Hankoniemen Rintamamuseo

About the museum

The Hankoniemen Rintamamuseo is located in Lappohja, at a site through which the border between Finland and the Soviet Union ran in 1940–1941. The museum tells of the war events of 1939–1945 and focuses on the period of the Hanko Peninsula lease after the Winter War, as well as on the early phase of the Continuation War on the Hanko front.

Operations began in 1981, when local war veterans built the Kultainen rauha memorial cairn (Golden Peace) on the wartime front sector. The front museum opened on the same site in 1987. Since 2016 the museum has been maintained by the Länsi-Uudenmaan sotahistoriallinen yhdistys (West Uusimaa Military History Association).

The museum was extended in 2024 with a new Perinnekeskus building, which presents military history exhibitions and maintains the traditions of veterans of our wars. The museum area also has a gun hall, military equipment, trenches and firing positions, and a Sotapolku (War Trail) of more than one kilometre, which continues onto the former Soviet side.

Highlights

• The permanent exhibition Hanko vieraissa käsissä
• The Hanko home of 1939 and 1942 in the Perinnekeskus
• Gun hall with ten wartime guns
• Outdoor area with guns, a tank, trenches and the Kultainen rauha memorial cairn
• The Sotapolku (War Trail), more than one kilometre long
• Café Kanttiini Korsukukka

Permanent exhibitions

• Hanko vieraissa käsissä – The permanent exhibition gives a comprehensive overview of the events of 1939–1941, when the Hanko Peninsula was of great strategic importance to Finland.
• Perinnekeskuksen pysyvä näyttely – A Hanko home before the war in 1939 and as a home damaged by the war in 1942, and a cinema room showing the documentary Vi minns kriget.
• Tykkihalli – Ten guns used during the Winter War and the Continuation War.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Länsi-Uudenmaan sotahistoriallinen yhdistys

Admission & discounts

The same ticket is valid for either the Rintamamuseo or the Bunkkerimuseo Irma. Museokortti is accepted. Free admission also applies to war veterans of our wars and their widows, conscripts in uniform, ICOM members, press card holders and guides belonging to the Finnish Guides Association.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 step-free. Disabled parking is near the entrance, and there is a step-free toilet close to the entrance. The terrain is fairly flat, and the exhibition areas have seating; a folding chair can be borrowed from the entrance. The Bunkkerimuseo Irma is not step-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

There is an obstacle course for children in the pine forest. The museum has a changing room, and the area is easy to reach with pushchairs. Under-17s enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located along Hankoniementie in Lappohja.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Kanttiini Korsukukka is open from April to October during museum opening hours: coffee, tea, savoury and sweet food, soft drinks and ice cream; for groups by arrangement. Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit