The museum is located on Toome Hill, which has also been poetically described as an abode of the muses. Here the museum occupies several historical university buildings dating from the 19th century - the former university library built in the choir of the ruins of a former dome cathedral, the Old Observatory and part of the Old Anatomical Theatre (closed until the end of 2012).
The museum offers the public a permanent exhibition and numerous special exhibitions. From spring to autumn, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the city from the viewing platforms situated on the top of the preserved bases of the cathedral’s towers. The museum also holds classes for school students, helping them acquire new knowledge through hands-on experience. The museum’s collection, which is one of a kind in Estonia, is available to scholars and researchers. The museum’s White Hall is one of the most prestigious event venues in Tartu.
The University of Tartu History Museum is part of a larger university institution - Museums of the University of Tartu, which also includes the university’s Art Museum and Natural History Museum. All three cooperate closely with one another.
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