Estonian Maritime Museum to restore Naissaar’s historic military railway, officers’ club and artillery battery
Text and photo Timo Huttunen
The municipality of Viimsi has granted the Estonian Maritime Museum the right to restore the military railway on the island of Naissaar. In the future, the historic railway and related buildings will form the Nargen Nord – visitors center.
According to Nikolai Bentsler, Deputy Mayor of Viimsi, the plan of the Maritime Museum is an ambitious project to restore and preserve Estonian military history. “Thanks to the construction work at Tallinn Airport, the museum has experience in restoring historical sites and transforming the premises into attractive tourist destinations,” Bentsler explained.
The Naissaar railway was part of the St. Petersburg Great Sea Fortress. Later, on the orders of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, an airplane hall was built at water level.
The aim of this project is to restore a site that includes a former officers club and artillery battery in addition to the railway.
“Thanks to the investment in the Maritime Museum, the area can be turned into a modern museum. This saves many buildings important to military history. The refurbished narrow-gauge railway will become not only a rare attraction, but also a daily means of transport for tourists and islanders. This will significantly reduce the use of other vehicles in the nature park area. The Naissaar community wants to support the Maritime Museum in implementing the plan,” confirmed Toomas Luhaäär, Elder of Naissaar Island.
According to the plan, both visitors and locals will once again be able to travel by train between the northern and southern parts of the island.
The railway equipment to be used is environmentally friendly and modern. The historic buildings connected to the railway will be turned into a visitor center as well as an exhibition area showcasing the history of the Naissaar fortress.
“Our goal is also to restore the historical connection between Lennusadam (seaplane harbour) and Naissaar. Before the First World War, the military bases of Lennusadam and Naissaar formed one sea fortress,” said Urmas Dresen, director of the Estonian Maritime Museum.
The building right obtained will allow the museum to prepare a plan for the project, which is expected as early as next summer.
To learn more about this and similar topicsLennusadam Naissaar Naissaar fortress Naissaar Museum Naissaar Narrow-gauge Railway Naissaar railway St. Petersburg Great Sea Fortress Toomas Luhaäär
