Median museo ja arkisto Merkki
Merkki is the museum and archive of the Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö (Helsingin Sanomat Foundation). Its free exhibition deals with media, journalism and freedom of speech.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The predecessor of Merkki, the Päivälehti archive, began operating in the 1990s, and the Päivälehti museum was founded in 2001. The predecessor institutions served thousands of researchers and more than one million museum visitors, and they produced almost one hundred thematic exhibitions.
The renewed museum and archive Merkki opened to the public on 2 December 2023. It is located in the former premises of Helsingin Sanomat at the corner of Ludviginkatu and Korkeavuorenkatu in the Kaartinkaupunki district, and it revives Ludda, the old newspaper street. The museum is run by the Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö.
Merkki describes itself as a museum and archive of media, news, literacy and freedom of speech. The archive has research workstations and an electronic archive.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on free media, journalism and freedom of speech
- Exhibition texts in Finnish, Swedish, English and several other languages
- The Printing Cellar, which presents traditional letterpress printing
- Free admission
- Guided tours and workshops for groups
Permanent exhibitions
- Merkin perusnäyttely – The exhibition deals with media, communication, and freedom of speech and its responsibilities. On display are, among other things, a scale model of the Päivälehti newsroom, a news photo wall and a listening area. The exhibition texts are available in several languages.
- Painokellari – The exhibition in the lower level presents traditional letterpress printing.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|
Admission and the services offered to groups are free of charge. Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted and can be purchased at the museum.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The exhibition area is barrier-free. The barrier-free entrance is on the Korkeavuorenkatu side, which has a ramp, a handrail and an electric door-opening button. The main entrance on Ludviginkatu has several steps without a handrail. The Printing Cellar can be reached by a spiral staircase or by a barrier-free lift. Information, the cloakroom and the toilets are on the ground floor; one of the three toilets is barrier-free. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Using public transport is recommended; routes can be found in the HSL journey planner.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no parking for visitors on site.
The museum’s street address is Ludviginkatu 2–4; the postal address is Korkeavuorenkatu 28, first floor.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free guided tours and workshops are offered for groups. The Merkki media school is aimed at schools. |
