Of the world's 100 oldest protected lighthouses, six are located in Estonia. In the ETV series "Tuled kodusadamas" (Lights in the Home Harbour), you can get to know many of them in more detail. Among them are the militarily important Naissaare, Osmussaare and Pakri lighthouses.

What really happened behind closed doors in Soviet Estonia? 🕵️‍♂️ In the heart of Tallinn stands Hotel Viru – a place where two worlds once collided. Officially opened in 1972 for foreign visitors, the hotel was also home to a secret floor used by the Soviet KGB. Today, you can visit the Hotel Viru KGB Museum, where history unfolds through stories of surveillance, propaganda, and the reality behind the Iron Curtain. It's more than just a museum – it's a window into a time when what you saw was rarely the whole truth. 🎧 Guided tours are available with gripping tales and real artifacts from the era. 📍Viru väljak 4, Tallinn 📆 Advance booking is required 🔗 www.sokoshotels.fi/et/hotellid/tallinn/original-sokos-hotel-viru/hotell-viru-kgb-muuseum 📩 viru.reservation@sok.fi 📞 +372 680 9300 👉 Step into a hidden world – book your visit today! Hotel Viru and KGB museum #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #kgbmuseum

🇱🇻 Piemiņas vieta Latviešu leģiona 2. robežapsardzības pulka karavīriem Iecavas pagastā 📍 Iecavas pagasts, starp mājām “Dietlavas” un “Būčas”, ceļa malā Iecava – Baldone 📖 1998. gadā ar Latvijas Nacionālo karavīru biedrības un “Daugavas vanagi” Iecavas nodaļas atbalstu tika atklāta piemiņas vieta karavīriem, kuri 1944. gada septembrī cīnījās pret padomju karaspēku pie Iecavas. ⚔️ 2. robežapsardzības pulks, pulkvežleitnanta Jāņa Jansona vadībā, četrās dienās tuvcīņās ar tanku "dūrēm" iznīcināja 20 padomju tankus. Varonīgā pretošanās prasīja smagus zaudējumus – krita 28 karavīri, ievainoti vairāk nekā 160. 🕯️ 2023. gadā piemiņas vietā uzstādīts arī informatīvs stends ar plašāku vēsturisko kontekstu. 👉 Uzzini vairāk par šo nozīmīgo vietu un notikumiem: militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/military/sites/view/950?0 Visit Bauska #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

🚂 Lyduvėnai Railway Bridge 🌉 One of the newest military heritage sites in Lithuania, adapted for visitors at the end of 2023, is the Lyduvėnai Railway Bridge. 🏗️✨ This extraordinary structure is truly remarkable – it is the tallest (42 m) 🏔️ and longest (599 m) 🛤️ railway bridge in Lithuania! 🇱🇹 🔹 A bridge through time 🔹 🕰️ The first bridge was built in 1916, while the current one dates back to 1952. 📜 A bit of history: During World War I (1914–1918) ⚔️, Lithuania became a key frontline zone for Germany 🇩🇪. The Germans began constructing railways 🚆 to supply their troops, with the Lauksargiai–Radviliškis railway being the most crucial, linking Prussia with Jelgava. The Lyduvėnai bridge was the most important construction project on the Eastern Front. 💣 A bridge under fire 💥 As a strategic military object, the bridge was repeatedly attacked, bombed, and rebuilt by different ruling regimes throughout both World Wars. 🎟️ Visit today! Today, the Lyduvėnai Railway Bridge is still in use and has been restored for visitors. Now, you can join a guided tour and explore this historic landmark! 🚶‍♂️📷 Advance registration is required. 📍 Learn more about this and other military heritage tourism sites here: 🔗 https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/view/800?7&lang=en #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

