Places to visit in Narva

History & architecture

Kreenholm Manufacture

The Kreenholm Manufacturing Company is a vast 19th-century industrial ensemble on Kreenholm Island and one of Narva's most unusual historical sites. Once one of Europe's largest textile manufacturers, the factory spawned a complete industrial environment featuring production buildings, canals, and workers' quarters. The red-brick architecture is particularly impressive for its scale and location right next to the Narva Waterfalls and the state border. The area is not a standard freely accessible museum; guided tours and special visits are organized inside the historical complex. Therefore, Kreenholm is best viewed as a separate industrial route that should be planned in advance.

Indicative price: Only on a Narva Museum guided tour: 16 €, concession 11 € (children aged 9–18, pupils, students, pensioners); children up to 8 free. Tickets in advance only.

Joala tn 20, Narva

History & architecture

Narva Town Hall

Narva Town Hall is a historic 17th-century building on Town Hall Square in Narva, restored and reopened to visitors in 2023. It is one of the few buildings in the old centre to have survived the destruction of the Second World War. Today it houses the tourist information centre and the city's ceremonial rooms; on a guided tour visitors can see the town hall's rooms and learn how its role has changed. A separate VR exhibition about pre-war Narva is also available in the building. The town hall's architecture and the nearby modern Narva College make the square a place to explore different periods of the city's history.

Indicative price: Town hall tour: adult €5; reduced €3. The VR exhibition is charged separately.

Raekoja plats 1, 20307 Narva

History & architecture

Narva Aleksandri kirik

Narva Aleksandri kirik is a Lutheran church on Kiriku Street in Narva, built in 1881–1884 for the workers of the Krenholm Manufacturing Company. The building was designed by architect Otto Pius von Hippius; the bell tower was destroyed during the war and later restored. Today, the church attracts visitors not only with its architecture: inside, there is a light installation "Sky over Narva" that tells the city's history through projections on the vaults. Visitors can also explore the history of Narva's churches, and visiting the tower completes the experience with a panoramic view of the cityscape.

Indicative price: Adult from €6; concession from €4; family from €15.

Kiriku tänav 9, Narva

History & architecture

Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is an Orthodox church in central Narva on Masina Street. Completed in 1896 in the historicist style, the church was built for the spiritual needs of the Kreenholm workers. The building stands out with its large central dome, red-brick façades and richly decorated interior. The cathedral survived the destruction of the Second World War and is today an important part of Narva's sacred architectural heritage. Inside you can see Orthodox church art and the iconostasis. When visiting, keep in mind services, parish customs and possible church events.

Masina tn 4, Narva

History & architecture

Grave of Adolf Hahn

The grave of Adolf Hahn is in Narva in the Siivertsi cemetery area and honours the memory of one of the well-known industrial and public figures in the town's history. Adolf Hahn was an entrepreneur and public figure linked to Narva's development, whose activity belonged to the period of the town's industrial growth. The grave offers a glimpse into Narva's historic cemetery culture and local memorial heritage. It is a quiet, modest historical place rather than a typical museum or tourist attraction. When visiting, respect the nature of the cemetery, keep the surroundings clean and treat the graves there with respect.

Jõesuu tänav L4, Narva

History & architecture

Siivertsi Monument

The Siivertsi monument stands in Narva in the Jõesuu Street area and commemorates the Battle of Narva in 1700. The memorial is dedicated to the soldiers of the Russian Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky guards regiments who took part in the battle fought at Narva at the start of the Great Northern War. The monument helps to understand the town's importance in European military history and the scale of the battles fought around Narva. It is a historical memorial site that can be viewed outdoors. Visitors should respect the commemorative meaning of the place and keep the surroundings clean and quiet.

Jõesuu tänav L7, Narva

History & architecture

University of Tartu Narva College

University of Tartu Narva College is a modern academic building on Narva's historic Town Hall Square. The architecturally distinctive building was completed in 2012, and its design relates to the historic town house that once stood on the same site. The college is the University of Tartu's regional teaching and research centre, focusing among other things on education, languages and social development. The building is also of interest to architecture enthusiasts, as its contemporary form stands right next to Narva Town Hall. The building can be viewed from outside on Town Hall Square; access to the interior depends on the college's schedule and public events.

