Things to do in Ida-Viru County, Ida-Viru County: The Best Specialty Museums

Our VR attractions connect people with history. The mild summer breeze gently moves the petals of the flowers blooming in the rosary. The smell of flowering roses enchants walkers in the garden, and there, on the edge of the bank overlooking the sea, stands a magnificent pink-white building. No one yet asks, "But where was it?" An exciting virtual tour of July 1938 in the Toila-Oru Park!

An underground museum has been opened in the former Kohtla mines. Join an excursion with a guide to see how oil shale is mined and the machinery and technology that is used to do so. Take a ride on an underground train and try your hand at drilling, using a real drill! The above-ground exhibits and underground visit take around one hour and a half to see and complete. The museum provides every visitor with a special jacket, helmet and miner’s lamp.Starting from 20 October 2011 until spring 2012 the underground exhibition at the mine is being completely redesigned. The other parts of the museum remain open for visits, and we still offer miners' lunches when booked in advance.

Founded in 1975, the museum is located in a former ministry school building. Its permanent displays are arranged thematically in separate rooms, where you will obtain an excellent overview of life in the country, farms in the olden days, the work of master craftsmen and the history of the local fire fighting service. Separate exhibitions focus on the unique natural environment and diversity of the area, the history of the Iisaku school and the writer of the well-known Estonian song ‘Ema suda’ /A Mother’s Heart/. The teacher’s apartment on the second floor presents a picture of life in the early 20th century, and there is a special exhibit looking at the Iisaku region’s population of half-Estonian/half-Russians. If you wish, you can also watch locally shot films.

This museum in Narva-Joesuu has picture archives illustrating the history and culture of the resort town. You will find out about the famous people who have lived there, and those who have spent their summers on the ‘Estonian riviera’.Did you know…?*The museum is located in a building which was once home to one of Estonia’s most famous authors, A. H. Tammsaare.

The wagon of the Avinurme museum train on display will give you an idea of how people were deported to Siberia.In the middle of the wagon you will see a rusty stove, while at both ends there are bunk beds on which mannequins sit and lie, squashed in like sardines in a tin. They are dressed in the clothes they had at the time and have with them authentic items, such as aluminium soup pots with the handles of the ladles peeking out over the edge, baskets stuffed with whatever rags they could bring with them, a Singer sewing machine and more.

The 'Way Of Life' Centre, situated in the heart of Avinurme, opened in June 2010. It has two woodwork and handicraft workshops. Come and try your own hand at woodwork, not only using old-style benches but also modern equipment. You can test your manual skills in the handicraft workshops, from spinning to weaving. There is an exhibition of local cultural history on the second floor entitled "A life borne from wood" and a display entitled "Hunting as a way of life". Did you know...?* Groups are also welcome - you can choose between programmes lasting from 1 to 3 hours* The centre showcases the work of people from Avinurme, which you can also purchase