Malva
The Malva museum of visual arts in Lahti combines art, design and posters in a former brewery building in the town centre.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Malva was created from the merger of two museums in Lahti. The Lahden taidemuseo (Lahti Art Museum) was founded in 1950 around artworks evacuated from Vyborg, and the Lahden julistemuseo (Lahti Poster Museum) in 1975 to preserve and present graphic design. The museum now operates in Malski, the former brewery property of Mallasjuoma in the centre of Lahti, and it is the Päijät-Häme regional art museum.
Malva’s collections include art, design and poster collections. The museum has interactive and digital changing exhibitions, and on the fifth floor the Juuret (Roots) exhibition presents treasures from the collections and tells the museum’s own history.
Malva belongs to the Lahti museums, which were chosen as Museum of the Year 2025. In 2026 the European Museum Forum awarded Malva the Museum Prize for environmental sustainability.
Highlights
- Juuret (Roots) collection exhibition on art, posters and design
- Interactive and digital changing exhibitions
- Art treasures inherited from the Vyborg art museum
- Poster collection and the design collection of the Lahti museums
- Former brewery property Malski
Permanent exhibition
- Juuret – Aarteita kokoelmista – The collection exhibition presents treasures of art, posters and design, and the early stages of the Lahti Art Museum through works inherited from the Vyborg art museum.
- Founded
- 1950
- Operated by
- Lahden kaupunki (Lahden museot)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €18 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €14pensioners, students, conscripts, unemployed people and groups |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Under-18s enter the museum free. |
| Seniors | €14Pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Personal assistants enter the museum free. |
| Students & apprentices | €14 |
| Groups (16+ people) | €14 per personGroups of more than 15 people. |
| One exhibition | €12 |
| One exhibition (pensioners, students, conscripts, unemployed people, groups) | €10 |
Free admission: Free days in 2026: 19 May, 10 July, 12 September and 1 November.
The price of €18 applies to all exhibitions. Free admission with the Museokortti. Payment methods: ePassi and Edenred Mobiili, and free admission is also possible with a season card borrowed from the Lahti City Library. Tickets can be bought at the ticket desk or in the online shop.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 spaces can be reached by wheelchair, and a wheelchair can be borrowed. An accessible parking space is marked in front of the museum on Päijänteenkatu. Torches and a magnifying glass can be borrowed from customer service. The Ahto work in the Valogalleria (Light Gallery) contains intense sensory experiences.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
All of Malva’s spaces are accessible with prams, and the museum has four baby-changing points. There is a toilet on each floor.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Vesijärvenkatu · 5-min walk
The nearest city bus stops are on Vesijärvenkatu and at the market square. Long-distance buses also stop at the express stops on Vesijärvenkatu, from which it is a walk of about 5 minutes.
By car
Paid parking
The safest parking place is the Lahti market square car park, reached from Rauhankatu. There are some paid roadside spaces on nearby streets; parking can be paid by app (Easy Park, Parkman, eParking.fi, Moovy).
- Accessible parking
From Lahti transport centre to the museum it is about one kilometre, or a 15-minute walk. The nearest city bike station is on Mallaskatu, and bicycle racks are on Päijänteenkatu near Malski’s main doors. There is a drop-off pocket for coaches in front of the entrance.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
The Malski café, bistro and pub (Kahiwa Coffee & Wine, Malski Bistro, Ant Brew) are next door to the museum. The museum shop has lockers.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Venue and guided tour bookings: malva.varaukset@lahti.fi.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is permitted without flash. |
| Good to know | The exhibition halls have conversation guides who explain the contents of the exhibitions. Group visits should be announced in advance to malvamuseo@lahti.fi. Backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, food and drink may not be taken into the exhibition spaces. Pets are not admitted to the museum, but guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome. |
