Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom


The permanent exhibition here, ‘Freedom Without Borders’, is divided into five sections examining the suffering of Estonians over five decades of occupation by both the Nazis and Soviets, and the processes of recovery and regaining freedom. The photos and artefacts are interesting but it’s the enthralling video testimony that leaves the greatest impression – and the joy of a happy ending. The museum maintains the former KGB prison cells as a separate historical site (an adult/reduced ticket for both is €14/9).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Estonian National Library

0.15 MILES

Construction commenced in 1985, but the Raine Karp–designed Estonian National Library wasn’t completed until 1993, making this exemplary Soviet structure…

2. Bastion Passages

0.16 MILES

Tours exploring the 17th-century Swedish-built tunnels connecting the bastions that ring the town walls depart from the Kiek in de Kök tower. Over the…

3. Linda Hill

0.16 MILES

Shaded by the 250-year-old linden trees of Lindamäe Park, this small mound near the top of Toompea is named after Linda, wife of Kalev, the heroic first…

4. Kiek in de Kök

0.16 MILES

This stout, five-storey cannon tower was one of Tallinn’s most formidable defences when built in the 15th century. Its name (amusing to English ears) is…

5. Freedom Square

0.18 MILES

This large paved plaza, once the staging ground for 'spontaneous' displays of Soviet enthusiasm, is now used for summer concerts, skateboarding, impromptu…

6. Toompea Castle

0.22 MILES

This Janus-faced pile turns a sugar-pink baroque facade towards Toompea, and a stern 14th-century Livonian visage to the sea and intervening suburbs…

7. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral

0.23 MILES

The positioning of this magnificent, onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral (completed in 1900) at the heart of the country's main administrative hub was…

8. Niguliste Museum

0.26 MILES

Dating from the 13th century, the imposing St Nicholas' Church (Niguliste kirik) was badly damaged by Soviet bombers in 1944 and a fire in the 1980s, but…