☢️ Paldiski Nuclear Reactor – a hidden Cold War legacy ⚓ A secret Soviet Navy facility Paldiski Nuclear Reactor was a secret Soviet Navy training facility where submarine crews learned to operate nuclear reactors under realistic conditions. Located in a closed military town, it reflected the technological ambitions and military rivalry of the Cold War era. 🔬 Training, not electricity production The facility contained two full-scale nuclear reactors identical to those used on nuclear submarines. They were never used for electricity production – their only purpose was to train naval specialists for submarine service. 🏛️ A Cold War heritage site today The preserved reactor structures represent a unique Cold War heritage site, telling a story of military technology, secrecy and the dramatic changes that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. 📅 Chronology 🏗️ Early 1960s – The Soviet Union begins construction of the secret nuclear submarine crew training centre in Paldiski. ⚛️ 1968 – The first training nuclear reactor becomes operational. ⚙️ 1983 – The second, more powerful reactor is commissioned. 🛑 1989 – After almost 20 years of operation, both reactors are shut down. 🔒 1994–1995 – Nuclear fuel is removed, the facility is decommissioned and transferred to Estonia. 🌍 Paldiski Nuclear Reactor – a powerful reminder of the Cold War history hidden in the Baltic region.

Paldiski Nuclear Reactor – a hidden legacy of the Cold War in Estonia. During the Soviet era, Paldiski was a closed military town and home to one of the most secret facilities of the Soviet Navy – a training centre for nuclear submarine crews. Hidden from the outside world, this facility represented the technological ambitions and military power of the Soviet Union. It contained two full-scale nuclear reactors, identical to those used on board nuclear submarines. Here, naval specialists trained to operate nuclear reactors under real working conditions. The reactors were never used for electricity production – their only purpose was to prepare submarine crews for service. Both reactors were shut down in 1989. After Estonia regained independence, the nuclear fuel was transported back to Russia, and the reactor compartments were safely sealed inside massive concrete sarcophagi. Today, the site stands as one of the most remarkable Cold War heritage locations in the Baltic region. The remains of the facility tell a story of secrecy, advanced technology, military rivalry and the dramatic changes that followed the end of the Soviet era.

One festival, many eras and experiences! ⚔️ On 14–15 August, the XVIII International Valga Military History Festival invites you to discover military history from many different perspectives. Across two eventful days, Valga will be filled with: ⚔️ historical battle reenactments depicting the events of 1812 and the Summer War of 1941 🚛 military vehicles, equipment and presentations by defence and internal security services 📚 a history conference and yearbook presentation 🛍️ an antiques and handicrafts fair 🎸 a major festival concert featuring Justament and Terminaator 🎼 an atmospheric Ave Maria film music concert at St John’s Church 🌍 military history clubs and participants from different countries Whether you are a dedicated history enthusiast or simply looking for an exciting and memorable weekend with family or friends, the festival offers something worth discovering. 📍 Valga, Estonia 📅 14–15 August 2026 Come and experience the biggest military festival in the Baltics! 🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹 📸Valga Militaarteemapark

Are you interested of Military Heritage? Put in your calender August 14.-15. 2026 and take part of Valga Military Festival:

Today, Estonia is not celebrating only Midsummer's Day, but Victory Day. On June 23, 1919, victory was achieved in the War of Independence. In its honor, the President of Republic lit the Victory Flame at the Victory Day parade in Rapla and the flame is carried across the country to light the Midsummer bonfires. June 23 was officially declared a national holiday, known as Victory Day, in 1934. In 1936, the ceremonial lighting and nationwide distribution of the Victory Flame began, aiming to bring the flame lit by the President to every Midsummer bonfire. Following the occupation and the restoration of independence, President Lennart Meri revived this tradition in 1993. Since then, annual Victory Day parades and the handover of the flame to the Estonian Defence League's flame carriers have taken place once again

Wagon of Tears to remember June 14 1941 mass deportation of thousands estonians.

Estonian National Prodcasting about Aviation Days 2026:

