Rare Metsavenna Farm

Between Hellenurme, Elva, and Otepää, there is a unique opportunity to see Estonia's last historical water-powered flour and grist mill in operation – the Hellenurme Water Mill. Upon arrival, we explore the mill building and views over the mill pond to Hellenurme Manor, then we open the turbine, and the mill begins to work, powered by water. Through the mill's four floors, you can see, touch, and feel the power of the mill, and soon fresh flour and grist fall into the bag as in the old days. In the bread house, you can try breadmaking under the guidance of the Mill Mistress, honoring traditions and telling stories about bread and the wisdom of ancestors. In the bread trough, dough is kneaded from sourdough. Each guest molds their own little loaf from a dough ball, which the Mill Mistress throws into the large bread oven with an old bread peel. Soon, the bread house fills with the smell of bread, and each guest can take their loaf from the oven, which tastes warm and buttery like an unforgettable dessert! As writer Juhan Liiv wrote: "... warm bread – imagine!"

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.

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 permanent exhibition Earth. Life. Story. includes nearly 8,000 scientific exhibit items, which tell the development story of planet Earth from the beginning of the universe until the modern day. At the exhibition, you can explore the traces of life from millions of years ago, admire shiny minerals, watch the so-called night airport of butterflies, or track the movement of the placoderm fish from the Devonian era. You can look the first jackal caught in Estonia in the eye and experience the human body through the eyes of a reptile. Visitors will be glad to see the favourites of several generations: the elk, bison, and giraffe. We also have live animals, such as the Python Regius, a turtle, a green iguana, and many other small exotic animals. See you at the Natural History Museum!

Mooste Manor, established at the time when the Nolcken family ruled the area, lies on the shore of Lake Mooste. Beside the beautiful manor house you will find the pride of Mooste Manor, one of the most impressive auxiliary building ensembles built in the historicist style. Most of the buildings are constructed from stones and decorated with brick. An English-style park adds to the appearance of the manor. The manor house accommodates a school, and the former woodworking workshop has been renovated into the Mooste Manor Guest House. A restorer’s workshop operates in the old workhorse stable, and the Centre for Arts and Social Practice occupies the steward’s house, while the former barn has been transformed into a 500-seat concert hall.

Discover the heart of Estonian literature: the Oskar Luts Home Museum in Tartu! The museum is a quiet, charming place that takes you back in time and offers a glimpse into the life of one of Estonia's most beloved writers, Oskar Luts (1887–1953). The museum is located in a functionalist house built in the 20th century, where the author's personal belongings, furniture, manuscripts, and work desk have been preserved. The permanent exhibition reveals Luts's influence on literature, theatre, and film. The authentic atmosphere and warm stories offer a meaningful experience even for those just discovering his name. This is not just a museum, but a home where literature and life meet!

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.

The 19th-century Tartu Citizen's Home Museum is located in one of the most unique areas of Tartu's Old Town, close to St. John's Church. The museum is housed in a wooden building completed in the 1740s, making it one of the oldest surviving residential houses in Tartu. With its historical ambiance and meticulously restored interior, the building takes visitors back to the early 19th century, when Tartu was a vibrant city of wealthy citizens and craftsmen. At the museum, you can learn more about the daily lives of urban citizens in the 1830s. Various rooms, furnished in the German Biedermeier style typical of the era, can be seen. The cozy, authentic atmosphere offers an opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of everyday life in a 19th-century Tartu home. During the summer season, a small garden is open, where plants and flowers of the period thrive, offering a glimpse of what urban greenery might have looked like almost two centuries ago. It is possible to participate in guided, thematic tours and educational programs.