Kreenholm Manufacture

The Kreenholm Manufacture is a symbol of Narva. For a century and a half, this industrial enterprise was the largest in the area. Products under the Kreenholm brand are well-known far beyond the borders of the Estonian Republic. Its bedding and kitchen towels were particularly popular.

Visiting Kreenholm

During the summer, the Narva Museum organizes tours of the Kreenholm Manufacture. The events are held on Sundays and are available in Russian, Estonian, and English. Each tour lasts about an hour and a half.

Participants visit the largest factory workshop, showcasing the scale of production. The tour also includes visits to the local waterfalls. It’s worth noting that this is the only opportunity to access the manufacturer’s premises, which are otherwise closed to the public.

The History of Kreenholm Manufacture

The textile production in Narva was founded in 1857 by Ludwig Knoop, a merchant from Bremen, known as a pioneer of the cotton-spinning industry in Russia. At the time of its founding, the factory was the largest in the Russian Empire.

By 1913, it employed 10,000 people. By 1970, the factory’s land had expanded to 32,000 acres, and the workforce had grown to 12,000. After the Soviet Union collapsed, the factory faced hard times.

In 1994, the manufacturer was acquired by the Swedish company Boras Wafveri AB, which first restructured the company, creating several divisions. However, the manufacturer never regained its former glory.

Since 1994, the factory has changed owners several times, with none interested in preserving or developing production. As a result, the enterprise faced bankruptcy multiple times.

In 2012, an attempt was made to revive the manufacture by its new owners, Eurotekstiil Group, who aimed to restore Narva’s former glory as a center of the Estonian textile industry. At that time, the factory employed 40 people, with plans to increase this to 100 within a year.

The Kreenholm Buildings

The Kreenholm Manufacture was built in a picturesque location on the Narva River, upstream from the city. The river here forms a waterfall with two ledges, between which lies the Kreenholm Island. Red brick was used as the building material for the manufacturer’s structures.

The factory buildings were designed in a strict English style, significantly influencing the appearance of not just one district, but the entire city. It’s also worth mentioning that the enterprise used power generated by the local waterfall, helping to keep production costs at a reasonable level.

The constant demand for high-quality products prompted the management to not only develop production and increase industrial capacities but also to think of the workers. Over time, many industrial buildings, barracks for workers, and houses for the factory’s management were built around the manufacture. A hospital was also constructed nearby.

Kreenholm Manufacture on the Map

Kreenholm Manufacture on the map of Narva
Address of Kreenholm Manufacture:
Joala tn 20, Narva

Other Interesting Places

• Be sure to visit the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral, the largest in Ida-Virumaa county.
• But the main and most famous city attraction is Narva Castle. Today, it houses a city museum with an interesting interactive exhibition.
• Also, find out about the monuments in Narva. Many of them will leave a lasting impression.