❕Reminder❕ 🗓️ Upcoming weekend in Lithuania we will have 7 hiked to commemorate Lithuanian partisans. here is a description about 1 of the hikes. Remembering the partisans of the Žemaičiai (Samogitian) Military District! The Žemaičiai Military District was the last to hold out in the partisan war until 1953. It consisted of the Alkai, Kardas, and Šatrija units. The Žarėnai company operated in the Dievo Krėslas forest from 1946 to 1949. 📜Event Program in Remembrance of the Žemaičiai Military District Partisans: 📍9:00–10:00 AM: Registration of hikers in Žarėnai town. 📍10:00–10:30 AM: Solemn opening of the hike, concert program by the men's folklore group ANDULĒ, "Unity Network" weaving action. 📍10:30 AM–4:30 PM: Foot march around the vicinity of Žarėnai town, performance by the military history club "Baltijos štormas" reenactors, presentation of a temporary exhibition about the partisans. more info about the hike: https://kam.lt/samaningikm/zemaiciu-apygardos-partizanams-atminti/ #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

The Estonian War Museum has compiled a public map database that includes all known Soviet-era war monuments and graves from 1944–1991. The database is based on material compiled by the Soviet Occupation Monuments Mapping Working Group operating at the State Chancellery in 2022 and includes data on 366 Soviet-era war monuments that were or are located on Estonian territory. Each monument entry in the database indicates whether it has been removed or not, and historical information about the monument. Where possible, historical references and articles, links to additional information, and photographs have been included. https://esm.ee/monumendid/ (klick ENG)

🪖 Step into the crossroads of history at Saatse Museum 🪖 Nestled in the remote village of Samarina, just 250 meters from the Estonian-Russian border, Saatse Museum offers a profound exploration of Setomaa's turbulent past. This former schoolhouse, now a museum, delves into the lives of Seto people and the ever-shifting borders that have defined their existence. 🗺️ Exhibitions that resonate: - "Everything Has Its Own Boundaries" – An interactive journey through the geopolitical shifts impacting Setomaa. - Animated film experience – Witness the life of a Seto woman navigating four regimes, reflecting the resilience of a community. 🥾 Borderline trekking: Embark on a unique hiking trail starting at the museum, tracing the Estonian-Russian border. Encounter authentic border posts and warning signs, all amidst serene pine forests. 📍 Plan your visit: Location: Muuseumi, Samarina küla, Setomaa vald, Võru maakond Summer Hours (June–August): Wed–Sun, 11:00–17:00 Contact: +372 505 4673 | saatse@setomuuseum.ee Website: www.setomuuseum.ee/en/saatse-museum Experience the intersection of culture, conflict, and endurance. Saatse Museum isn't just a visit—it's a journey through the heart of military heritage. 🔍Discover more military heritage museums: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/list/MU Saatse Muuseum Visit Setomaa #militaryheritage #heritagetourism

Mossy Kilometers – A Hike to Commemorate the Partisans! 🇱🇹 📍On May 17th, we invite you to join mass hikes dedicated to commemorating the Day of Partisan Remembrance, Army and Society Unity. This year, the hikes will take place in seven Lithuanian municipalities. 👣 "Conscious with Moss" – with this slogan, we invite you for the second year in a row to walk the paths of the freedom fighters. This is a great opportunity not only to honor the partisans but also to feel the spirit of history. Registration and more information: https://kam.lt/samaningikm/ See you on the hike!💚 #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

It’s an interesting historical story about a monument that was erected during World War I as a memorial by the German army. The monument, which apparently depicted a female form, no longer exists today, and the only remnants are small fragments of masonry and some bricks in the area where it once stood. The location of the monument is clearly discernible from a bird's-eye view. The newspaper "Jaunatnes Vadonis" from April 1, 1930, mentions that in the Tomes parish, during the German occupation, a concrete monument was built as a memorial to the "liberation" of Kurzeme. The location you’re referring to is in Ogre Municipality, Latvia, on the left bank of the Daugava River, about 4 km from Ķegums.

