We know Estonia
8.5.2023 | History

The rich history of Venice is alive in Tallinn’s Seaplane Harbour Museum

Text Timo Huttunen
Photo Aron Urb

The rich history of Venice is alive in Tallinn’s Seaplane Harbour Museum

 

A new exhibition entitled “Venezia, Queen of the Seas” has opened at the Seaplane Harbour Museum (Meremuuseum) in Tallinn. The exhibition features art and objects from the time of the Venetian maritime empire, when the republic ruled the Adriatic Sea and was an important trading post in the Mediterranean Sea.

In the exhibition, you will learn about its republican administrative system, army, the Venetian upper class, as well as the common people and their customs. The military and economic power of the city-state flourished from the 1200s to 1600s.

The exhibition gives a thorough picture of the rise of the Republic of Venice, its golden age and subsequent decline, but also the challenges facing the city today, i.e. the struggle of rising sea levels and the disadvantages of mass tourism.

Works of art, historical finds and interactive objects tell the history of the city-state that once became a Mediterranean power and its powerful figures.

The exhibition begins with a presentation of the city’s unique geographical position and historical structures.

Venice was an important trading city. Its central location, sea routes, goods flows and technical solutions gave the republic good tools to control the connections between the Mediterranean Sea and the Silk Road.

Special attention in the exhibition is directed to the core of Venice’s maritime power, its shipyards. At its best, the world’s first modern shipyard could launch one warship a day.

The last part of the exhibition tells about Venice as a cultural centre and the city’s struggle against the constant rise of the sea level, which threatens to submerge this beautiful city in the near future.

The exhibition is complemented by a section about the connections between Tallinn and Venice. The development of relations between the two cities began at the beginning of the last century, when Estonian cultural figures often visited the city. The presentation ends with the world-famous Venice Biennale, in which Estonian artists have also participated.

The “Venezia, Queen of the Seas” exhibition is open until January 7, 2024.

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Exhibition Maritime Meremuuseum Seaplane Harbour Venezia Venice

28.2.2024 | History

Explore Tallinn’s cultural treasures for free on Museum Sunday

Explore Tallinn’s cultural treasures for free on Museum Sunday

On the first Sunday of every month, you can discover the rich cultural heritage of Tallinn for free as … Read more

14.1.2024 | History

A museum that shares the story of soviet resistance in Tartu

A museum that shares the story of soviet resistance in Tartu

As an outsider, walking past the unassuming and normal-looking 30s apartment building at Riga 15 (halfway between the city … Read more

14.12.2023 | Culture

An art museum full of unique treasures

An art museum full of unique treasures

The art gallery of the Narva Museum is located in the Gloria bastion, which was built in 1777. It … Read more

14.11.2023 | History

Have you ever wanted to spend a night at a museum?

Have you ever wanted to spend a night at a museum?

Have you ever spent a night in a museum? This week it’s possible. The Seaplane Harbour museum (Lennusadam) in … Read more

24.10.2023 | History

Explore 50 years of Estonian handbag design 

Explore 50 years of Estonian handbag design 

A new exhibition, which tells the story of Estonian handbag design in the first half of the 20th century, … Read more

29.8.2023 | History

Free Museum Sunday this weekend

Free Museum Sunday this weekend

On the first Sunday of every month in Tallinn, you can enjoy the collections and exhibitions of the city’s … Read more

18.6.2023 | Culture

A wonderful view of Tallinn awaits from the top of the tower of Niguliste Museum

A wonderful view of Tallinn awaits from the top of the tower of Niguliste Museum

After almost a year of renovation, the Niguliste Museum in Tallinn’s old town has reopened. The elevator and viewing … Read more

14.6.2023 | History

The Singing Revolution

The Singing Revolution

On a summer night in 1988, 100,000 people, or about ten percent of the population of Soviet Estonia, gathered … Read more