Ehrensvärd-museo
A museum in the former commandant’s house of Suomenlinna, presenting an 18th-century noble residence and the time of the fortress’s founder Augustin Ehrensvärd.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ehrensvärd-museo is located at the edge of Isonpiha (the Great Courtyard) in Suomenlinna, in the old commandant’s house. The first resident of the building was the founder of the fortress, Augustin Ehrensvärd (1710–1772). The house is a good example of how living and defence were combined under one roof: the side wings of the building also served as bastions of the fortress, and rooms led directly onto the bastion terraces. In an emergency, the windows of the dining room and the bedroom alcove could be used as embrasures to defend the fortress’s main entrance.
The house was used as the commandant’s residence and official residence until 1855, when it lost its entire south wing in the bombardment during the Crimean War. In 1927 the Ehrensvärd-seura (Ehrensvärd Society) proposed setting up a museum in the rooms where Ehrensvärd had lived, and the museum opened in 1930.
The interior of the museum depicts an 18th-century residence. The collection includes paintings, furniture, weapons and ship models of vessels of the Swedish archipelago fleet. The museum is on the first floor of the building, and there is no lift.
Highlights
- Interior of an 18th-century noble residence in the commandant’s house
- Paintings, furniture and weapons from the Swedish period
- Ship models of vessels of the Swedish archipelago fleet
- Free digital guide via QR code in 28 languages
- Themed tours about noble family life and the food culture of 18th-century Viapori
Permanent exhibition
- Komendantintalon 1700-luvun sisustus – The museum rooms present an 18th-century noble residence with paintings, furniture, weapons and ship models of the Swedish archipelago fleet.
- Founded
- 1930
- Operated by
- Ehrensvärd-seura ry
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6students and pensioners |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 6 · Ages 7–17: €4. |
| Seniors | €6 |
| Students & apprentices | €6 |
| Groups | –Groups are asked to announce their arrival in advance. |
Admission is free with the Helsinki Card, the Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) and the guided walking tour ticket of Suomenlinna. There is no entrance fee for Suomenlinna itself, but a ferry or water bus ticket is needed. Tickets can be bought online in advance, but advance booking is not required.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on the first floor of the building, and there is no lift.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Suomenlinna (lautta)
The HSL ferry runs from Kauppatori (Market Square) to Suomenlinna’s main pier all year round; the crossing takes about 15 minutes. From early May to the end of September a water bus also operates. Tram lines 2 (Kauppatori stop), 4 and 5 (Ritarihuone) and 7 (Senaatintori) stop near the Market Square.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is very little parking space in the Kauppatori area, so visitors are advised to come by public transport, on foot or by bicycle.
The museum is located at the edge of Isonpiha in Suomenlinna, in the commandant’s house (B 40).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | The museum has a free digital guide, which is opened with a QR code: text, audio and images in 28 languages. In summer, themed tours are held, for example about the life of the nobility and the food culture of 18th-century Viapori. Tickets are sold in the online shop of Suomenlinna Tours. |
