ESTONIA - Rummu Soviet Prison, Kohtla Mining Park, The World’s Smallest Traffic City & Energy Discovery Centre

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TRIP PROGRAMME

7:30 Departure from Riga, from Origo Shopping Centre (Satekles Street).

RUMMU – FORMER SOVIET PRISON

Rummu Quarry is one of Estonia’s most attractive diving destinations. How did it become such a popular spot for divers?

Historical records indicate that a Soviet prison, known at the time as Murru Prison, was established here in 1938. Next to the prison was a limestone quarry where prisoners were employed. For many years, Rummu Quarry was a site for extracting Vasalemma marble, a type of limestone, with prisoners from Murru Prison serving as the main workforce.

After Estonia regained independence in 1991, mining operations were stopped. Once the water pumps were switched off, the quarry quickly flooded, and the former prison is now submerged underwater.

According to legend, the water level rose so quickly that a large mining excavator and other equipment were left underwater. Along with the submerged buildings and machinery, the exceptionally clear water has created a unique underwater landscape and a paradise for swimmers and divers.

KOHTLA MINING PARK – ONE OF THE BALTICS’ MOST UNUSUAL MUSEUMS

The underground museum is the most fascinating attraction at Kohtla Mining Park in northeastern Estonia. It consists of approximately one kilometre of former mining tunnels.

During the tour, every visitor becomes a miner: you put on a helmet, attach a miner’s lamp to your belt, and descend eight metres underground into the former mine tunnels. Following in the footsteps of real miners, you get a glimpse into their working lives in damp, dark, and challenging conditions.

The park was established in a former oil shale mine, making the experience even more impressive and providing an insight into the industrial past and future.

During the underground tour, visitors explore various mining workplaces, including an explosives storage facility, ride an authentic underground mining train, and learn about underground machinery and mining technologies.

It is also possible to order a traditional miner’s lunch and enjoy it in the underground miners’ canteen.

The Kohtla mine was closed in 2001. However, recognizing the importance of preserving the past, Estonia later reopened this underground world to visitors. Since 2012, the park has continued to expand and now offers a wide range of attractions and experiences.

THE WORLD’S SMALLEST TRAFFIC CITY

This unique indoor traffic city is the perfect place to learn about road safety. Traffic lights operate and city lights illuminate the miniature urban environment, allowing visitors to learn and practise traffic rules in a safe setting.

The traffic city welcomes both children and adults, offering a fun way to learn road safety, practise responsible driving, and spend time together as a family.

Everything is designed just like a real city — streets, intersections, pedestrian crossings, road signs, trees, lawns, flower beds, and even functioning traffic lights.

Adults can drive larger electric cars, while children can use smaller vehicles. The 1,200 m² traffic city is decorated with New York-inspired city scenes and includes a petrol station where you can “refuel” your vehicle.

The city also features a police station, holding cell, café, and SkyPlus disco, equipped with various funhouse mirrors, as well as a drive-in cinema. The cinema’s first row is designed in the style of an American drive-in, allowing visitors to watch a film from their car.

Good to know: Car rides are available for an additional fee.

ENERGY DISCOVERY CENTRE

A century-old power station offers numerous opportunities for discovery and learning.

Around 130 interactive, hands-on exhibits introduce visitors to the history of energy, the discovery of electricity, lightning, renewable energy sources, nuclear energy, voice and sound, and optics.

Here, you can witness a unique lightning demonstration, explore space in a virtual planetarium with a 10-metre diameter, and learn about science through theatre workshops and educational programmes.

Included in the Price:

Travel by a modern tourist-class coach
Guide/group leader services (in Latvian and Russian)

Additional Costs (Optional):

Kohtla Mining Park and Museum visit
Energy Discovery Centre visit
Visit to the World’s Smallest Traffic City
Personal expenses

Please note: Prices for additional activities may change.

Baltic DMC Group reserves the right to change the attractions visited, the order of excursions, and the schedule during the trip, provided that the overall scope of the trip remains unchanged.