On a wooded coastal headland in the western part of Tallinn (ca 10 km from the centre), the museum presents a fine collection of 18th and 19th century rural architecture from all over Estonia. Nearly 100 farm buildings, wooden church (17th century), tavern and mills are grouped in a village setting to present an accurate idea of Estonian peasant life as it was. Exhibitions installed in the buildings range from farm architecture to the 1949 deportations.
The Estonian Open Air Museum had as of December 31st, 2001, collections totalling 56 815-museum preservation units. The Open Air Museum owns the largest collection of national architecture in Estonia. Rocca al Mare is the only museum in Estonia with the primary goal of collecting and researching countryside architecture. 72 old village structures have been delivered to the museum and rebuilt on location. Their other collections supplement the national architecture collection and help to demonstrate the genuine country life of the past.
Guests have the possibility to taste home made bread, blood sausages and sour cabbage. Make soap and experience smoke sauna. Lunch, including simple but tasteful delicacies of traditional Estonian cuisine can be arranged in the museum’s authentic, period tavern. Also Estonian folk show can be ordered.