Kollaa ja Simo Häyhä -museo

About the museum

The Kollaa ja Simo Häyhä -museo is located in the Sairastupa of the historic reserve barracks area at Miettilä in Rautjärvi, which was built in 1881–1883 for the use of the Finnish 8th Viipuri Sharpshooter Battalion and its 31st Rautjärvi reserve company. The residences of the company commander and the sergeant major, the equipment store and the food cellar have also survived in the area. The actual barracks building is gone: in its place a Civil Guard building was erected, which was destroyed at the start of the Continuation War.

The main exhibition on the lower floor is the Simo Häyhä room, which presents the life of the most famous figure of the Winter War through farming, hunting and the work of a sniper. Original objects of Simo's and pictures from his album are on display. The second room on the lower floor presents the personal histories of the men of Rautjärvi in the Winter War, and especially in the battles of Kollaa; the objects come from veterans and their families.

The upstairs exhibition rooms are devoted to the battle history of Kollaa, with photographs and maps; the most striking image is a panorama of the Kollaa river terrain during the Continuation War. Outside and in the exhibition hall there are field guns and other equipment, including a Soviet 45-millimetre anti-tank gun captured as war booty. The Rautjärvi local branch of the Lotta Svärd is presented in the museum and in the Komendantti building at Kasarminkangas.

Highlights

• Simo Häyhä room with his original objects and photographs
• The battle history of Kollaa in photographs and maps
• Panorama of the Kollaa river terrain from the Continuation War
• Field guns and other equipment in the exhibition hall and outdoors
• Rautjärvi's Lottas on display in the Komendantti building

Permanent exhibitions

• Simo Häyhä -huone – The main exhibition presents Simo Häyhä's life as a farmer, hunter and sniper, with original objects and photographs.
• Kollaan taisteluhistoria – The upstairs exhibition presents the battles of Kollaa with photographs and maps.

Operated by

Kollaa ja Simo Häyhä -museon tukiyhdistys ry

Visitors per year

approx. 7,700 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for war veterans, Lottas and crisis management veterans (the card must be shown), conscripts in military uniform, staff of the Defence Forces and the Border Guard in uniform, and the leaders and assistants of booked groups. The Museokortti is not in use. Cash and the most common payment cards are accepted; invoicing is possible for groups.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 lower-floor exhibition is reached via a new disabled-access lift, but the upper floor can only be reached by narrow and rather steep stairs dating from the 1880s.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Rautjärvi can be reached quickly by car along main road 6; the journey from Helsinki takes about three hours by car. From the direction of Helsinki, turn off main road 6 onto road 3991 (road sign Rautjärvi kko, i.e. the church village); after passing the church it is still about 5 kilometres. From the direction of Joensuu, turn onto road 3991 at the Miettilä junction (13 km). Large buses should approach the area via the Komendantti junction or the Pien-Miettiläntie.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Hannu Narsakka's book Tulimyrsky Kollaalla (Firestorm at Kollaa) can be bought at the museum. The café of the Kasarminkankaan Kulttuuriyhdistys (Kasarminkangas Cultural Association) operates in the area in connection with events.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit