There once was a hotel that came to be named the Viru.
The year was 1972, and there were still two decades or so until the fall of Communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Any hotel that was appropriate for foreign visitors also had to be appropriate for the KGB...
This museum tells the story of more than just one hotel and the KGB: it is a treasure trove of stories of two different worlds - one which existed mostly on paper, of happy Soviet citizens living in friendship and never wanting for anything, led by a wise, all-powerful group of men in a place where there were never any accidents or catastrophes; and the other real world, which was a very different and a much tougher place to live in.
Please book in advance to visit the museum.
based on 1291 reviews
Wow! What a fantastic experience coming here to see how far the KGB went to control the scenario. This KGB museum was an eye opener. The westerners had "special" rooms set aside for them while the... Read more comments
Our tour guide Mart was excellent. He described life in Tallinn in the early 70’s and shared the secrets contained within the walls of the hotel. Quite interesting. The remnants from the KGB period... Read more comments
This was an excellent tour - our guide was knowledgeable and engaging. The history of the hotel, Tallinn, Estonia and the wider region were covered brilliantly. Would fully recommend for anyone... Read more comments