Loviisan kaupunginmuseo

About the museum

The Loviisan kaupunginmuseo (Loviisa town museum) was founded in 1904. It has operated in four different places in central Loviisa, and it has been in its present location, the Komendantintalo, since 1962. The town of Loviisa was founded in 1745, and the museum's collections represent local urban culture from the mid-18th century onwards.

The museum operates in a stone building from 1755, which was originally built as the house of the Swedish army's fortress brigade. Later, in the 19th century, Russian engineers were housed in the building. The building received its name, Komendantintalo (Commandant's House), in the late 19th century, when the title of the garrison's head changed to komendantti (commandant). The house has also served as a Finnish-language elementary school, a weaving school and a maritime school.

The collections represent subjects important to Loviisa: seafaring, crafts, especially pewter casting and silversmithing, and locally made Gustavian furniture. There are also objects and memorabilia from the 19th-century spa era and relating to the composer Jean Sibelius. Following municipal mergers, objects of peasant and craft culture from the Viirilä local heritage museum and the collection of the Strömfors ironworks forge museum have been added to the collections.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition with Gustavian furniture and silver and pewter objects
• Pewter caster's workshop on the top floor
• Jean Sibelius's summers in Loviisa and the spa era
• Commandant's garden in the spirit of the 18th and 19th centuries
• Iveruksen arvoitus (Iverus's Riddle), an adventure game

Permanent exhibition

• Museon perusnäyttely – The permanent exhibition shows Gustavian furniture, silver and pewter objects and objects relating to the city's maritime life. It also looks at Jean Sibelius's life in summery Loviisa and the spa era; the top floor has a pewter caster's workshop.

Founded

1904

Operated by

Loviisan kaupunki

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission to the museum is free on Tuesdays.

The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted. Admission is also free for teachers preparing to teach, over-18s taking part in a school group visit, press card holders, museum professionals and ICOM card holders. Payment methods are cash, bank card and culture vouchers (ePassi and Edenred).

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 rooms of the permanent exhibition are on the second and third floors of the building, which can be reached by stairs. The changing exhibition space is on the first floor, reached by stairs or a ramp.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

There are two games that can be played while the museum is open. The Iveruksen arvoitus adventure game suits groups of 2–6 people from about 12 years of age upwards, with younger children accompanied by an adult. In the Museohiiret piilosilla (Museum Mice in Hiding) task, children look for mice hidden among the objects. Child and school groups are welcome by arrangement.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in central Loviisa at Puistokatu 2.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells, among other things, ceramics, jewellery, cards and books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit