The Maritime Museum in Tallinn (Estonia) is a collection of exhibits on fisheries, underwater archeology and other similar topics. It has two different branches: in the ancient tower "Fat Margarita" and in the modern building "Flying Harbor".
Museum History
The museum opened in February 1935 in the territory of the sea terminal, in the building of the Waterways Administration. Then there was the Baykovsky pier of the port. The director was Captain M. Madis.
During the Soviet Union (1940), the museum’s collection was disbanded, and the exhibits became part of the collections of other museums. However, in 1960, the Maritime Museum was restored. Now he is in a building called "Fat Margarita." It was put in order by 1981.
For the first time, the possibility of creating a maritime museum was discussed at the beginning of the twentieth century. The collection began in 1920. This work was the result of the initiative of a certain group of people - lovers of the history of navigation.
14 years later, a decree was signed in the country on the creation of a museum on the basis of this collection, which was called the Maritime Museum. The signature was signed by the Estonian Waterways Manager in 1934. The first head of this establishment was Captain Madis May.
The location of the museum throughout its history has repeatedly changed. First, it was housed in a building in the central part of Tallinn. The exhibits were located in spacious rooms. Currently, there is one of the terminals of the passenger port.
However, already in 1940 the location of the museum was changed. At that time, Estonia was part of the Soviet Union, many institutions were reorganized. The Sea Museum was offered a more modest place. Now the exposition was housed in a regular club for sailors. He was in the Kik-in-de-Kek tower.
The next milestone in the existence of the museum was the Great Patriotic War. During the bombing, the museum building was destroyed. Only thanks to the coherence and clarity of the actions of the workers, the collection was saved. She was transferred to the basement of this building.
After the war, the museum ceased to function as a whole. The collection was divided into parts that were housed in the City Museum of the capital, in the museums of Haapsalu and on the local island of Saaremaaa.
Only after 16 post-war years, the Museum of the Sea again began to function as a whole. According to the decree of the Minister of Culture of Estonia (at that time the Estonian SSR), the Tallinn Maritime Museum is an independent cultural institution, and all collections are located at ul. Pikk, d. 70.
However, the space at this address was not enough to accommodate all the exhibits, so part of it still had to be transferred to the territory of the former Tolstaya Margarita weapon tower. A further increase in the collection and the restoration of the tower in the late 70s (on the occasion of the Olympic Games) led to the fact that since 1980 all the exhibits have been moved to this tower, where they were located (and still are) on several floors.
Features of the tower "Fat Margarita"
The tower was built in the 16th century and was used to defend the city from various enemy forces, of which there were many at that time. It is distinguished from other similar buildings by its large thickness and low height. In different parts of the walls, small holes are visible that are similar in shape and size to the vents. Through them, targeted fire was conducted on the attackers.
The walls of this structure are massive and thick, which provided good protection. At that time, a bow was used to conduct the battle, and the fighters were called archers.
Near the tower are massive "Sea Gate", which were built long before the tower was built. They got this name because of the proximity to the port.
Nothing is known about the construction of the tower. Only the legend of two lovers, on whom the curse was imposed, has survived. One of them, named Herman, was turned into the Long Herman tower, and a girl named Margarita - into the Fat Margarita tower.
On one side of the tower is now a busy street of the city, in the other there are historical buildings and a public garden. An observation deck has been created on top of the tower, and inside is the Maritime Museum. All this is actively visited by tourists.
On the top floor of the Fat Margarita tower there is a platform for an overview of the Port of Tallinn and other environs.
Museum collection
At the exhibition of exhibits you can see the history of navigation, lighthouse and port business, regional shipbuilding. Of great interest are things found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. In addition, here you can see diving suits from different eras. In the courtyard, exhibits are in the open.
The history of maritime affairs, specifically concerning Estonia, is well consecrated in the collection, which is located in the tower "Fat Margarita". The exhibits are located on 4 floors of this ancient building. Here you can see a lot of all kinds of interesting things: ancient maps used by sailors, unusual finds that the sea brought to the Baltic coast, accessories of local fishermen and navigation aids.
