Merimiehenkotimuseo
A small museum on Pikisaari, housed in Oulu’s oldest surviving wooden house, tells the story of Oulu’s seafarers and their families.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Merimiehenkotimuseo is a small museum on Pikisaari island, just off the Oulu city centre. It tells of Oulu’s seafaring, its seamen and their families, and of the history of the museum building, Matila House, and of Pikisaari.
Matila House is the oldest surviving wooden house in Oulu. It was built in 1737–1739 as a customs post on the border between Oulu and Liminka, and was later moved to Heinäpää, to its present address at Kirkkokatu 38. Various owners lived in the house, and the name of the seaman Isak Matilainen’s family lives on in the house’s name. The City of Oulu bought the plot in 1965; the house was dismantled and moved to Pikisaari in 1983. The museum opened in the house in 1989.
Pikisaari has gone through many phases: from a fishermen’s islet, through a pitch-burning plant and shipyards, to an industrial island with a steam sawmill, a machine works and a wool mill. Today the island is an idyllic wooden-house district, and the Merimiehenkotimuseo serves as a gateway to its past.
Highlights
- Oulu’s oldest surviving wooden house (1737–1739)
- Permanent exhibition on the lives of Oulu’s seamen
- Free admission
- Idyllic Pikisaari, within walking distance of the city centre
- Museum shop
Permanent exhibition
- Merimiehenkotimuseon perusnäyttely – The exhibition tells of the lives of Oulu’s seamen and of the history of Matila House and Pikisaari.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Oulun kaupunki (Oulun museo- ja tiedekeskus)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,839
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- 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 barrier-free entrance is at the back of the house. The museum has no public toilet, but visitors can use the staff toilets with a Vessapassi.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The nearest stops are Raatti E, Raatti P, Pekuri E and Kaupungintalo P.
By car
Free parking
The nearest car parks are along Pikisaarentie a little beyond the museum. On the neighbouring Raatinsaari island there is plenty of free parking in several car parks.
Pikisaari can be reached via three bridges, two of which are intended for light traffic; walking is the most convenient way. From the railway station, go through the Oulu Theatre area and past the main library via the light-traffic bridge. By car, you arrive via the Merikoski bridges and Raatinsaari.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
In summer the museum shop sells, among other things, tar and soap, and at Christmas time festive products. There is no public toilet.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
Up to 12 guests.
The museum can be booked for small celebrations and meetings; the large table in the tupa (main room) has room for 12 people.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits and group tours are booked in advance all year round; the group size for guided tours is at most 15 people. The guided tour costs €65 on weekdays and €90 on Saturdays; the price is higher in the evenings and on Sundays. The guided exhibition tour for school groups during opening hours costs €40. |