"Lauku ceļotājs" sadarbībā ar projekta partneriem ir sagatavojis izglītojošus militārā mantojuma tūrisma maršrutus skolu jauniešiem. Jau šovasar tos var individuāli braukt kopā ar saviem vecākiem, bet, atsākoties mācību gadam - kopā ar klasi un vēstures skolotājiem! 🌍 Militārā mantojuma tūrisma vietnē www.militaryheritagetourism.info izveidota jauna sadaļa ar vienas un vairāku dienu izglītojošiem maršrutiem skolas vecuma jauniešiem. 📚 Maršruti apvieno vietas Latvijā, Lietuvā un Igaunijā, kur vēsture tiek iepazīta caur interaktīvām programmām, spēlēm, ekskursijām un praktiskām aktivitātēm. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tie palīdz: ✅ skolām organizēt interesantas mācību ekskursijas; ✅ ģimenēm kopīgi iepazīt Baltijas valstu vēsturi. 🏛️ Vietnē šobrīd apkopoti vairāk nekā 1000 militārā mantojuma objekti Baltijā. 📖 Vēsture ārpus klases sienām 🎧 Klausīties vēstures pētnieku stāstos. 🪖 Turēt rokās autentiskus vēstures priekšmetus. 🎲 Piedalīties interaktīvās spēlēs. 🛠️ Iesaistīties praktiskās nodarbībās. Šāda pieredze palīdz jauniešiem saprast, ka vēsture nav tikai datumi mācību grāmatās, bet gan reāli notikumi, kuru ietekme joprojām redzama mūsu ikdienā. ⭐ No Neatkarības kariem līdz mūsdienām 🏰 Bunkuri 🏛️ Muzeji ⚔️ Kauju vietas 🪖 Militārās būves 🕯️ Piemiņas vietas Maršrutos iekļauti stāsti par: 📍 Pirmo pasaules karu 📍 Latvijas, Lietuvas un Igaunijas Neatkarības kariem 📍 Otro pasaules karu 📍 Padomju okupācijas periodu 📍 Nacionālās pretošanās kustību 📍 Baltijas valstu neatkarības atjaunošanu 🚗 Kā plānot braucienu? Katram maršrutam pieejama informācija par: 📌 starta un finiša punktu; 📏 maršruta garumu; ⏳ plānoto ilgumu; 🏛️ apskates objektiem; 🗺️ karti ar ieteicamo maršrutu; 🎯 izglītojošām programmām, ekskursijām, spēlēm un praktiskajām nodarbībām. ℹ️ Pirms došanās ceļā ieteicams pārbaudīt objektu darba laikus un pieejamos pakalpojumus. 🗺️ Vietnē pieejami 27 vienas dienas militārā mantojuma maršruti Latvijā, Lietuvā un Igaunijā. 🔗 https://militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/events/programs/tours #MilitāraisMantojums #SkoluEkskursijas #Latvija #Lietuva #Igaunija #MilitaryHeritageTourism Estonia-Latvia Programme Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme

Pirmā pasaules kara militārais mantojums Daugavas kreisajā krastā starp Ikšķili un Ogri. Nākamajās dienās būs mazliet vairāk informācijas! World War I military heritage on the left bank of the Daugava River between Ikšķile and Ogre (near Riga, Latvia). More information will follow in the coming days!

Pirmā pasaules kara ceļa vieta Cenas tīrelī pie Cenas tīreļa dabas takas. Ceļš labi redzams gan dabā kā lielāku koku (priežu) josla, gan arī satelītainās kā zaļāka svītra cauri purvam. PIe skatu torņa izveidota neliela vēsturiskā ceļa rekonstrukcija. World War I road site in Cenas Tīrelis, near the Cenas Tīrelis Nature Trail. Latvia, near Riga. The route is still clearly visible in the landscape today — marked by a distinctive line of taller pine trees crossing the bog, and even in satellite images as a greener stripe cutting through the peatland. Near the observation tower, a small historical reconstruction of the old road has been created, helping to imagine how this passage once looked and functioned more than a century ago.

Jau šovakar - Karostas cietumā Karosta - muzeju nakts pasākums. Satiec farcovščiku ar deficīta precēm, nobaudi karstus beļašus un izbaudi instruktores stingro disciplīnu. 🗝Virssardzes skaudrums Ieskaties priekšnieka kabinetā un kamerā nr. 4, kur ieslodzītais Sabļins klauvē pie caurulēm, nododot slepenas ziņas. Vai palīdzēsi viņam tās iznest "uz āru"? 👻Pretošanās gars Sajūti bunkura klusumu kopā ar mežabrāli un kara medmāsu, kura glābj dzīvības zem egļu zariem. 👀Sadzīves ironija Uzzini, kāpēc avīzi "Cīņa" nelasīja un kā ar tukšu tīkliņu rokās atrast laimi tukšos veikalu plauktos. Gaidīsim Tevi tur, kur vēsture vairs nav klusa. Visbeidzot nofotografējies un nosvini brīvību īstā bufetes atmosfērā! Vairāk: https://www.facebook.com/events/1554977433093644/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Skansin is a historic fortress in Tórshavn (Faroe Islands), built in 1580 by order of the seafarer Magnus Heinason to protect the town from pirate attacks. The fortress was later rebuilt and expanded several times. Above the fortifications stands the Skansin lighthouse, which has become one of the symbols of Tórshavn. During World War II, the Faroe Islands were occupied by British forces, and Skansin became a military position for the British Navy. Near the fortress, two large 5.5-inch British coastal defense guns can still be seen today; they were aimed at possible German attacks from the sea.