In addition, the collection includes various unique photographs and historical documents. Among other things, a whole wheelhouse from a fishing trawler that has gone down in history is on display.
The museum’s collection also contains materials related to the tragedy that took place off the coast of Sweden on September 28, 1994. A model of the wrecked vessel called “Estonia” is installed here. Photos of sailors and a description of the history of the ship are also presented. Near the museum there is a monument called the “Interrupted Line” - in memory of those who died in this marine disaster.
The modern part of the Maritime Museum
Tallinn Maritime Museum (Estonia) has another branch located in a modern building and representing mostly relatively modern exhibits. According to its characteristics, it is a museum and entertainment complex. It is located in the "Flight Harbor", which is also called "Lennusad". Very close is the shore of the Baltic Sea.
Flying Harbor is focused on technology, often more modern than the one presented in the Fat Margarita tower. For example, you can look at real seaplanes or submarines of the 30s. Among the exhibits are modern Estonian warships and the Suur Tull icebreaker. Another important exhibit is an exact copy of the English Short 1 float aircraft in its natural size.
But there are also ancient gizmos. So, among other exhibits of the collection are the remains of an ancient sailing ship of the Middle Ages. Numerous ship models are also available.
The “Flying Harbor” has an outdoor exhibition right on the seashore. Anyone can walk on the deck of the ship or boat they like. And they are extremely diverse. Excursions on the outside are carried out independently of the inside. Using the Internet, you can easily arrange an individual tour for 1 hour.
The museum is adapted for visiting people with disabilities and the movement of prams. Tours are conducted immediately in three languages - English, Russian and Estonian.
Additional attributes of Flying Harbor
There are various contests and interactive events at the Flying Harbor. There is a good cafe with the name MARU, and a store. A playground has been created for children. On it you can play cubes and planes, and you can also draw or sit in a children's submarine. The Maritime Museum in Tallinn is thus not only an educational, but also an educational and entertaining site.
Museum Address
The Tallinn Harbor Maritime Museum's address is: Vesilennuki tänav 6, Põhja-Tallinna linnaosa, Tallinn.
How to get to the Summer Harbor
The Estonian Maritime Museum in Tallinn Lennusadam is located in the Kalamaj district. There are several ways to get to this place. Trams No. 1 and No. 2 and bus number 3 stop near the building. The nearest stop is Linnaholl.
You can take a walk from the so-called Old Town. Travel time is only about 20 minutes. You need to move along Pikk Street, then near the Fat Margarita Tower, and then go to the Cultural Kilometer. If you go from the Baltic Station, you need to move along Vana-Kalamaya Street, and then turn onto Kuti Street.
Those who drive their car should head to Gorhall. Then, from Pykhya Boulevard, turn onto Suur-Patarey Street and go straight ahead, adhering to the right side.
How does the Maritime Museum in Tallinn - “Lennusadam” work?
Visitors can visit this establishment during daylight hours. The working hours of the Estonian Maritime Museum in Tallinn are as follows: from May to September, it is open from 10 to 19, seven days a week. From October to April - from 10 to 18, with days off on Monday. During the holidays, the museum also works, but closes at 17 hours. The only exception is Christmas days when Lennusadam is closed. Thus, the opening hours of the Maritime Museum in Tallinn are convenient for visitors.
Reviews of Russian tourists
Almost everyone who wrote reviews about the Maritime Museum gave him an excellent rating. According to the overwhelming majority of reviewers, it has no drawbacks. The visitors paid attention to the comfortable atmosphere and variety, to a large number of exhibits. Only once in a recall complained about the insufficient volume of the collection.
A lot of emotional evaluations, the main of which is delight. They also noted the low price of tickets. Some were impressed by the observation deck on the roof of the building. Among the most interesting exhibits, they most often pointed to a submarine.