As a former Royal Marines officer, I was quite excited about vising the Estonian Maritime Museum (aka ‘Fat Margaret’ or ‘Paksmargareeta’ in Estonian) as it really offers a fascinating journey through maritime trade, agencies, and navigation, spanning from the Middle Ages to the era of sailing, steam, and motor ships in Tallinn’s old town.

Recognised for its outstanding cultural significance (and it’s epic appearance), this building complex has earned a well-deserved spot on UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List. At around 1,000 m² of space, you will get a very comprehensive overview of the Estonia’s history of maritime exploration!

One of the most impactful displays for me was the Koge wreck. Discovered in Kadriorg in 2015, the shipwreck is around 700 years old, providing an interesting glimpse into Estonia’s seafaring past.

With over 700 artefacts, 50 interactive displays and 17 intricate boat models, the museum really is worth spending a few hours in if you’re interested in maritime exploration!

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