What are the opening hours of Narva Castle?

Summer season (11 May – 30 August): daily 10:00–18:00. Autumn–winter season (September – 10 May): Wednesday–Saturday 10:00–18:00, Sunday 10:00–16:00, closed Monday and Tuesday. The ticket office closes 1 hour before closing time. Closed on 1 January and 31 December.

How much does a ticket to Narva Castle cost?

Castle: adult — €16, concession — €10, family (2+2) — €32. Children under 8 — free. Combined ticket "Castle + Gallery": €18 / €12 concession.

How do I get to Narva Castle?

Narva Castle is located at Peetri plats 7, Narva 20308, Estonia. From Tallinn: bus (approx. 2.5 hours) or train to Narva station (approx. 2.5 hours). Parking is available near the castle.

Can I book a tour of the casemates?

Yes, guided tours of the underground casemates of Bastion Victoria are available. Bookings can be made by phone +372 359 9230 or on the official website narvamuuseum.ee.

Narva Castle

Eight centuries on the border of civilisations

Explore the history

From the 13th century to the present

Castle History

Narva Castle traces its history to the 13th century, when Danish governors built a stone kastell-type fortress on the right bank of the river. The Livonian Order transformed it into a four-winged conventual house — one of the most completely preserved in Northern Europe. Over eight centuries the castle was held by Danes, the Livonian Order, the Russian Tsardom, Sweden and the Russian Empire. In 2020 the renovated castle reopened after a major restoration funded by the EU.

1172–1240

First Mentions

In 1172 the Novgorod Chronicle first mentions "Narva" as a trading place. The Liber Census Daniae (1240) describes Narva as "a small village belonging to the Danish king."

~ 1277

Danish Kastell

The Danish governor Eilard von Oberg bears the title "captain of Estonia, Reval and Narva" — by this time a stone kastell with rectangular walls stands on the right bank of the river. The original wooden fort on the right bank had already been destroyed by the Novgorodians.

1341–1345

The Western Court and Lübeck Law

After the city is burned by the Novgorodians a large Western Court is built on the west side of the castle. The 1345 charter of King Valdemar IV grants Narva the rights of Lübeck — "the easternmost city with Lübeck city law" in all of Europe.

1346–1347

Livonian Order

Valdemar IV sells all of Estonia to the Livonian Order for 19,000 Cologne silver marks. The knights immediately begin reconstruction: the west wing with the knights' refectory is built directly after the transfer.

14th–16th c.

The Conventual House and Hermann Tower

All four wings of the conventual house are built in stages: the west wing, north wing (mid-15th c.), east wing (second half of the 15th c.) and south wing (early 16th c.). Hermann Tower rises to 51 metres (c. 65 m with the flagpole); wall thickness reaches 4.7 m.

1492

Ivangorod Across the River

Grand Prince Ivan III orders Ivangorod fortress to be built directly opposite Narva Castle, on the left bank of the river. From this moment the two castles, standing only a few dozen metres apart across the water, become the living symbol of the border between Western and Eastern civilisations.

1558–1581

Livonian War — Narva Trade

The forces of Ivan IV storm Narva: "they crossed the river, broke a hole in the city wall and entered through it" (Renner's Chronicle). About 230 guns are captured. Under Russian rule Narva experiences a brief economic boom — the so-called "Narva sailing" draws English, Dutch and German merchants eager for direct trade with Russia.

1581

Swedish Assault — Pontus de la Gardie

In September Swedish field marshal Pontus de la Gardie storms Narva with an army of 18,000 men after a two-week siege. The victory ends the Livonian War and Russian access to the Baltic coast. Narva becomes part of Swedish Livonia.

1617

Treaty of Stolbovo — Bastion Construction

The Treaty of Stolbovo cements Swedish dominance over the entire eastern Baltic coast, cutting Russia off from the sea for 86 years. The Swedish crown soon begins construction of a bastion fortification system around the castle and city — the future Star Fort.

1638–1703

Swedish Golden Age

Narva becomes one of the largest trading ports on the Baltic Sea and the second most important city in Sweden's Baltic territories. In 1638 a rectangular arsenal complex is built in the Western Court. By the 1660s the population reaches 3,000; Narva mints its own coins and trades actively across Europe.

