A Magical Day at the Estonian Open Air Museum

A Magical Day at the Estonian Open Air Museum

During my recent trip to Estonia, my sister Olivia and I discovered a place out of time: the Estonian Open Air Museum (Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum). Nestled in a charming natural setting, this museum is a true treasure for anyone eager to dive into the history and traditions of this fascinating country.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the wooden houses, adorned with their beautiful thatched roofs. These rustic yet elegant roofs seemed to harmonize perfectly with the surrounding forest. Each house told a story, and every detail—from the delicately crafted windows to the welcoming porches—spoke of the ingenuity and spirit of the artisans of the past.

Inside two of these cottages, we met women dressed in traditional costumes, who seemed to have stepped straight out of another era. One wore a skirt adorned with intricate embroidery, while the other had a colorful scarf tied with care. They greeted us with warm smiles, sharing anecdotes and stories about everyday life in times gone by. We learned, for instance, how families preserved food for the winter or how they celebrated seasonal festivals with a mix of simplicity and joy.

Their gestures, their words, and even the way they moved around these old spaces brought these houses to life in an almost magical way. For a moment, Olivia and I felt like we had traveled back in time, sharing a moment suspended between past and present.

As we left the museum, I carried away much more than memories. This visit reminded me of the importance of preserving these traditions, cherishing these testaments of another time, and, above all, taking a moment to marvel at the simple yet profound beauty of life.