Raekoja plats 2, Narva

History & architecture

Alexander Pushkin Monument

The Alexander Pushkin monument stands beside Pushkin Street in central Narva and is dedicated to the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. It is one of the literary memorials in Narva's townscape and helps to notice the town's diverse cultural heritage. The public space around the sculpture allows you to view it while walking around town, without entering a building or museum. The memorial makes a good stop when exploring the architecture and public artworks of central Narva. Nearby houses, streets and green areas give the monument an everyday urban backdrop.

Aleksander Puškini tänav L2, Narva

History & architecture

Adolf Hahn Stairs

The Adolf Hahn Stairs are a historic staircase in Narva linking the Dark Garden (Pimeaed) area with the riverside walkway along the Narva River. The stairs were built in 1875 on the initiative of the then mayor Adolf Hahn and bear his name. Later construction work changed the original length of the stairs, and one section ended up underground when a new bridge was built. The staircase has been thoroughly restored, with the latest reconstruction completed in 2023. As an architectural structure in its own right, it helps visitors understand the levels of the townscape and historic routes through it. The stairs are not the same as the Dark Garden or the Narva river promenade as a whole.

Jõe tn 1b, Narva

History & architecture

Narva Hospital Building

The historic Narva Hospital Building on Haigla Street was completed in 1913 to a design by architect Aleksandr Vladovsky. Its construction was linked to the development of the Kreenholm industrial district and the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty's rule. The facade and architectural details of what was then a modern hospital give an idea of Narva's building culture in the early 20th century. The building was damaged in the Second World War but largely restored to its original form. It still houses a medical facility today, so it is best viewed from outside, with respect for the hospital's work and patients' privacy.

Haigla tn 5, Narva

History & architecture

Paul Keres Memorial

The Paul Keres Memorial stands in central Narva on the green area between Aleksander Puškin Street and Peter's Square. The bronze sculpture is dedicated to Narva-born international chess grandmaster Paul Keres and was unveiled to mark the centenary of his birth. Its authors, Aivar Simson and Paul Mänd, portrayed the chess player at a board so that passers-by can sit opposite him and ponder the next move. The sculpture refers to a game against Walter Browne played in Vancouver in 1975. It is a standalone public memorial, not the Pushkin monument or the fortress viewing platform.

A. Puškini tn, Narva

History & architecture

Kuremäe Convent

Kuremäe Convent in Kuremäe village, Ida-Viru County, is an active Orthodox convent for nuns, also known as Pühtitsa. In the complex, founded at the end of the 19th century, you can walk in the open areas and view the various buildings from outside while respecting the convent's way of life. At the foot of the hill is a spring that has special significance in local tradition. Some of the churches and interiors are not open for free visits; a more thorough tour must be arranged with the convent in advance. Coming from Narva, set aside time for a separate excursion.

Kasemäe, Kuremäe küla, Alutaguse vald, Ida-Viru maakond

History & architecture

Jõhvi St. Michael's Church and Fortress Church Museum

Jõhvi St. Michael's Church and the Fortress Church Museum are on Rakvere Road in the town of Jõhvi, Ida-Viru County. Thanks to its massive walls the medieval church resembles a fortress; in the vaulted cellars beneath the altar, the museum presents Jõhvi's early history and the church's past as a defensive structure. The exhibits include archaeological finds and a model that helps you picture the building before the Livonian War. In summer the museum can be visited on set days, while at other times a visit must be arranged in advance. The church, which can be viewed from outside, and the cellar museum together make one complete historical stop.

Indicative price: Museum adult ticket €2; reduced €1.

Rakvere mnt 6, Jõhvi linn, Jõhvi vald, Ida-Viru maakond

History & architecture

Ruins of Vasknarva Order Castle

The ruins of the Vasknarva ordulinnus are located in the village of Vasknarva in the Alutaguse municipality, Ida-Viru County, on the banks of the Narva River. The first order fortress was established here in 1349 but was destroyed the same year. A new fortress began to be built in 1427, and it became the residence of the local fogt. After the Livonian War, the building remained in ruins. Today, one can see the remains of the ancient fortification walls, about three meters thick, and the view of the opposite bank of the river. The site is outdoors, so suitable footwear should be chosen based on the terrain and weather, and a safe distance should be kept from the crumbling walls.

Kanali põik, Vasknarva küla, Alutaguse vald, Ida-Viru maakond