Etelä-Karjalan museo

About the museum

Etelä-Karjalan museo operates in the storehouses at the northern end of the Lappeenranta Fortress, which were built as artillery depots in the early 1800s. The museum’s collections are based on the collections of the Lappeenranta City Museum, the Vyborg City Museum and the Käkisalmi Museum, so in addition to present-day South Karelia it also presents and preserves the history of the ceded parishes.

The permanent exhibition Etelä-Karjalan tarina (The Story of South Karelia) takes visitors on a journey through time, from the prehistory of the region to the present day. The exhibition consists of three themes: Saimaa traces the region’s history from the arrival of humans through industrialisation to present-day leisure; Raja (The Border) tells of its location on the border between two realms; and Meijän Etelä-Karjala (Our South Karelia) focuses on the new identity and urbanisation after the wars. On display are, among other things, a Stone Age dwelling, a model of Vyborg from the late 1930s, the terrace of a sauna cabin, and a market stall and bar counter.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum has temporary exhibitions on cultural-historical themes. The museum has a museum shop.

Highlights

• Etelä-Karjalan tarina permanent exhibition, from prehistory to the present
• Model of Vyborg from the late 1930s
• Themes of Saimaa, the border and South Karelia after the wars
• Stone Age dwelling, sauna cabin terrace and market stall
• Location in the storehouses of the Lappeenranta Fortress

Permanent exhibition

• Etelä-Karjalan tarina – The permanent exhibition tells the history of South Karelia from prehistory to the present through three themes: Saimaa, the border, and South Karelia after the wars.

Founded

1963

Operated by

Lappeenrannan museot (Lappeenrannan kaupunki)

Admission & discounts

The joint ticket for the fortress museums covers admission to Etelä-Karjalan museo, Lappeenrannan taidemuseo (Lappeenranta Art Museum) and Ratsuväkimuseo (Cavalry Museum). The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is valid at all venues, and admission is free for holders of the Kaikukortti, Nuorisokortti, ICOM-kortti, MAL-kortti, Press-kortti and SPR Piristäjä-kortti. Teachers enter free for a planning visit before a group visit. Ticket sales end 15 minutes before closing time.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All parts of the building can be reached without stairs. The main entrance is at street level, and the door has a bell to request that it be opened. In the car park there is one accessible parking space near the main entrance; the yard has cobblestones. The service point and the museum have an induction loop, and a rollator can be borrowed. The building has one accessible toilet. There is a defibrillator in the foyer.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The ‘Pieni museohiiri’ (Little Museum Mouse) treasure hunt can be done independently with a child and an adult; clues are available from the museum ticket desk.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Lappeenranta Fortress. The car park has one accessible parking space.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop serves visitors during museum opening hours.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit