top sights to visit in the baltics to see remnants of the ussr

As a child of the 80s, I remember more than Aquanet, Jelly shoes and acid-washed jeans. I also distinctly remember the fall of the USSR. You know, that giant of a country that once had a cold war with the US. If, like me, you hold some kind of weird fascination for the former USSR, you're probably aware that the Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) were made part of the USSR.

Although many traces of the USSR have been scrubbed as much as possible in the Baltics, some people have been trying to preserve some sites to provide a painful but useful reminder to not repeat mistakes of the past.

These sites are a perfect reminder of that painful period in the Baltics.



Vilnius, Lithuania

The Genocide Museum - this building actually contains artifacts and exhibits from the Nazi and Soviet occupations. It also contains an old KGB prison. For me, visiting the museum was a scary but moving experience. Entrance fee.

A KGB Prison Cell. Genocide Museum - Vilnius.

Various prison cells. Genocide Museum - Vilnius.

Baltic Way - this concrete installation is a simple pair of footsteps commemorating a 1989 peaceful human chain protest against the USSR. The protesters included citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Tallinn and their human chain extended through all Baltic states. The Lithuanian memorial is located in Cathedral Square. Free.

Vilnius.

Riga, Latvia

Latvian Riflemen - A monument inside the old town. Its blocky design is very Soviet. Free.

Riflemen Monument.

Stalin's Layer Cake Building (aka Latvian Academy of Sciences building) - located outside the old town, I was told that this building was an homage to Stalin and contained the sickle and hammer on its facade. Also, I heard the views from a viewing platform are great. But, I can't vouch for it because it was closed when I visited in winter. It is now used as government offices.

Layer Cake building.

Corner House - located outside the old town, the KGB used this place to interrogate people and to encourage citizens to tattle on their neighbors. A free portion allowed entry to look at exhibits, and a paid portion allowed visitors to go into particular rooms. I was too cheap to pay but I wish I did. Some parts free.

Corner House.

Occupation Museum - the museum has exhibits from the Nazi and Soviet occupation of Latvia. I thought it was well curated. Donations requested.

Baltic Way - like Vilnius, a similar pair of footsteps serve as a memorial to the 1989 protest. The Latvian memorial is located in front of the Laima chocolate store by Freedom Square. Free.

Riga.

Tallinn, Estonia

59 Pikk used to be a KGB headquarter inside the old town. It now houses luxury apartments so, as a private property, I couldn't really trespass. But, it's still a moving experience to see the bricked up windows on the first floor to, supposedly, drown out screams of people brought there for questioning. Find out more history about this building and the nearby church spire here. Free to look at the building from the outside.

59 Pikk.

Museum of Occupation - This museum actually covers Nazi and Soviet occupations. It houses plenty of artifacts including very fascinating spy gear (like a needle point spy hole) and lots of Stalin/Lenin statues in the basement. Entrance fee.

Museum of Occupation - Tallinn.

Linnahall - located outside the old town by the port, the Soviets built this building for the 1980 Olympics. It's hard to describe other than to say it is gargantuan and blocky. It is also crumbling fast. Don't visit at night as I found it sketchy when I visited it during the day. Free to check the exterior grounds.

View from Linnahall.

View from Linnahall.

Hotel Viru - located outside the old town, supposedly, the KGB used this hotel as a headquarter and bugged the rooms. Tours available (for a fee) in English.

Baltic Way - like Vilnius and Riga, Tallinn also has an Estonian memorial to the protest against the USSR. It is located in Toompea, the hill above Freedom Square. Free.

Tallinn.

What sites from the former USSR have moved you?