Seaplane Harbour, Tallinn (must see)

The Seaplane Harbour stands as a maritime museum situated in Tallinn, which opened its doors to the public in the spring of 2012. This museum is an integral part of the Estonian Maritime Museum and is situated within the confines of the Tallinn aeroplane harbour. The building that houses the museum was originally erected as a hangar for seaplanes and is located in the vicinity of Peter the Great's Naval Fortress. This structure boasts an impressive floor area spanning 8000 square meters.

During the Soviet era, this hangar fell into disuse and disrepair. However, its revival commenced in 2010 through a renovation effort. Funding for this restoration was sourced from multiple channels, with 70% of the financial support coming from the European Regional Development Fund and the remaining 30% provided by the Estonian state.

One of the standout attractions within the museum is the 1936 submarine known as the Lembit. This submarine was originally commissioned by Estonia from the United Kingdom and has since undergone meticulous restoration to faithfully recreate its appearance from the 1930s. Additionally, the museum features a yellow submarine, designed to offer visitors a hands-on experience in piloting a submarine, as well as a full-scale replica of a World War I era Short Type 184 seaplane. Regrettably, none of the original seaplanes from that era have survived to the present day.

The museum also houses the wreckage of the Maasilinn, a wooden ship dating back to the 16th century that once plied the waters between Saaremaa and mainland Estonia. Another noteworthy exhibit is the icebreaker Suur Tõll, originally operating under the name Wäinämöinen for Finland. It was seized from the Russians near Helsinki in 1918 and subsequently gifted to Estonia by Finland in 1922, in accordance with the Treaty of Tartu.

Visitors to the Seaplane Harbour can explore a dedicated exhibit that sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the MS Estonia ferry in 1994. The museum's attractions are spread across three levels, offering experiences in the realms of aviation, maritime, and underwater exploration.

For those seeking interactive experiences, the museum offers submarine and flight simulators, as well as a pool where visitors can operate miniature ships and observe aquatic life.