Lake Museum

Theatre House, situated in Tartu Old Town, is a theatre inspired by a museum, forming a part of the Tartu Toy Museum. The Theatre House takes its inspiration from our childhood, the games we played, the dreams we had, and the fantasies we brought to life. The Theatre House stages plays, but you can also put on your own show, play games, make handicrafts, and discover what goes on behind the scenes in the theatre world. There is a children’s studio on the first floor, in which children’s groups can take part in theatre-themed programmes. Visitors find a museum, an automated puppet theatre, and several exciting theatre-themed exhibitions in the basement level.

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.

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.

Tartu Art House is the home of the Tartu Artists’ Union and the heart of the city's art scene. It's not just a gallery room; it's a vibrant meeting place where creativity, diverse perspectives, and the spirit of an era meet. Art House is an important cultural node that brings together Estonian and international artists – known top performers, bold new talents, and, of course, all art lovers – on a regular basis. In three distinctive galleries, exhibitions alternate frequently, offering viewers something new and inspiring at every visit. Various forms of contemporary art are represented. Curators' offices, discussions, and meetings with artists help to gain a deeper understanding of the work on display and bring art closer to visitors for a more personal experience. All exhibitions and excursions are free for visitors. It is also possible to participate in practical workshops. Tartu Art House is waiting for you to discover Estonian art; a visit can show you a new perspective.

In the leather studio workshop, you can make a personalised keychain under the guidance of the leather designer Tiina Andron. Different metal studs, leathers, rivets, and key rings are used. The workshop is suitable for everyone (from school age). In addition to making a keychain, you will get to explore Antonius Courtyard, see the completion of various works, and hear the designers talk about their work.More leather studio workshops for groups can be found here.

What is special about the University of Tartu and where does the spirit of the university manifest itself?The University of Tartu Museum introduces the history of science and university education from the 17th century to the present day and tells the exciting story of Tartu Cathedral.The seven floors of the museum offer the following:- the most precious treasures of the University of Tartu in the Treasury- the spirit of Tartu and the university at the exhibition The University of Our Lives- an exhibition of the gifts made to the university in the White Hall- a good luck formula in the physics office of Georg Friedrich Parrot- Crazy Scientist's office for children interested in scienceIn addition, temporary exhibitions and viewing platforms are open in the summer!See you at Toome Hill!

Karilatsi Open Air Museum is a unique open air museum in Southern Estonia which provides an overview of the life of Vana-Võromaa County about 100 years ago.On the 5-hectare territory of the museum, you can experience moments from the school life and farm work of that time and get to know everyday simple tools. Workshops and lessons on traditions and customs: smoke sauna customs, Võromaa wedding customs, celebrations, folk calendar year, and many other experience programmes (e.g. court session in Võru language, old school lesson). You can see a school, a court, and an almshouse with their smaller buildings, a granary, a barn-dwelling, a cottar farm, and a Dutch windmill. Agricultural machinery and vehicles are also on display. Ticket sales to the museum end one hour before closing.

Who are the Russian Old Believers? How and when did they arrive in Estonia? Why did they settle in the Peipsi region, and what are their customs? Why have they grown onions this way for centuries? The Old Believers Museum in Kolkja is located on the Onion Route and tells visitors the story of the Peipsi Region's Russian Old Believers. The exhibition is in Estonian, English, and Russian and includes virtual reality, where you can experience the Old Believer prayer. We also offer hour-long guided tours in Estonian and Russian. There is an observation tower overlooking Lake Peipsi at the museum! Come and discover the world of the Old Believers in Kolkja!