Opening of the Northern Courtyard and a New Exhibition at Narva Castle
Event overview
The new tourist season at Narva Castle will kick off on Monday, May 20, with the opening of an exhibition in the recently restored forge of the Northern Courtyard.
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In anticipation of summer, the restored forge of the Northern Courtyard will open for the first time as an exhibition space. According to Anne Raud, the head of the exhibition, this room used to be a working workshop. After the restoration, the forge has completely retained its functionality, but now the objects and the walls themselves allow visitors to immerse themselves in history and learn about the development of blacksmithing in Narva.
No settlement, whether a city or a small village, could do without a forge. Here, in the forge, essential tools, household items, and weapons were made. The forge was also a place for socializing: not only could one shoe a horse here, but also hear the latest news or settle debts. Despite the importance of the blacksmith's work, attitudes toward him were ambiguous—in folklore, he was attributed supernatural powers and a special connection with the devil and the otherworldly.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to independently explore the forge, see a variety of tools, and learn interesting facts about this craft while listening to the sounds of the blacksmith's hammer. The restored walls now feature information about the history of the forge, as well as engravings depicting craftsmen at work.
The forge in the Northern Courtyard of the Narva Museum opened in 2007, and many craftsmen have worked here and various events have been held. The most famous of these is "Baroque Style Forging," where local and foreign blacksmiths demonstrated their skills. The wrought iron items created during the festival are displayed both in the forge and in the Northern Courtyard.
The exhibition will be open to the public throughout the season during the working hours of the Narva Museum. Entrance to the exhibition is free, as it is part of the Northern Courtyard complex, which is freely accessible to citizens and city guests during the summer months.
The forge opening will take place on Monday, May 20, at 4:00 PM. The exhibition project was realized with the support of the Eesti Kultuurkapital fund.
