The name 'Kadriorg' translates from Estonian as 'Catherine's Valley'.
The palace was constructed on land that originally served as a summer manor estate.
During the early 20th century, the building served as the official residence of the Estonian Head of State.
The museum houses a significant collection of 17th and 18th-century Dutch, German, and Italian paintings.
Architectural motifs include original plasterwork by Antonius Graff and ceiling paintings by Salomon Saal.
The palace underwent a major multi-year restoration before reopening as an art museum in 2000.
Kadriorg Art Museum is housed in a grand baroque palace commissioned by Peter the Great in 1718 for Catherine I of Russia. The palace was designed by Italian architect Niccolò Michetti and serves as the primary venue for Estonia’s collection of foreign art. Visitors can view European and Russian paintings, prints, and sculptures dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The main hall features an elaborate two-story ceiling painting restored to reflect the original opulence of the palace's imperial function. The building operates as a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia. The palace is surrounded by an extensive park complex featuring restored gardens and a Japanese garden. It frequently hosts chamber music concerts and educational programs in the historic ballroom.
The central staircase and the view of the main hall looking toward the ceiling.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Kadriorg Park to see the nearby KUMU Art Museum.
Check the museum's events calendar in advance, as the main hall is occasionally reserved for private classical concerts.
Focus your visit on the Main Hall to appreciate the restored baroque interior architecture.
Assuming all museum buildings in the area contain the same collection; the palace is distinct from the neighboring KUMU Art Museum which focuses on contemporary and Estonian art.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Standard museum decorum applies; photography is generally permitted for private use without flash.
