If you look at the brochures dedicated to the museums of Helsinki, then you can find about eighty of such organizations. Of course, not all museums in the city can be compared in luxury and scope to the historical monuments of St. Petersburg, but they should also be paid tribute. Most museums are dedicated to a particular era or event and are modest in size, but nevertheless, here you can meet several large-scale projects, for example, the National Museum of Finland in Helsinki.
Finland, its culture and traditions are fully shown in the expositions of this museum. Its rich funds covered the entire period of development of the state from antiquity to modern years.
The museum is served by Russian-speaking groups, and if tourists are interested in more detailed information, then they can buy additional literature in the museum store.
Briefly about the history of the museum
The National Museum of Finland in Helsinki was opened to the public in 1916. The museum building was created under the guidance of architects G. Gesellius, A. Lindgren and E. Saarinen. In those days, all the craftsmen worked in the architectural company Gesellius-Lindgren-Saarinen. The building began to be erected in 1905, and after hard work lasting for five years, the project was completed. The foyer of the National Museum is crowned with frescoes by the famous artist A. Gallen-Kallela.
Description of Finnish Attractions
The building is the largest historical museum located in the capital of the country. Its exposition introduces tourists to the centuries-old Finnish history.
The museum is located in a magnificent building, which in its architecture resembles a Scandinavian medieval castle. The building is decorated with a decorative stone foundation, Romanesque windows, a high conical tower. This building cannot be confused with anything.
In fact, the museum is a treasury in which cultural exhibits are stored, showing the country's development path from ancient civilizations to the present. Expositions on culture, local history, art, ethnography fully illustrate all aspects of state life.
Collected Exposure
The huge collection of exhibits in the National Museum of Finland is divided into parts, a total of six, and each is exhibited in a separate room. Here are collections of medals, insignias, coins, as well as national weapons, jewelry, silver. Many exhibits were discovered by archaeologists during excavations in the country.
The permanent exhibition included 5 departments:
- "Last century".
- "Kingdom".
- "Treasure".
- "Earth and people."
- “Historical Finland”.
The first exposition tells about the independence of the state and its identity in the culture of the XX century.
Exhibits from the Kingdom Department showcase the history of Finnish culture from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Here are presented national costumes, toys, musical instruments, furniture.
The Treasury exhibition contains numismatic collections: edged weapons, jewelry, coins of different periods, orders, medals. Undoubtedly, this is the most beautiful museum exhibition.
“Land and people” reflects the rural life of the Finns before industrialization.
The historical department is the largest. It is dedicated to archaeological values and presents unique artifacts: metal and ceramic products, weapons, household items, national jewelry and costumes.
The National Museum of Finland also holds temporary exhibitions, which are usually dedicated to the Finnish cultural heritage. In addition to several exhibitions, there is an information center, a souvenir shop and a cafe for visitors.
The National Museum is the pride of the country and a very popular place in Helsinki.
Museum Location
The building is located in the central part of the city in a park known as Matthias Lehto. Address of the National Museum of Finland: 34 Helsinki, Mannerheimintie. You can walk from the train station, moving right to Mannerheim Avenue, then right again. The museum can be reached in ten minutes with a calm step.
If you are planning a trip to the museum from the cathedral, you should take the tram number 4 and get off at the Kansallismuseo stop.
When and at what hours can I see the exhibits
Opening hours of the National Museum of Finland: Tuesday - Sunday, expositions are available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Entrance fee: an adult ticket costs ten euros, for pensioners - seven euros, for minors admission is free. It is also worth noting that on Fridays from four in the evening, everyone will get to know more about the history of Finland: admission to the museum is free.
Why the museum is interesting for children
The National Museum of Finland will be interesting to visit not only for adults, but also for children. The most exciting part for them is called the Vintti Workshop. In order to find her, you should go up to the third floor of the museum building. It is here that the cognitive-gaming center works, where young tourists in a playful way get acquainted with the culture and history of the northern country and for a while turn into its inhabitants. Here, children are given the opportunity to do weaving or carpentry, turn into a store clerk, a fisherman or a coachman, and even solve real state problems.
Children are much more interested in independently exploring and studying the various tools that the Finns used in the old days, than listening to ready-made explanations.
The museum also has a hall especially loved by young tourists, which is dedicated to the traditions of the celebration of Christmas. Here, little travelers learn that in Finland, Joulupukki brings gifts to children, and his wife Muori prepares rice porridge with almonds for the holiday and bakes Christmas stars.
After fascinating tours of the museum, you can go with the children to a huge park and admire the Teelenlahti Gulf, located next to the museum. This place in the capital is considered one of the best for walking with children.
Advice before visiting the museum
If you decide to go on an excursion to the National Museum of Finland, we strongly recommend taking a map of the halls at the box office, with their detailed location and a brief description. Then you can’t get lost in the building, because its layout is rather confusing.