The castellan house together with the two adjacent buildings is part of the historical ensemble of Kadrioru Castle. The two-story wooden building was built as a residence for the castellan (castle guard and park supervisor) in 1833 – 1850. The glazed porch and staircase of the Neo-Baroque house were added to the main part later. In other parts, the building has been preserved in its original appearance.

The Republic of Estonia decided to give writer and diplomat Eduard Vilde (1865 – 1933) a house with grass and garden land for his 60th birthday. After a long search, in 1927 a suitable 6-room apartment was found in a castellan house belonging to the state. At the time of moving into Vilde, the facade of the house was dark brown instead of the current pink. There were also big trees in front of the house and a small flower garden surrounded by a tree fence.

At the expense of the Ministry of Education, the apartment was renovated and furnished with A. M. Luther factory. In November of the same year, the writer moved to a new home with his wife and mother-in-law.

After Vilde’s death, Peeter Päts (Konstantin Päts’ brother), who became the park manager, lived in the same apartment.
Several interior doors and tiled stoves from the 19th century have been preserved in the house, as well as the apartment’s lighting fixtures, period wallpaper and textiles.

The museum was opened in Vilde’s apartment on August 29, 1946.

04.03.1865-26.12.1933

Eduard Vilde’s mark on Estonian literary and cultural history is very deep. When he appeared on our still sparse literary scene in the last decades of the 19th century, he quickly became a phenomenon and “our first” head in all genres. Our first writer of crime, humor, travel and novels, as well as the founder of theater and literary criticism. He had the ability to get into the hearts of the Estonian people with original, extremely popular jokes and thrillers, which is why his role in teaching the people here to read cannot be underestimated. 1902 The first historical novel of Estonia, “Mahtra’s War”, which was published, immediately became a cult work and an important foundational text of national identity. The novel, largely based on folk memory and authentic archival material, has later influenced our approach to history. Vilde was both the most successful and the most influential writer here. The people trusted his words.

Vilde was always a little ahead of his time. Vilde, who is in favor of free marriage, stands for human and women’s rights and emphasizes social tolerance and tolerance, would be more suitable for the 21st century instead of the beginning of the 20th century. It is no wonder then that the spiritual space of the homeland at that time remained old-fashioned and dull for the writer. Vilde needed the air of a big city and the culture of the developed world. He needed Europe! It is mainly for these reasons that Vilde has lived abroad for almost 20 years in different periods of his life. This time also included 11 volatile and difficult refugee years. All this experience shaped Vildest, our first real European!

After returning from exile, Vilde plunged into local politics in 1917. He became an active social democrat and a member of the Tallinn City Council. It was a time when every talented and intelligent person had to contribute to the long-dreamed-of building of their country. Vilde was hired as the diplomatic representative of the Republic of Estonia to Germany (1919-1920). The “mission” for the benefit of the country at this pivotal time came at the expense of one’s own creativity and health. Vilde, who later retired from politics, remained one of the best-known ambassadors of the idea of democracy in our country until the end of his life. He keenly observed the development of the society here and again and again reacted to pain points, injustice, malformations and lack of culture.

Eduard Vilde died in his home in Kadriorg during the Christmas holidays of 1933.

As part of the “Hipster Vilde” traveling exhibition, the website “Vilde cookbook” has been completed. Eduard Vilde took great care of his health and became a vegetarian at the end of his life. That is why you can only find vegetable delicacies in the cookbook. The author of the delicious food recipes is Janar Soo, and the ingredients have been chosen faithfully to the era, keeping in mind the raw materials of the time. Now is the chance to live in the Vilde era with all your senses!

The exhibition “Hipster Vilde” can be ordered for your own school! The exhibition summarizes the most important themes of the exposition in a miniature suitcase format: Vilde’s work, his years in exile, his travels, health, and more.

See the home page of the cookbook

Roheline aas 3
Tallinn 10150
Phone: +3726013181
vilde@kirjanduskeskus.ee
Group bookings: mari@kirjanduskeskus.ee

Museum is open Tue, Thu-Sat 11-17, Wed 11-18.

You can get to the museum from the city center by trams 1 and 3 (Kadrioru stop) or by buses going towards Pirita (Poska stop).
You can park by the Roheline aas street. NB! Paid downtown zone.