Photo Museum, Photography museum in Kesklinna district, Tallinn, Estonia
The Photo Museum sits in two connected medieval buildings in the Kesklinna neighborhood, housed partly in a former prison dating to the early 1300s. The rooms display Estonian photography from 1840 to 1900 and trace how camera technology evolved while showcasing work by photographers from that era.
The former prison building underwent major reconstruction work between 1441 and 1442, with architectural plans still preserved in the Tallinn City Archives. This early rebuilding shaped the structure that would eventually become the museum space visitors see today.
The rooms display photographs that record everyday life and how the city's appearance shifted over many decades. Visitors can observe changes in streets, buildings, and the people who lived here through images from different periods.
The museum opens most days of the week, with hours that shift between seasons, staying open longer in summer months than in winter. Checking the schedule ahead of time helps ensure you arrive when the doors are open for your visit.
The museum holds photographs dating back to 1860 that show how streets and people in the city transformed across many decades. These visual records offer a rare look at life and landscapes in Tallinn long before photography became common everywhere.
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Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, offers an interesting mix of history and culture. This guide leads you to the main sights, museums, and important places in the city. You will see the old medieval town with its cobbled streets, gothic churches, and defensive towers from the 13th to the 15th century....
Tallinn Town Hall
18 m
Old Thomas
13 m
St. Nicholas' Church
183 m
Vanalinn
61 m
Church of the Holy Spirit
136 m
Tallinn Christmas Market
55 m
Saint Catherine's Monastery
151 m
Kino Sõprus
173 m
Great Guild Hall
172 m
Tallinn Legends
28 m
Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood
51 m
Pikk jalg gate tower
177 m
Packing House
36 m
Canute Guild Hall
190 m
Hopner's House
34 m
Raekoja plats 16
57 m
Eduard Vilde monument
127 m
Estonian History Museum
169 m
Püha Antoniuse altar
183 m
Kalev Marzipan Room
160 m
Father and Son
61 m
Raekoja plats 17
49 m
Saiakang 4
122 m
Viru 2
70 m
Juhan Smuul memorial
66 m
Michel Sittow relief
185 m
Pikk 16
161 m
Pikk 19
180 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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