Püssirohukelder, Tartu, Estonia - SpottingHistory.com

In 1763 Russian Empress Catherine II ordered to fortify Tartu again. It was decided to build a gunpowder magazine (Püssirohukelder) in the former city moat. The responsibility of the building was assigned to Field-Marshal General de Villebois. His engineers started to build magazine in 1768. The bricks are brought from the old Mary Church (about where the University Main Building is now) and the ruins of the bishop settlement on Toome Hill demolished in 1708. The magazine completed in 1778.

Today Püssirohukelder offers Estonian and German dishes and has room for up to 300 people.

Reference: Püssirohukelder

User Reviews

Teemu Lantz (12 months ago)
A very nice and unique experience. The food is not fancy, but it is good. They also have a fair selection of drinks.

Hannah Perez (14 months ago)
This is already heavily labeled as a dining/drinking institution around Tartu and I agree with that. It is an interesting place with a piece of history that’s cool to know. The high ceiling provides an amazing openness to the space, with the mood lighting still creating the cosy pub vibe. I ordered the blue cheese burger: portions did not disappoint my big appetite although the patty’s flavor has been lost to the blue cheese (not at all bad in my preference though).

Giga Abashidze (14 months ago)
Great draft beer and tasty dishes. I recommend the fried bread with garlic. Large space, atmospheric but may be a bit chilly. Definitely worth a visit.

Merle Sasi (2 years ago)
Delicious food, good service and good beer. Good prices and full plates. Bon appetite!

Kaspars Dolgis (2 years ago)
Nice staff, nice place. We loved it. But 1 less star cuz outdoors could be more cozy ? Thank you for wonderful time.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

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In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

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As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.

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