The First World War narrow-gauge railway line: Lāčplēsis – Latgaļi (Latvia, Ogre Municipality). A narrow-gauge railway line from the First World War, approximately 22 kilometers in length, once began near the present-day Lāčplēsis Station (on the Jelgava–Krustpils railway line, formerly Bahnhof Kerghof). It encircled Birzgale from the east, crossed the small Ņega River, then veered westward, intersecting today’s Abermaņa Road (which links Ķegums with the Vecumnieki road, P88) twice. From there, it followed the path known as the Kaiser Damm toward the site of the former Courland Monument (Kurland Denkmal), where, according to LIDAR imagery—suggesting a branching into three tracks—the terminus was likely located. The Courland Monument stood 680 meters southeast of the Latgaļi village. The primary purpose of this railway was to supply and support the military front along the left bank of the Daugava River. During the war, German army barracks and warehouses were situated near the Kaiser Damm. On the Daugava’s left bank, near the villages of Puduri (0.6 km) and Podnieki (0.9 km), three reinforced German concrete firing positions were located. Today, the route of the railway can still be traced through LIDAR mapping, and in some sections, its remains are clearly visible in the landscape—especially during seasons when vegetation has not yet taken hold. The ideal time for such an expedition is in early spring or winter, when the ground is bare and free of snow.

🇱🇻 1990. GADA 4. MAIJS 🇱🇻 📣 Latvijas Augstākā padome nobalso par Latvijas Republikas neatkarības atjaunošanu. 📚 ℹ️ Trešā Atmoda, kura aizsākās 1987. gadā, kulminē ar saspringtu balsojumu, kurā Latvijas Tautas fronte pārliecina neatkarīgos deputātus un nobalso par deklarāciju, kas atjauno Latvijas neatkarību un ievieš pārejas periodu. Tiek uzsvērts, ka tiek atjaunota 1918. gadā pasludinātās valsts neatkarība, kuru joprojām gan de iure, gan de facto atzīst lielākā daļa Rietumvalstu. https://militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/history/timeline/ST#event-tl-231

🪖 Explore Estonia’s military heritage at the Värska Visitor Centre (Reek House) 🇪🇪 History comes alive on the peaceful shore of Lake Õrsava, where the restored Art Nouveau summer home of General Nikolai Reek offers visitors a unique look into the area's rich past. Now home to the Värska Visitor Centre, this historic site invites you to dive into the fascinating military heritage of the region. Since opening its doors in 2020, the centre has become a must-visit for anyone interested in Estonia’s path to independence and the defense of its borders. 🔍 Discover: 🪖The Pechory Northern Camp, a key military base near Värska from the 1920s ⚔️Stories from the War of Independence and the figures who shaped it 💧The centre also introduces the long-standing local tradition of using mineral water and therapeutic mud in health resorts. Set against the backdrop of tranquil forests and lake views, the Reek House offers a unique combination of nature and national memory. 📍Plan your visit and explore a lesser-known but important part of Estonian history! Discover more military heritage museums: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/list/MU Photo by Veiko Linnus Värska külastuskeskus - Reegi maja #militaryheritage #heritagetourism

The holiday season is a perfect time to explore the military heritage of the Baltic States! We invite you and your loved ones to walk through historic sites that still carry the spirit of soldiers, stories of resistance, and the enduring quest for freedom. 🚶‍♂️ Choose one of our routes and spend this Easter a little differently – with a touch of history and the fresh breeze of spring! https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/tours Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

🌊 Step into history at the Seaplane Harbour in Tallinn! 🚢✈️ Located right on the waterfront in the charming Kalamaja district, this incredible maritime museum is packed with stories from the past. Housed in a one-of-a-kind seaplane hangar—a true architectural marvel from World War I—it’s a place where history comes alive! Explore over 200 original exhibits, including: 🔹 The legendary submarine Lembit 🔹 The mighty 100-year-old icebreaker Suur Tõll 🔹 A historic seaplane Short 184 🔹 Estonia’s oldest known shipwreck 🔹 Mines, cannons, and so much more! Perfect for both adults and kids, the Seaplane Harbour offers fun, hands-on experiences and exciting temporary exhibitions to keep every visit fresh and fascinating. 🧭 Whether you're a history buff, a curious explorer, or just looking for a great family outing — this is a must-see in Tallinn! 📍 Visit the Seaplane Harbour in Kalamaja and dive into Estonia’s seafaring past! 🔍Discover more military heritage museums here: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/list/MU Eesti Meremuuseum #militaryheritage #heritagetourism

