Hotel Viru and KGB Museum
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.
TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews
tripadvisor rating 4.0 of 5
based on 1263 reviews
Outstanding tour guide
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5The tour guide was amazing, he was so knowledgeable and engaging, it was fascinating. There were two rooms on the tour, but the history and the stories from the guide were the highlight, I could’ve... Read more comments
More than a museum
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5The guide of the museum gave an excellent overview of the museum life during the Soviet era. The personal stories of hers plus those who worked at the hotel were extremely interesting. While it seems... Read more comments
Highly recommended!
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5I really enjoyed the tour given by the knowledgeable and witty guide, Pasha. The museum is quite small, but its history is fascinating - if you're interested in history! Most people in the group were... Read more comments
