us; we've got the cosmos here! In autumn, winter, and spring, tours are by appointment only. They are held on weekdays for a minimum of ten people.

  • Guided tours

Käre Battlefields

With scenic beauty and rich history, the Käre Battlefields offer pastime and a delight to the eye.Historically, the Käre farm has been a war zone, and the forest hides numerous bunkers, trenches and military artefacts. The place, at its most authentic, takes us back to the battlefields of 1944.The aim of the club, which is based at the Käre Battlefields, is to preserve and exhibit old equipment and antiuqes. The historical heritage is combined with modern leisure activities such as guided walks near trenches and bunkers or safaris in the countryside.

  • Green Key
  • Family friendly
  • Guided tours

AHHAA Science Centre

AHHAA is family-friendly, with activities for both young and old science enthusiasts. At AHHAA, science comes to life, and the joy of discovery never ends. Interactive exhibitions, engaging science shows and workshops, and exciting planetarium sessions take you to the heart of science and technology. Our guided tours open doors that you might not otherwise notice. We believe that science is a driving force in the world. Our goal is to spark curiosity, inspire thinking, and encourage you to ask why and how. Come to the AHHAA Science Centre in Tartu to get your hands on science and see the world from a new perspective.

  • Pet friendly
  • Family friendly
  • Guided tours
  • Workshops
  • Virtual reality (VR)

Lake Museum

The main exposition of the Lake Museum is live Estonian freshwater fish. Our freshwater fish are not exhibited elsewhere in Estonia in such species quantity.About half of Estonia's freshwater fish live here, including more exotic species, as well as turtles, lake balls, and crayfish.You can visit 2 floor aquariums and 2 large cylindrical aquariums. There are more than 25 different aquariums in total. There is also a collection of fishing gear, an exhibition of primitive fish, and much more!You can book a sauna raft for a pleasure cruise or a sauna session and use a seminar room with a million-dollar view. During summers, a café is open.

  • Guided tours
  • Workshops

Varnja Samovar House

Peipsiveere Samovar House is a small museum in the Old Believers' village of Varnja that introduces visitors to the world of samovars and tea culture along Lake Peipsi. The private collection, accumulated over decades, contains more than 200 diverse samovars. From simple tin samovars to rare ones with elaborate engravings, reflecting the skills and traditions of masters from different eras. The exhibition, located in an authentic Old Believers' house, offers visitors insight into why the samovar was more than just a kettle for centuries. Stories reveal the origins of samovars, manufacturing techniques, usage methods, different design types, and tea-drinking traditions in the communities along the lake. Every guest can taste genuine samovar tea and the famous Ivan chai, and try traditional boiled sugar with the tea, an integral part of Old Believers' tea culture. If desired, one can also explore handmade samovar accessories and hear stories from the hostess of Mesi Tare about preparing, serving, and respectfully preserving tea.

  • Green Key
  • Family friendly
  • Virtual reality (VR)

Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum

The Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum, located in the center of Tartu, is the largest and most modern interactive museum in the Baltics. Every sports fan will feel like a winner! The permanent exhibition "The Story of Estonian Sports" features the most interesting moments of Estonian sports, from heroic deeds to doping dramas. The museum offers visitors over 15 interactive attractions and is home to the Estonian Sports Hall of Fame. Several hands-on attractions are especially exciting, such as VR with legendary sports arenas and stars, an interactive basketball corner, a retro room, a commentator's corner, a historical gym, and more. Come and discover the exciting world of sports with friends and family!

  • Family friendly
  • Guided tours

Ice Age Centre

At the Ice Age Centre, you can travel through time from the ice age to the future. Discover the Ice Age Centre in Tartu County, on the shores of Lake Saadjärve. Interactive exhibitions take you on a journey from the last ice age to the present and beyond, revealing the story of the universe, Earth, and the evolution of life. The symbol of the Ice Age Centre is the mammoths that lived in this area 10,000 years ago. You will also encounter cave lions, ancient deer, and other Ice Age animals to learn how nature developed. The exhibitions clearly and engagingly explain the causes of climate change, the impact of human activity on the environment, and possible future scenarios. In the centre, you can move at your own pace, participate in themed tours, or use an audio guide suitable for both adults and children. The family-friendly environment makes the visit interesting for visitors of all ages. During the summer season, you can enhance your visit with a raft ride on Lake Saadjärve, and year-round, you are welcome at the Ice Age Centre café.

  • Guided tours
  • Workshops
  • Manors

Luke Manor

Luke Manor invites you to discover the historical architecture of its former knight's manor and the enchanting park, where you can find the stylish dollhouse-like Kärnerimaja, which has an information point, an exhibition introducing the manor, and a café in the summer. The restored Governor's House adds historical depth to the manor complex. The water fountain and the pavilion's view of the ponds invite you to immerse yourself in the romance of the manor era. The manor's terraces, an alley of uniquely shaped trees, and the concrete lion statues on the stairs (a favorite with the youngest visitors) create a unique and majestic atmosphere. At Luke Manor, you can organize a seminar, take a tour, attend a concert, or tinker in the craft workshop!

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