Baltic Way Memory Near Pasvalys 🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪 On August 23, 1989, nearly 2 million people joined hands in a 650 km human chain across Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, demanding freedom from Soviet occupation. This peaceful protest, known as the Baltic Way, remains one of the most powerful symbols of unity and resistance. Near Pasvalys, along the Via Baltica (E67, A10), road signs and a special place — the Valley of Crosses on the Baltic Way — honor this moment. Built by locals with stones and crosses, it has grown into a memorial of hope, history, and solidarity. As of 2024, 14 crosses stand there, remembering both the past and those who stood for freedom. Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Military Heritage project meeting on Hiiumaa! 🇪🇪 We had an amazing couple of days with the MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE project partners on Hiiumaa where we discovered Hiiumaa's military heritage sites and discussed the accessibility improvements of our partners' objects. 🪖 🌐 You can find the new solutions on our webpage soon: militaryheritagetourism.info

🚀 Hidden in the forest near Šeikiškės, just off the Molėtai–Pabradė road, lies a forgotten piece of Cold War history — a Soviet-era anti-aircraft missile base. Part of the 466th brigade, it once defended Vilnius from above. You can still spot the circular launch site layout and old earth mounds, with a few buildings repurposed or left in ruins. A quiet but fascinating relic of the past! 🌲🛰️ More information - https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/view/995?7 Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

We spent two days with our Estonian colleagues on Hiiumaa and Kasari Island to continue working on solutions for accessibility of military heritage sites for school-age youth and people with vision and mobility limitations. We also visited several military heritage sites - Orjaku Harbour, Tohvri (Hindu) 130 mm Coastal Defense Battery No. 44 and the wreck of the ship "Alar". ℹ️ Project EE-LV00094 “Improved Accessibility of the Latvian-Estonian Military Heritage Tourism Product" (MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE) is being implemented with the support of the European Union Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme.

Mūsu kopējā projektā ar Igauņu partneriem, šajā mazā mājiņā ir plānota Eiropā (ja pavisam precīzi - ES teritorijā) mazākā ekspozīcija par šīs vietas vēsturi. Vietu atminēs tikai rūdīti ceļotāji :)

Viens no noslēpumainākajiem un iespaidīgākajiem militārā mantojuma objektiem Latvijā ir Kodolraķešu bāze Zeltiņos. Šī vieta reiz bija slēgta un nepieejama sabiedrībai, bet tagad ikviens var iepazīt tās vēsturi un atmosfēru. Teritorijā saglabājušies dažādi angāri, pazemes bunkuri un raķešu palaišanas laukumi, kas sniedz ieskatu pagātnes notikumos. 2025. gadā reizi mēnesī notiks aizraujošas atvērtās ekskursijas kopā ar gidu, kurā varēsi atklāt šīs vietas stāstus un noslēpumus. Ekskursijas laikā uzzināsi, kā šī bāze darbojās, būs iespēja pabūt Sakarnieku angārā un izmēģināt spēkus slepena ziņojuma atšifrēšanā, kā arī apmeklēt vairākas bumbu patvertnes un noskaidrot, kāda bija militārā sadzīve šajā teritorijā. Plānotie datumi: 5. aprīlis, 2. maijs, 1. jūnijs, 5. jūlijs, 17. augusts, 6. septembris, 5. oktobris un 19. oktobris. Dalības maksa: • Pieaugušajiem – 6,00 EUR • Skolēniem, studentiem un pensionāriem – 5,00 EUR Pieteikšanās un papildus informācija pa tālruni: +371 29492284 (Gunita)