Svaigs gaiss, nekādu rindu un mierpilns vakars meža ielokā… Atšķirībā no muzejiem Rīgā, tieši šāda ir Muzeju nakts pie mums Tīreļpurvā – Ziemassvētku kauju muzejā. Vai maz iespējama piemērotāka noskaņa spoku stāstiem? 👻 Ja 23. maija vakarā vēlies aizbēgt no lielpilsētas kņadas, dodies uz Muzeju nakts pasākumiem Ziemassvētku kauju muzejā “Spoku stāsti Tīreļpurvā”! Būsim atvērti apmeklētājiem no plkst. 17.00 līdz 24.00. Pasākuma laikā tevi gaidīs: atjaunotās brīvdabas ekspozīcijas apskate, spēļu programma visu vecumu apmeklētājiem, pārgājiens uz piemiņas zīmi ''Zobens'' un programmas nagla – spoku stāsti kopā ar folkloras pētnieku un stāstnieku Dr. philol. Gunti Pakalnu! Tiekamies Muzeju naktī pasākumā “Spoku stāsti Tīreļpurvā”! Vairāk informācijas: https://www.karamuzejs.lv/zm/muzeju-nakts-2026-ziemassvetku-kauju-muzeja?fbclid=IwY2xjawRybiZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMWDdUTWg0VWx0cTFBZmswc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhcrc_nOB_FJn4GZQJhenqdSfHPHpoczxiX_zEgiHFWgDwQcOWHy2yQUia3T_aem_m-G6HQirhfm1nj2GLPiXbQ

Muzeju nakts pasākums Airītēs! 🌒 Jau atkal tuvojas maģiskā Muzeju nakts – šogad tā norisināsies 23. maijā, un, kā ierasts, Oskara Kalpaka muzejs ir sagatavojis īpašu vakara programmu! No plkst. 19.00 līdz plkst. 21.00 apmeklētājiem būs iespēja dzirdēt Saldus novada vēsturnieku, novadpētnieku un vēstures entuziastu priekšlasījumus par priekšmetiem, kas stāsta Saldus novada vēsturi. Tikmēr aktīvāku norišu cienītāji varēs piedalīties ģimeņu saliedēšanās aktivitātē “Kā senā spēlē”. Visa vakara garumā ikviens varēs apskatīt arī muzeja ekspozīciju. Dalība Muzeju nakts pasākumā – bez maksas! Vairāk informācijas: https://www.karamuzejs.lv/ok/muzeju-nakts-2026-oskara-kalpaka-muzeja?fbclid=IwY2xjawRuXyNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiYWRTN0diSmlHUjhEdWxUc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgPq_fHhByoEAUIU2V3mtlbKwejP3JAz76-JlBrfPkNLZa1w5--koxJY3Pov_aem_JQ0qvvkHQTrmaiYxCiCnbg Tiekamies Airītēs!

Renowned Estonian director Ain Mäeots is currently bringing the nation’s history to life with his latest project, Vabaduse sõda (War of Freedom). The film, which centers on the Estonian War of Independence, is being shot across various locations in Estonia, with the crew heading to Finland this summer to capture authentic historical footage. While it’s a feature film, the production stays true to the real-life historical events that shaped the era. Look out for it in cinemas in 2027

Liepājas Karosta. Karostas cietums. Ar Liepājas skolēniem iepazīstam 19. un 20. gs. Liepājas Karostas vēsturi un diskutējam par to, lai vēsture būtu saprotama un interesanta! Liepāja Karosta. Karosta Prison. We are learning about the history of Liepāja Karosta in the 19th and 20th centuries with students from Liepāja and discussing how to make history understandable and interesting!

On April 28–29, the Estonian War Museum Eesti Sõjamuuseum hosted the partners of the Estonian-Latvian cross-border project MIL-HER ACCESSIBLE. On the first day, the group traveled to Naissaar island to explore its rich military heritage and test the map application currently under development in a real-world environment. Led by Ranno Sõnum, a researcher at the Estonian War Museum, the group visited the Naissaar Military Museum, the cemetery where British sailors were buried during the Crimean War, Coastal Defense Battery No. 7 (the so-called “American Batteries”), and Coastal Defense Battery No. 10b. Discussions also focused on how to improve the accessibility of these sites and the visitor experience for various target groups. The following day, a seminar was held at the Estonian War Museum, where project partners provided an overview of their activities and progress to date. All partners have already implemented or are planning solutions to improve accessibility at their selected military heritage sites, whether by adapting content for different target groups, ensuring content accessibility for the visually impaired, or providing physical accessibility for those with mobility impairments. The next step is the testing and implementation phase. At the same time, the development of the corresponding web environment, maps, and educational materials is underway. The Estonian War Museum is currently working on a new exhibition at the Estonian National Defense College Museum in Tartu, which, thanks to project funding, will be designed from the outset to meet modern accessibility standards.