Tartu - peace and KGB terror!
On this tour of Vaksali and the city centre, we'll explore several landmark places in this historical area. One of the most notorious is the building known as the "gray house", which housed the former NKVD pre-trial detention centre. We'll recount the memories and horrors of former Forest Brothers and other political prisoners, as well as the interrogation methods used by the NKVD in this building, where the main result was "25 + 5" (a sentence of 25 years in a labor camp plus 5 years in exile). Since Tartu was the cradle of our national awakening, we'll also take a quick journey back to that period and see where a modern-day Khrushchev-era apartment building now stands on the site of Koidula and Jannsen's home. By the way, Nikita Khrushchev also personally visited Tartu, and there are some funny stories about that - we'll hear them on the tour. We'll talk about student organisations, the Vanemuine Theater, and the building on the same street where the most important document in Estonian history was signed - the Treaty of Tartu. We will discuss the events of that time, the victory of our War of Independence, and the background behind it.
Public tours
15+ available
Language: Estonian
Tour guide: Mathias
Clients speak
"Thank you for the excursion! Our guests and we really enjoyed it! Guide Tom is simply amazing!"
Gerli Jesaar / Eesti Kinnisvara Hindajate Ühing
24.09.2025
"I’m one of those who has always dreamed of a truly remarkable birthday. Not the usual sit-around-the-table kind, but one that offers genuinely memorable experiences. Ideally something unexpected and exciting, so that even years later everyone would fondly remember, “Wow, that was amazing!” I soon realized that Matkafy Laternamatkad ticks every box on my wish list. Even though there are 55 different tours on the adventure list, I never hesitated to take my friends to the abandoned Murru prison, exploring the buildings and area where the saying truly fits: “If these walls could talk…” How often in life do you get the chance to walk among apocalyptic walls and experience the real stories hidden inside? When this long-awaited day finally arrived, I couldn’t hide my excitement and thrill. Everything was perfectly planned. Our guide Mihkel Reile received nothing but praise from the guests: “So humorous!”, “So knowledgeable!”, “Easily captures everyone’s attention”, “Where did they find such a charming guy?”, “Wow, how clearly and engagingly he tells stories!” In addition, for this tour that exceeded all expectations, a romantic birthday table was set up in a quiet wooded corner, tailored exactly to my wishes. This was the best birthday of my life! Honestly. A unique and adventurous tour, perfectly suited for any celebration and season."
Liis Lusmägi
15.07.2024
"Big thanks from the whole team for the great organization and the fantastic guide! Everyone was very satisfied and will definitely spread the good word! 😊"
Pille-Riin Hütt / Restoran Kaspervik
11.11.2024
Book as private tour
You can book this tour only for your group if you wish
The price of a private tour designed specifically for your group of 1–30 people is €600 + VAT.
For groups of 31–60 people, the price is €20 + VAT per person.
For groups of 61–240 people, we will prepare a personalized offer.
