The Seaplane Harbour
The world's oldest reinforced-concrete seaplane hangar hides a submarine, vintage aircraft and Estonian maritime history. Experience this 1917 engineering marvel from inside.
Overview
Seaplane Harbour Tour — 3 hangars and submarine Lembit
The Seaplane Harbour tour takes you into a unique 1917 reinforced-concrete hangar. Walk with me to see submarine Lembit, vintage aircraft and the story of Estonia’s maritime heritage.
The Seaplane Harbour hangar is a true masterpiece of engineering. Completed in 1917, it was a staggering 20 years ahead of its time. The building’s most astonishing feature is its innovative reinforced shell concrete dome, which measures a mere 8 to 15 centimetres in thickness. To truly appreciate how extraordinary this design is, one can compare it to the famous Pantheon in Rome, whose dome boasts a thickness of a full 3 meters. It is precisely this combination of lightness and grand scale that makes the Seaplane Harbour such a unique architectural monument.
The undisputed star of the Seaplane Harbour exhibition is the submarine Lembitu, built in England in 1937 by order of the Republic of Estonia. Lembitu holds a world record as the submarine that remained in the water the longest, for a remarkable 75 years. Today, this exceptional vessel has been lifted inside the hangar, offering everyone the unique opportunity to step inside a historic submarine. The Seaplane Harbour is also home to the world’s only full-scale replica of a Short Type 184 seaplane.
Outside at the quayside, another rare gem awaits visitors—the steam-powered icebreaker Suur Tõll. This mighty vessel is just two years younger than the famous Titanic and has been preserved with astonishing authenticity. A walk through Suur Tõll’s engine room or the captain’s cabin makes you feel as though you have stepped right back in time.
The Seaplane Harbour offers plenty of discovery for everyone, whether exploring inside the hangar or strolling along the quay. If that isn’t enough, it is highly worth visiting its sister branch, Fat Margaret.
The current temporary exhibition, “The Call of the Sea: The Art Collection of the Estonian Maritime Museum,” is open until November 1, 2026.
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Highlights
- 1917 hangar — globally unique reinforced-concrete dome
- Submarine Lembit (1936) — we step inside
- Vintage aircraft and maritime equipment
- Stories of Tallinn's air force and navy
- 1.5h guided tour
Important Info
Ticket prices for the Seaplane Harbour can be found here.