30 November 1700

Battle of Narva

At the outset of the Great Northern War, Charles XII's army crushes Peter I's 40,000-strong force before the walls of Narva. The Russians lose nearly all their artillery — about 145 guns. The defeat compels Peter to radically reform his army and accelerate the creation of a regular navy.

1704

Peter I Takes Narva

On 9 August, after a 45-day siege with roughly 45,000 men against a garrison of 5,100, Peter I's forces storm Narva. Peter personally halted the massacre that had begun. Narva enters the Russian Empire and remains part of it for the next 214 years.

1721

Treaty of Nystad

The Treaty of Nystad officially ends the Great Northern War. Sweden acknowledges Russian sovereignty over Estonia, Livonia and other Baltic territories. Narva and the castle are permanently confirmed as Russian; Peter I assumes the title "Emperor of All Russia."

1845–1847

Nicholas I Decree — First Restoration

Nicholas I allocates 5,000 roubles annually to maintain the fortifications "in their original form". Military engineer Rezvoy carries out the first scientific study and draws up a restoration plan approved by the Emperor in 1847.

1864–1865

The First Museum — House of Peter I

The Narva Archaeological Society, founded by members of the Great Guild, assembles the first collection of historical artefacts. In 1865 Alexander II transfers the House of Peter I — a small wooden building on the castle grounds where the tsar stayed during the 1704 siege — to the Society, where the first public museum opens.

1913

Lavretsov City Museum

Merchant Zakhariy Lavretsov bequeaths his collection of paintings, coins and antiquities to the city, along with 70,000 roubles for a new building. The city museum opened in 1913 in Narva Castle itself, making the historical collections accessible to a much wider public.

1917–1919

War of Independence — Fighting at the Castle

After Estonia declares independence, Bolshevik forces seize Narva in November 1918. On 28 January 1919 Estonian units, supported by the British Navy, liberate the city. The castle and Hermann Tower change hands several times during the fierce fighting.

2 February 1920

Treaty of Tartu

The Treaty of Tartu ends the War of Independence: Soviet Russia recognises Estonian sovereignty. The castle is handed over to the Estonian Armed Forces as a military garrison — most of its buildings are closed to the general public.

1933

Museum Merger

The Lavretsov City Museum and several other Narva collections are merged into the unified Narva City Museum. Individual halls in the castle gradually reopen for organised tours.

1940

Soviet Occupation

In June 1940 the USSR occupies Estonia. Narva Castle is nationalised: museum collections are transferred to Soviet authorities. Less than a year later, in September 1941, German forces seize Narva.

1944

World War II

Fighting along the Narva Front (February–July) destroys approximately 200 buildings in the historic city centre. Hermann Tower and all wings of the conventual house are left in ruins. The museum collection, evacuated by train, is destroyed in an air strike near Rakvere.

1950–1986

Post-War Reconstruction

On 22 July 1950 the first post-war exhibition opens in a garrison bathhouse. Restoration proceeds in stages: in December 1986 Hermann Tower and the west and south wings open with a permanent exhibition on the history of Narva.

1991

Independence Restored

On 20 August Estonia restores its state independence. Narva Castle comes under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Estonia. The blue-black-white Estonian flag is raised once again over Hermann Tower.

2018–2020

Restoration and New Exhibition

The "Creation of a Border Fortresses Visitor Centre" project receives €3.54 million from the European Regional Development Fund. Restoration is completed in 2020: the renovated conventual house reopens with a new permanent exhibition.

Observation platform at 51 metres

Hermann Tower

Tower Facts

Height	51 m (c. 65 m with flagpole)
Wall thickness	up to 4.7 m at the base
Construction period	14th–16th c., restoration 1950–1986
Tower access	included in castle ticket

Hermann Tower (Est. Pikk Hermann — "Tall Hermann") is the principal vertical landmark of Narva Castle and the entire Narva riverbank. Construction began in the 14th century under the Livonian Order: the lower storeys were built first, then the upper sections, and by the early 16th century the tower had reached its present form. It stands 51 metres tall — approximately 65 metres with the flagpole. The wall thickness at the base reaches 4.7 metres, making the tower virtually impervious to medieval artillery. The tower survived the Livonian War, Swedish and Russian rule, the destruction of World War II and the extensive post-war restoration of 1950–1986. From the observation platform you can see two countries simultaneously from a height of 51 metres: Estonian Narva and Russian Ivangorod, separated by a river roughly 130 metres wide. Access to the tower is included in the standard castle ticket.

