Estonian Road Museum
Museo de la Carretera de Estonia
Estonian Road Museum (Varbuse, Kanepi vald, Põlva mk, Põlva) – located 2 ½ hours (230 km) southeast of Tallinn, this museum was created in the late 1990s. It is the center of history of Estonian roads, with the view of mediating its scientific, educational and entertaining points to the public. When choosing the location, the Varbuse postal station with its dignified and long history, located on the Tartu-Võru postal road, was found to be suitable due to several reasons. The Varbuse postal station, established in 1863, was active until the stage-coach postal services vanished completely in Estonia during 1920s and 1930s. In 1935 it was given to the disposal of the Varbuse road master. Until 1997, the centre of the road master’s area was located in the buildings of the postal station.
Since this is an “open air museum”, certain sections depict aspects of Estonia’s past – from 19th century inns, to Stalin-era rest areas, Saurer buses from the 1940s, gas stations from the 1960s, and even a miniature “traffic town” (which lets adult and child visitors drive in and out of there in electric cars). Admission: €4 (adult), €2 (students/children), €8 (family) (May – September); €2 (adult), €1 (students/children), €4 (family) (October – April). Hours: 11 am – 3 pm (Tuesday – Saturday / October – April); 10 am – 8 pm (Tuesday – Sunday / June – August); 11 am – 6 pm (Tuesday – Sunday / May and September).