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In Tallinn’s Old Town lies Estonia’s largest private collection of icons. It is a place where Orthodox sacred art is studied, collected, and presented. The museum was founded by Gunnar Savisaar.

ABOut the Collection

The museum’s collection includes over a thousand icons and represents all major centers of Old Believer icon painting
Christ the Almighty. Vyg, first half of 19th c. The Crucifixion with Mourners. Stranniky, 19th c. Christ Emmanuel. Moscow, Preobrazhensky monastery workshops, 19th c. Sophia, the Divine Wisdom. Mstera, first half of 19th c. St Nicholas the Wonderworker. Vetka – Starodubye, 18th c. Feodorovskaya icon of Mother of God. Estonia, Raya village, Gavriil Frolov's workshop, early 20th c. Archangel Michael, the Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Forces. Vyg, first half of 19th c. Christ in Glory. Lithuania, Ivan Mikhailov, first half of 20th c. Christ on Throne with Prayers („King of Kings”). Vetka – Starodubye, first half of 19th c. Saints Cyricus and Julitta with Scenes from Their Lives. Moscow (?), early 18th c.

VISIT

The museum is set to open on demand.

Admission – 17 €

Get the whole story! You can also reserve a private guided tour. The capacity of the museum is 25 people. Price for the guided tour is 280 €, including admission for the group of 25 or less.

Tours in Estonian, Russian, English, and Finnish are conducted by artist, restorer, and researcher of Russian icons Orest Kormashov.

In addition to the introductory tour, thematic guided walks on the following topics can be arranged:

  • Icons of the Mother of God: The Life of Mary and Miracles on Icons
  • Symbolism of Christ’s Depiction
  • Saint Nicholas
  • Prophet Elijah and His Depiction on Icons
  • John the Forerunner and His Depiction on Icons
  • Colors on Icons
  • Divine Geometry: The Structure of Sacred Space in Orthodoxy
  • The Evangelists and Their Symbols
  • Christmas Tour
  • Holy Week and the Resurrection
  • The Dormition of the Mother of God
  • Who is the "Holy Fool"?
  • Lent – The Spring of the Soul!
  • Icon "The Last Judgment"
  • The Concept of Death in Icons

Upcoming tours (in Estonian) and tickets

books

Icons of Old Believers from the Lake Peipus Region

Icons of Old Believers from the Lake Peipus Region

Author: Yury Manuylov, 2013

454 pages, weight: 2.4 kg, the book is in Russian

This monograph explores the work of the renowned Old Believer icon painter Gavriil Frolov, as well as the output of his workshop, students, and followers. The book features 626 Old Believer icons from the Lake Peipus region, originating from private collections in Estonia and abroad, as well as from Old Believer churches.

Price: 50 euros
The Museum of Russian Icons. Guide

The Museum of Russian Icons. Guide

Author: Yury Manuylov, 2016

64 pages, separate editions in Russian and English

This guide provides a brief overview of the Museum of Russian Icons’ collection. The book includes numerous small illustrations and explanatory texts.

Price: 10 euros
Russian Icons from Gunnar Savisaar's collection

Russian Icons from Gunnar Savisaar's collection

Author: Yury Manuylov, 2009

213 pages, weighs 1.6 kg, the book is in Estonian, Russian, and English

The catalog describes the first two hundred icons of the collection. Today, the collection has grown more than fivefold.

Price: 40 euros
Samovars. Collection of Gunnar Savisaar

Samovars. Collection of Gunnar Savisaar

Photographer: Georg Savisaar, 2022

204 pages, the book is in Russian and English

In 2016, ten samovars were purchased for the Museum of Russian Icons as part of an interior design project. This modest beginning grew into a serious collection that now includes several hundred applied art objects. This book presents 128 of the finest pieces. The main highlight of this book is the large, high-quality photographs of the samovars.

Price: 70 euros

contact

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+372 641 0057, info@ikoonimuuseum.ee, Vene 6, Tallinn