Discover Viljandi
The city of Viljandi and its surroundings offer a wide range of activities for culture lovers, history buffs, nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and families with children.
Ugala Theatre
Vaksali Street 7, Viljandi
600 m 8 min
Ugala Theatre is one of the oldest professional drama theatres in Estonia, established in 1920. Ugala’s repertoire is very diverse, ranging from children’s stories and musicals to world classics and modern world dramaturgy.
Schloss Fellin theatre package:
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Viljandi Castle Hills
200 m 3 min
The ruins of Viljandi Castle and the park around it have been a beloved recreation area for the people of Viljandi since the beginning of the last century and are now a national monument. Built in the 13th century on the site of the Estonians’ stronghold, the Viljandi Castle took its full shape and size by the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the most prominent fortresses in Estonia and Latvia.
The first front stronghold is called Kaevumägi, the second front stronghold is called Second Kirsimägi and the third front stronghold is called First Kirsimägi. Concerts and sporting events are held on the castle hill, which offers a beautiful view of Lake Viljandi. In order to reach the castle hills from the town, a suspension bridge was installed in 1931 in a 13-metre-deep ditch at Kaevumägi.
Kondas Centre
Pikk Street 8, Viljandi
300 m 4 min
The old parsonage building houses an outsider and professional art museum with works by one of Estonia’s best-known naive artists, Paul Kondas (1900-1985). The five exhibition rooms alternate between Estonian and foreign artists. The museum offers educational programmes, many of which are suitable for visitors with families. A small museum shop is open in the centre. The museum’s collection is made up of works by self-taught artists.
It is interesting to know, the large concrete strawberries adorning Viljandi’s city are inspired by Paul Kondas’ painting ‘Strawberry Eaters’.
Estonian Traditional Music Centre
Tasuja Street 6, Viljandi
180 m 2 min
Estonian Traditional Music Centre (Pärimusmuusika ait) is a concert hall and a cultural centre for Estonian traditional music, located in the historic fence building of Viljandi Manor. The building includes a large and a small concert hall, as well as a shop with a selection of records, books and instruments. In the basement, between majestic brick arches, musicians practice and conduct activities in the August Pulst School and the folk music information collection.
Various concerts and performances are organised in the garden throughout the year. Come and enjoy the annual Viljandi Traditional Music Festival, the autumn harvest party and the spring outdoor festival Folkloob.
Old Water Tower
J. Laidoner's Square 5c, Viljandi
600 m 8 min
Viljandi was one of the first towns in Estonia to get water and sewerage. Completed in 1911, the 30-metre-high water tower made of red brick and an octagonal wooden top and used today as a lookout tower. The three floors of the tower house a permanent exhibition, as well as various travelling exhibitions. The water tower is an important part of Viljandi’s skyline as a city of towers, offering a beautiful view of Lake Viljandi and the old town.
Museum of Viljandi
J. Laidoneri plats 10, Viljandi
500 m 7 min
The Museum of Viljandi is in an old pharmacy building, with a permanent exhibition on two floors covering the history of Viljandi up to the mid-20th century, and temporary exhibitions of various kinds. A rich collection of archaelogical finds gives an insight into the prehistoric period. The medieval period is represented by a model of Viljandi Order Castle, together with artefacts from that period. Before visiting the castle ruins, it is a good idea to have a look at the model. Folk culture is introduced by a large-scale model of a hermitage and a display of folk costumes and jewellery.
Heimtali Museum
Heimtali, Viljandi parish
9 km 10 min
The museum is housed in Heimtali’s old village schoolhouse, a beautiful country building from 1864. The permanent exhibition of the Heimtali Museum’s multi-layered collection includes school furniture from a hundred years ago, old documents and tools from the surrounding area. The collection of folk textiles is particularly rich, as is the library of folk art, folklore and decorative arts. The children’s playroom has a range of cats, dogs, piglets and other domestic animals knitted in clove patterns. The permanent exhibition is curated and designed by textile artist Anu Raud.
Olustvere Manor
Mõisa Street 12, Olustvere
22 km 18 min
Olustvere Manor, with a history going back several hundred years, is now a tourist centre, with a variety of chambers for workshops are set up in the manor buildings: blacksmith, craft, linen and cloth, ceramics and glass, bakery and stable building. The latter also houses Voldemar Lucht’s miniature collection of wooden horses and Ilmar Tilga’s collection of bird and animal prints. Guided tours of the Olustvere manor complex.
The Mulgi Experience Centre
Sooglemäe, Ala, Tõrva parish, Valgamaa
48 km 40 min
The Mulgi Experience Centre introduces the heritage and history of Mulgimaa, in a traditional way and smart modern solutions - stories, customs, mythology and folklore. There are activities and things to see for children and adults alike.