Between discovering Riga and revisiting Budapest last autumn, I squeezed in four wonderful days in Tallinn. More than enough time for such a small capital, I also ventured outside the old city walls. So on my third morning there, a 30-minute bus ride led me to the Estonian Open Air Museum.
This life-sized reconstruction of Estonian villages made for quite an interesting visit. The layout is that of a rural village, including farms, windmills, a school, a church, and more. It’s a faithful representation of Estonia’s rural architecture and way of life during the past few centuries. Specifically, we can glimpse at life from the 18th to the 20th century in Estonia. In addition, the oldest structure in the museum is the Sutlepa church, dating back to 1670. It’s one of the oldest wooden buildings in Estonia built in the Sutlepa village of Noarootsi parish.
Opened in 1957, the museum comprises farms from Western, Eastern, and Northern Estonia as well as the islands. Almost 80 houses from the past two hundred years make up the open-air museum we see today. I equally loved the older constructions and the picturesque wooden farmhouses. It was hard to put down my camera because something eye-catching would always await me behind the corner!
That frosty autumn morning, I discovered the Estonian open-air museum all on my own. Arriving at opening time, I strolled through at a brisk pace, trying to keep myself warm. With no sound but the wind and the birds, I felt transported back in time. The golden foliage was magnificent in the early morning light. In short, it was more than worth the frozen toes!
The layout is fairly simple to follow, making it impossible to lose your way. I’m only mentioning that as someone who sort of got lost in bigger open-air museums before! Many of the buildings are very rural, constructed with huge wooden logs.
However, it’s not all rustic buildings and nature. A more recent addition to the museum, you’ll find an apartment building from 1964. Originally from a former collective farm, the Kolhoz apartment building takes you back to the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, and 2010s. The four different apartments depict the average life of rural people in Estonia. Furthermore, there is an adorable village shop dating back to 1914. Best of all, you can purchase goods typical of the era!
This place is a wonderful opportunity to visually delve into Estonia’s history. As expected, there are also plenty of activities you can try at the Estonian Open Air Museum. From workshops to riding horses and more, there’s something for everyone. Since the museum is open all year, many original seasonal events take place, from excursions, and sleigh rides, to festivals.
Overall, the Estonian Open Air Museum should be on your radar if you’re visiting Tallinn. A short bus ride away will take you back in time through Estonia’s intriguing history. At the end of the day, it also makes for a charming walk in nature if you need to escape the city. Even though I doubt that happens with Tallinn, seeing as it’s a little fairytale city!
