Museum of the Coastal Swedes
Museum of the Coastal Swedes
4.5
About
This museum in Haapsalu introduces the thousand-year-old settlements of the coastal Swedes in Estonia. In the house inaugurated by the King of Sweden, you can acquaint yourself with their unique cultural heritage and see a 20-metre embroidered rug that depicts the life of the Estonian-Swedes. There is a scene where Swedish peasant bought Large-Pakri Island from the Padise Monastery for 34 gold marks in 1345. Swedish King Carl Gustaf had great words of praise for the pictorial rug! In addition, other interesting undertakings take place and traditional wedding feasts are held. Good to know: A wooden sailboat – Jaala – was built in the net shed next to the museum, which was modelled on boats from Ruhnu Island.
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4.5
20 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
7
Average
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Poor
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Terrible
0
palawanismyhome
Palawan Island, Philippines22,617 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
This is a small museum but interesting to spend an hour here. I never realised how many Swedes lived along the coastline and islands. There are documentaries to watch while you are there and some old houses outside as well as an annex across the road. Also there is a small walkway over the water where you can see their traditional boats. Well worth the 3 euro entrance fee.
Written 22 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dr B
22 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Most Swedes don’t even know of their countrymen in Estonia and the hardships they suffered. This is for good education on them. It is a lot of reading though. Friendly staff with additional information.
Written 15 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The Curiologist
12 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
If you are curious about Estonia's complex history and want to learn about the Coastal Swedes then this little museum is the place to come.
The main exhibit is the Aibotapet (Aiboland Tapistry): a 20-meter work of art which succinctly and humourously depicts the often dark thousand-year history of the Coastal Swedes
It was made by the Torsdagstanterna (Thursday aunties) who also make gloves, scarves, hats and rag rugs which are sold in the museum shop.
The main exhibit is the Aibotapet (Aiboland Tapistry): a 20-meter work of art which succinctly and humourously depicts the often dark thousand-year history of the Coastal Swedes
It was made by the Torsdagstanterna (Thursday aunties) who also make gloves, scarves, hats and rag rugs which are sold in the museum shop.
Written 16 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
milagros2
Ã¥bo16 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
This museum is very interesting given you are Swedish speaking and/or interested in history. The friendly guide gave a very thorough introduction to the Swedish in Estonia - in Swedish. It was very educative both for me and for my teens. I guess he can do the same in other languages - English, Finnish, Estonian? - too. The museum itself is small and cosy. Beautiful handicraft is on sale, as well as icecream for the kids.
Written 28 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kalle L
Tallinn, Estonia123 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
First of all, I saw an earlier review from two years ago that said no captions were in English. This has been rectified now.
It's a small museum about the history of coastal Swedes in Estonia. An island or region at a time and by specific era. It might be of particular interest to Swedes, but I would recommend it to anyone.
It's a small museum about the history of coastal Swedes in Estonia. An island or region at a time and by specific era. It might be of particular interest to Swedes, but I would recommend it to anyone.
Written 24 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oleg Y
Belgrade, Serbia2,720 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
That's the place we made a trip to, settled on one of the two peninsulas, connected with an isthumus. It appeared rather as one really quaint, but above all, one interesting museum. This museum tells us a story about the thousand - year-old settlements of the coastal Swedes in Estonia.
There are here the relics, the photos, old fishing nets and especially, a marvellous tapestry, depicting the history of Swedes in Estonia from the 1200s to their escape back to Sweden in 1944.
Whole range of products of handicraft can be seen here and it is genuine cultural heritage presented to the visitors, along with different and interesting undertakings that take place within the walls of this museum and also traditional wedding feasts are held as well.
We were very glad of getting one more piece of knowledge about the baltic history.
There are here the relics, the photos, old fishing nets and especially, a marvellous tapestry, depicting the history of Swedes in Estonia from the 1200s to their escape back to Sweden in 1944.
Whole range of products of handicraft can be seen here and it is genuine cultural heritage presented to the visitors, along with different and interesting undertakings that take place within the walls of this museum and also traditional wedding feasts are held as well.
We were very glad of getting one more piece of knowledge about the baltic history.
Written 27 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
genibre69
London, UK3,266 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Very nice woman at the front, but she informed me no captions are in English. A shame bc exhibits look interesting otherwise.
Written 30 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roy N
Espoo, Finland37 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
This is very interesting museum if you are interested in baltic history in general, and specially in Swedish-Estonian settlements. The hotel gives very much details in Swedish-Estonian settlements over a thousand year timespan.
Written 31 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SydneyMaie
Sydney121 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
This museum set by the sea is dedicated to the Swedish community who lived for generations in this coastal part of Estonia. As well as recording the history of settlement and departure, it holds some magnificent handicrafts including a hand stitched banner which extends around 3 walls of a room, depicting the history of the coastal Swedes. Informative, cosy and very well presented.
Written 7 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kaikaljo
Tallinn, Estonia86 contributions
Jun 2015
Cozy little place, looks Swedish. And no wonder because it may come as a surprise to you that 10 000 Swedish speaking people lived here just 70 years ago. If you like to know more, it is definitely worth a visit.
Written 14 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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MUSEUM OF THE COASTAL SWEDES (Haapsalu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of the Coastal Swedes
- Hotels near Museum of the Coastal Swedes:
- (0.23 km) Sailors Accommodation
- (0.29 km) Promenaadi Hotel
- (0.31 km) Villa Marienholm
- (0.36 km) Havly Inn
- (0.45 km) Hestia Hotel Haapsalu Spa
- Restaurants near Museum of the Coastal Swedes:
- (0.23 km) Jahta
- (0.23 km) Veskiviigi Trahter
- (0.28 km) Grand Holm Marina
- (0.31 km) Restaurant of Baltic Hotel Promenaadi
- (0.38 km) Blu Holm Cafe