Arhitektuurimuuseum (Museum of Estonian Architecture), Tallinn

One of the more eclectic places to visit in Tallinn has to be the Museum of Estonian Architecture. It is quite fascinating. The institution is located in the Old city, inside Rotermann’s Salt Storage building. It is near Tallinn harbor. The purpose of the museum is to collect, preserve, and exhibit the architecture of the city. Most of the materials are from the 20th century, but you will see some fine examples from the previous century as well

There is a wonderful collection of old city maps here, as well as other architectural drawings and projects. They have also managed to preserve some old models of city buildings. It’s an architect’s dream.

The building that houses the museum is also quite beautiful, from an architectural point of view. It is made from local limestone, and was designed by the famous architect Ernst Boustedt. The location was completed in 1908. Reconstruction was done in 1995, to get the museum up to ship shape again, as maintenance suffered during the Soviet era of government.

Have a look at all the Art Nouveau and Art deco objects here, as they constitute the core of the collection. Most of the collection is from the 1920s and 1920s. Also post-war architecture of the 1940s and 50s is relatively well represented.