Today 35 years ago, the Supreme Soviet of Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic declared a transition period to lead to the restoration of the Republic of Estonia! 🇪🇪 On the 30th of March 1990, the Supreme Soviet adopted a resolution on the national status of Estonia called "On the Independence of the Estonian State". 📃This was part of an institutionalised fight for the restoration of independence that had begun in the start of 1990 with the elections of Estonian Congress. 🗳 In the same spring, the name Republic of Estonia was restored, the symbols of Estonian SSR were no longer used and it was declared that only Estonian laws would apply in Estonia.👩‍⚖️ 🇪🇪The period culminated with Estonia regaining its independence on the 20th of August 1991. Photo by Martti Volt, Visit Estonia

🔴 Auschwitz concentration camp was the largest Nazi death camp during World War II. Located in Poland, it operated from 1940 to 1945. More than 1.1 million people were imprisoned and murdered there—primarily Jews, but also Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, and others. 🕯️ The Auschwitz complex consisted of several parts: 📍 Auschwitz I – The administrative center 📍 Auschwitz II–Birkenau – The main extermination site with gas chambers 📍 Auschwitz III – A forced labor camp Today, the Auschwitz Memorial / Muzeum Auschwitz serves as a solemn reminder of one of the darkest chapters in human history, honoring the memory of Holocaust victims. 🏛️🙏 Here, in the Baltics, we can use this place as an example in the education. 🎓📖 The museum is committed to preserving historical knowledge and ensuring that future generations understand the past. Through its educational programs, it provides valuable resources for learning and reflection: www.auschwitz.org/en/education/ Visiting historical sites like Auschwitz is one of the most impactful ways to educate younger generations about history. Seeing these places firsthand fosters a deeper understanding, offering an emotional and personal connection that books alone cannot provide. 📚

Viens no padomju varas noziegumiem, kad 1941. gada 14. jūnijā un 1949. gada 25. martā uz Sibīriju tika izsūtīti Latvijas iedzīvotāji, tai skaitā - bērni. Kartē apskatāmas vietas, no kurām cilvēkus izsūtījami, redzami izsūtīto vārdi un vecums. Sagatavojusi "Jāņa sēta", balstoties uz Latvijas Valsts arhīva datiem.

Today we remember the people who were deported from the Baltic states in 1949. 🕯 25th of March is the commemoration day of the March deportation victims. From the 25th to 28th of March 1949, more than 90 000 Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians were deported to Siberia under Operation Priboi (Tidal Wave). This was the biggest Stalin-era mass deportation in the Baltics. 🇪🇪In Estonia, commemoration events take place all over the country. Estonian Institute of Human Rights invites people to participate in the remembrance and wreath-laying ceremony at Estonia's Memorial to Victims of Communism in Maarjamäe at 16:00. 🕯At 18:00, you can light a candle at Tallinn Liberty Square or in your own window at home. By doing this, we show that we cherish freedom, remember the victims of terror and stand together. More information:

At the beginning of March, our project partner Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays had the opportunity to visit the Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory Museum in Krakow, 🇲🇨 Poland. This powerful museum commemorates the Holocaust 🕊️ and honors the incredible efforts of Oskar Schindler, who saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during World War II ✨. 🏭 The factory, originally established in 1937 by three Jewish entrepreneurs, was later seized by Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist and member of the Nazi Party, after the German invasion of Poland in 1939 ⚔️. Over time, Schindler recognized his moral duty to help the Jewish population. He began manufacturing ammunition shells, ensuring the factory was classified as vital to the war effort, which allowed the Jewish workers to remain employed and safe from concentration camps 🚫. 📅 Opened in 2010, the museum now stands as one of the most visited attractions in Krakow. It also offers 🧑‍🏫 educational programs for children, helping them understand the 📖 history of Krakow during World War II, the impact of Nazi occupation, and the remarkable legacy of Oskar Schindler 🌍. Used sources: ℹ️ www.schindlers-factory-tickets.com ℹ️ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Schindler%27s_Enamel_Factory #militaryheritage #tourism