City Tour The Red Tower Rüütli Street The Town Hall

St. Catherine"s Church The Elizabeth"s Church Breakwaters

“Estonia can take pride in Pärnu, the resort of joviality, which every traveller round the Baltic Sea – wherever they come from – should visit. A summer stay in Pärnu, with its brilliant sunshine, salty sea, refreshing western winds, charming lanes, excellent bathing opportunities, modern health rehabilitation facilities, music and friendly people, will remove any fears for tomorrow from the faces of our worried generation, whatever their needs might be.” This description dates from 1936.

Today, Pärnu attracts the youth by its beautiful beach and wide range of entertaining events; more mature people appreciate its fresh air, mud baths and quiet environment. There is something to please everyone.

Pärnu is a health resort of international stature. In addition to guests arriving from around fifty countries, it is also proved by its membership in the European Spas Association (since 2000) and the European Blue Flag that has been flying at the beach of Pärnu since 2001.

City Tour

During the city tour you will see the oldest building in Parnu - the Red Tower, which is the only remains of the medieval fortification system in Parnu survived till today. The bastions, a part of the moat ( Vallikaar )and Tallinn gate date back to the 17th century. View the newly renovated 17th-19th century dwelling houses, warehouses and schools during your walk along the main shopping street. On the way to the beach you will see the beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture - the Ammende Villa.

The Red Tower

The former prison tower erected in the southeastern corner of the town wall in the 15th century is the only preserved fortification tower of Uus-Pärnu, a Hanse town of the Middle Ages. The tower got its name from the red brick lining that covered it in- and outside. In 1624, it was a four-floor building with a prison floor that was 6 m deep. Today, it has only three floors due to the renovation work carried out to extend the town prison in the 1780s. In 1893-1908, the building was used by the town archives. The tower was renovated in 1973-1980 without restoring its red brick lining. Tower.

Rüütli Street

This is the main street of the Old Town. The most beautiful old buildings of the town are located there. There is the Town Museum in one of the buildings in the 53 Rüütli Street that dismays the past and present of Parnu town.

The Town Hall

The strictly classicist buildings were erected in 1797 as a dwelling for P. R. Harder, a merchant. The Russian Czar Alexander I stayed there during his visit to Pärnu in 1806. After the death of the owner, the buildings were bought by the armed forces and rebuilt in 1819 to be used as the House of the Commander of the town (its high stone roof was replaced by a lead roof). It has served as the Town Hall since 1839 when Pärnu was deleted from the list of fortresses and the building was municipalized. The Jugendstil extension with neo-gothic and neo-baroque traits at the corner was completed in 1911 for the Town Council (designed by W. Bockslaff).

St. Catherine"s Church

The Elizabeth"s Church

The church named for the Empress of Russia Elizabeth is one of the most beautiful examples of the baroque era in Estonia. It was built in 1744-1747 under the supervision of J. H. Güterbock. The church was sanctified in 1750.

The neo-gothic pulpit and altar and the altarpiece ("Resurrection") were added later. The organ of church is among the best ones in Estonia.

Breakwaters