Bastion fortifications of the 17th–18th centuries

The Star Fort

To the west of the medieval castle spreads a system of bastion fortifications built in the 17th–18th centuries. Its shape resembles a five-pointed star — hence the popular name "Star Fort". It is one of the best-preserved examples of bastion fortification in Northern Europe.

Construction of the fortifications began under the Swedes in the 1640s to the design of military engineers applying the most modern principles of fortification of the time. The system comprised four full bastions, the curtain walls between them, a moat, an escarp and a counterscarp. Each bastion provided flanking fire along the adjacent walls, eliminating the "dead zones" typical of medieval towers.

After Narva passed to Russia in 1704 Peter I ordered construction to continue and be strengthened. By the mid-18th century the fort had taken its final form. Its earthen ramparts reach 8 metres in height; the moat is up to 25 metres wide. In the age of sailing warships and smoothbore artillery this was a formidable fortification.

Today the ramparts and the partially preserved counterscarp galleries are open for walks. From here there are splendid views of Hermann Tower, the Narva River and Ivangorod on the opposite bank.

Fort Facts

Construction period	1640s — mid-18th century
Number of bastions	4 main bastions + curtain walls
Rampart height	up to 8 metres
Moat width	up to 25 metres

Underground — eight centuries of secrets

Casemates and Underground Tunnels

Beneath Narva Castle and its bastion fortifications lies a branching network of underground structures built over several centuries. The casemates (vaulted chambers inside the castle walls and ramparts) and the tunnels connecting them served many purposes — from storing gunpowder and provisions to sheltering the garrison during bombardments.

The casemates in the castle walls date from the 14th–16th centuries. They are low-vaulted chambers with thick stone walls, practically impervious to the artillery of the day. Weapons, ammunition and foodstuffs were stored here. During sieges the casemates sheltered the wounded and non-combatants.

The bastion-fort casemates date from the 17th–18th centuries. Brick galleries with semi-circular vaulted ceilings run beneath the earthen ramparts. These spaces were used as flanking gun positions (caponiers and demi-caponiers) and for billeting troops.

The underground tunnels of Narva are a topic that invariably fascinates historians and local history enthusiasts. The existence of several underground passages connecting the castle with the city is documentarily confirmed, allowing troops and supplies to be moved without the enemy's knowledge. Some tunnels were deliberately filled in or bricked up during the 19th–20th centuries for safety reasons. The search for and study of hidden underground structures continues to this day.

Part of the casemates is currently open to visitors — themed tours are conducted here with period reconstructions and period lighting (torches, candles).

Underground Legends

According to local legend one of the underground passages led from Narva Castle directly under the river to Ivangorod. No documentary evidence of its existence has been found, but geophysical surveys carried out in the 2000s revealed soil anomalies near the river bank. The legend lives on.

Victoria Bastion Casemates

Underground galleries from the late 17th century — the flagship visitor attraction of Narva's fortification system. The tour reveals the bastion's role in the city's defence, historical events, the fortress's treasures and its mysterious inhabitants.

Schedule

Saturday
Russian	11:00
Estonian	14:00
English	16:00

Ticket €10 / person (group of 10+)

Groups of 10+ — at a convenient time by advance booking:

+372 586 69 080 bastion@narva.ee

bastion.visitnarva.ee

Narva Museum Art Gallery, Bastion Gloria

Art Gallery at Bastion Gloria

A 1777 historic provisions and arms warehouse — one of the few buildings of old Narva to survive World War II. The permanent exhibition "Life or Karma? Stories of Narva" presents around 200 works from the Baroque era to the present day.

Opening hours

Wednesday	10:00–19:00
Thu–Sat	10:00–18:00
Sunday	10:00–16:00
Mon–Tue	Closed

Address Vestervalli 21, Narva

More information and tickets:

+372 359 1079 info@narvamuuseum.ee

narvamuuseum.ee

Narva Museum in the Castle

The Museum Today

Narva Museum is the main historical museum of eastern Estonia. Permanent and temporary exhibitions tell the story of the castle, the city and the region from the 13th century to the present day.