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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