About
Aparaaditehas is a cultural and creative center located in Tartu, Estonia. The name "Aparaaditehas" translates to “apparatus factory" in English, and it is housed in a former factory building that has been converted into a space for events, exhibitions, workshops, and performances.
Our center is known for its vibrant cultural scene and we host a variety of events and activities, including concerts, theater performances, film screenings, art exhibitions, and markets. Aparaaditehas also houses a number of artist studios, design shops, and cafes.
Aparaaditehas is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and it has become a hub for the creative community in Tartu. The center has helped to revitalize the area and has played an important role in promoting the arts and culture in Tartu.
During the Soviet times, the factory was used for manufacturing refrigeration equipment, secret submarine parts and in order to mislead the public, also non-functioning umbrellas and zippers. At its heyday in the middle of 1970s, the factory provided employment for almost 1,500 people, it had its own health centre with sauna and a pool, a canteen, it's own artist and enough administrative premises to occupy several buildings.In 2006, the complex of Aparaaditehas was purchased by a real estate company called ABC Kinnisvarateenuste OÜ. In 2021 the factory was sold to Kultuuritehased OÜ. Since 2014, the 14,000 m2 centre has been developed into a culture factory. The culture and community programme is curated and organised by NGO Aparaaditehas.
Aparaaditehas hosts four restaurants and two cafés, it is the home for the very popular Müürilille flea market, many galleries (Kogo, Ag47, tARTu gallery, Ajuokse gallery, R gallery, TYPA Balcony Gallery), many different event spaces and venues like the Hall of Love, Club Gutenberg and the Living Room Behind the Stage. We have a rooftop sauna and a rooftop garden. Aparaaditehas is a home for many different office spaces, a co-working area called Sofa Office and rooms for numerous small and exciting shops. Our courtyard called Taskupark (The Pocket Park) is the coolest meeting place in the area that hosts both concerts, flea markets and an outdoor cinema in the summer.
TYPA centre (formerly The Estonian Print and Paper Museum) recently moved to a larger building and is located in the neighbouring courtyard.
We offer tours of Aparaaditehas which can be held in English. Minimum group size is 10 people (contact ekskursioon@aparaaditehas.ee for more info).
Aparaaditehas hosts a variety of different events every week from concerts to workshops and parties to exhibitions. Check out our events pageIf you have any questions don't hesitate to contact us!
Opening times for the shops vary from shop to shop
Opening times for the galleries:
Kogo gallery
Wed – Fri / 1pm – 7pm
Sat / 1pm – 6pm
Ag47 gallery
Mon – Tue / closed
Wed – Sun / 12pm – 6pm
HAKI gallery
Mon - Tue - Sun / closed
Wed - Fri / 12pm - 6pm
Sat / 12pm - 4pm
R Gallery (Karud ja Pojad)
Mon - Tue - Sun / closed
Wed - Fri / 12pm - 6pm
Sat / 12pm - 4pm
Aparaaditehas Balcony Gallery (above Fahrenheit 451)
Mon - Tue / closed
wed - Sat / 12pm - 6pm
Sun / 12pm-5pm
Opening times for the cafés and restaurants:
Aparaat
Mon – Thu / 12pm – 11pm
Fri – Sat / 12pm – 12am
Sun / 12pm – 6pm
Trikster Tihane
Mon – Thu / 11:30am – 9pm
Fri / 11:30am – 10pm
sat / 12pm - 10pm
Sun / closed
Kolm Tilli
Mon– Thu / 9am – 11pm
Fri / 9am – 1am
Sat / 10am – 1am
Sun / 10am – 10pm
Mon - Sun / 10am - 6pm
Puhvet
Mon - Sat / 9am – 4pm
Sun / closed
Veg Machine
Mon - Thu / 12pm - 8pm
Fri - Sat / 12pm - 9pm
Sun / 12pm - 5pm
Peninuki distillery
Shop:
Wen-Fri / 12am – 6pm
Bar:
Tue - Thu / 6pm – 12am
Fri - Sat / 6pm - 2am
See you at the factory!
HOW TO GET HERE
Our address isKastani 42, Tartu, 50410
We’re located:
750m from Tartu Train Station
1.5km from Tartu Bus Station
1.6km from the Town Hall Square
How to get here:
Buses nr 1, 2, 8, 10, 11, 12 stop in fron of Aparaaditehas (Pauluse bus stop)
Lux Express buses from Tallinn make a stop in front of Aparaaditehas before heading to the bus station.
Parking (see map below)
CONTACTS
Erki Pruul
Managing director
erki@aparaaditehas.ee
+372 5667 4704
Veiko Järvis
Administrative manager / Technical producer
veiko@aparaaditehas.ee
+372 5347 6050
Karmen Otu
Program manager / Communications manager
karmen@aparaaditehas.ee
+372 5663 1234
Janetta Lukk
Armastuse saal / Sofa Hub / events
janetta@aparaaditehas.ee
+372 5386 7918Urmas Laur
Founder
urmas@aparaaditehas.ee
PARKING