Visits with children
There is a lot for curious children to discover in all three buildings of the university’s museum: the University of Tartu Museum in the cathedral; the Old Observatory; and the University of Tartu Art Museum in the main building.
The University of Tartu Museum
Every exhibition hall has something for our youngest visitors. There are lots of exciting things to do in the Crazy Scientist’s Lab, Parrot’s Physics Lab and in the cathedral’s Chamber of Mysteries. At the permanent exhibition, children can try looking for the mystical seventh Book of Moses.
Opening hours and ticket pricesThe Crazy Scientist is the coolest character living and working in the museum. Since childhood, he has been trying to find answers to all kinds of questions. He travels the world, explores different countries and cultures, and conducts fun experiments. At school he was already known as the Crazy Scientist. The Crazy Scientist’s Lab in the museum has exciting mechanical toys for children to play with. Here, children can have their first look into the world of science. You can meet the Crazy Scientist during the Saturday Morning Science Experiments.
The museum is located in the oldest building of Tartu, the 800-year-old Tartu Cathedral. Over time, secrets and unanswered questions have accumulated. These stories and legends have been gathered in the cathedral’s Chamber of Mysteries. There you can watch an animation of how the church was constructed and build the medieval walls of Tartu yourself.
For children, the exhibition “The University of Our Lives” has a secret library, and it’s also where the seventh Book of Moses is hidden away.
At the exhibition, children have their own secret library inside a closet, where they can make themselves comfortable. The secret library is full of children’s books from different eras, where young visitors can lie down on the pillows and read. For those who can’t read yet, there are alphabet boxes to play with. Learn the alphabet and assemble your favourite words.
The exhibition is on the fifth floor, directly opposite the Crazy Scientist’s Lab, and is also accessible by elevator.
Toome park, which surrounds the museum, offers endless opportunities for running, hide-and-seek games or for a leisurely stroll. On summer evenings you might hear an owl hooting and see bats flying around. There is a playground near the museum.
The Old Observatory
The observatory will have something to interest both young and old astronomy enthusiasts.
Opening hours and ticket pricesThere are many hands-on exhibits in the Western Hall and basement of the observatory: try lifting a real iron meteorite, count meteors or put together a big puzzle!
The observatory hosts family days and observation nights. See all events at the University of Tartu Museum here.
Along with a visit, you can book a planetarium show in the observatory’s cone-shaped planetarium. Instead of modern digital projectors, we have special old apparatus that displays the stars on the ceiling by optical means. The shows are run by the curators of the museum’s educational programmes.
Additional information and booking: tahetorn@ut.ee
The University of Tartu Art Museum
The University of Tartu Art Museum welcomes visitors of all ages! The museum’s permanent exhibition has many beautiful statues that remind us of the tales of ancient Greece and Rome.
Opening hours and ticket pricesThe most exciting place is the Mummy Chamber, which has real ancient Egyptian mummies.
In the attic of the university’s main building is a place where misbehaving students used to be detained in order to reflect on their misdeeds. It is known as the lock-up. Go and see how uncomfortable it was for the unfortunate students held there!
