The Estonian Maritime Museum (Eesti Meremuuseum) is a collector, preserver, researcher, and presenter of Estonian maritime culture (maritime history). “Our mission is to increase people’s knowledge, respect, and love for the sea.”
The Estonian Maritime Museum was established in Tallinn in 1935 on the initiative of former captains and sailors. Throughout its long history, the museum has undergone several changes. The museum’s main exhibition has been located since 1981 in the Paks Margareeta artillery tower, which has a history of nearly 500 years. The Maritime Museum opened its second exhibition space in May 2012 at the Seaplane Harbour.
Currently, the Estonian Maritime Museum is one of the largest museums in Estonia and is also the most popular museum, especially thanks to the Seaplane Harbour exhibition.
In the seaplane hangar at Seaplane Harbour,you can find the Lembit submarine, built in 1937 at the Vickers-Armstrong shipyard in England, the Short 184 seaplane, the wreck of the Maasilinn ship (which is the oldest wreck found in Estonian waters), as well as many authentic exhibition items such as sailboats, boats, and sea mines. Additionally, the museum features the MARU café and museum shop, cinemas, simulators, a children’s area, and many other interesting attractions. In addition to the permanent exhibition, various seasonal exhibitions related to maritime and its history are also open.
On the outdoor area, there is a children’s playground and a harbor where the 100-year-old steam-powered icebreaker Suur Tõll and other museum ships are located.
Inside the Fat Margaret artillery tower, museum visitors can embark on a journey to explore the history of Estonian maritime and fishing from its beginnings to the present day. The exhibition extends through four floors. There is also a rooftop terrace open, offering a beautiful view of the passenger harbor, the city center, and over the rooftops of the old town.
On display are over a hundred magnificent scale models of ships – from old sailing vessels to modern cargo and passenger ships.