Meteoria Söderfjärden
Visitor centre in the middle of the Söderfjärden meteorite crater in Sundom, Vaasa, with exhibitions, an observatory and a bird tower.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Meteoria is a visitor centre in the middle of the Söderfjärden meteorite crater in Sundom, Vaasa. More than 520 million years ago a meteorite struck here and formed a crater about six kilometres wide, one of some 200 known on Earth. Today the crater is a drained farmland area, Finland's most important crane stopover site, and a Natura 2000 area.
The visitor centre has been housed since 2008 in an old ria (traditional barn) out on the plain. The exhibition tells the story of the site, from the meteorite impact through land uplift and the Stone Age to the drainage and the "realm of the barns" (ladornas rike). A multimedia programme, farming objects, Stone Age finds and an exhibition on meteorites are part of the whole, as is TellusTimeline, a walk through time on a balance beam from the origin of the Earth to the age of humans.
On the site there is also an astronomical observatory run by the astronomy association Vasa Andromeda, a bird tower and outdoor exhibitions that are always open. The centre is run by the Meteoria section of the Sundom village association and holds the Sustainable Travel Finland certificate.
Highlights
- Exhibition on the meteorite impact more than 520 million years ago
- TellusTimeline – a walk through time from the origin of the Earth
- Astronomical observatory
- Bird tower and outdoor exhibitions, open at all times
- Guided tour included in admission
Permanent exhibitions
- Söderfjärdens historia – Multimedia presentation and objects tell of the meteorite impact, land uplift, the Stone Age and the history of farming.
- TellusTimeline – A walk through time on a balance beam from the origin of the Earth to the present day.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Sundom byaförening (Meteoria-sektionen)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7Pensioners |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 6 · Children and young people aged 7–17. |
| Students & apprentices | €5 |
| Groups (11+ people) | €8 per personGroups over 20 people €8 per person; 16–20 people €8.50; 11–15 people €9; minimum fee for small groups €90. |
| School group with teacher, up to 30 people | €60 |
| Guided tour at the pumping station, the windmill or Öjberget (per person, at least €80 per group) | €8 |
The price includes a guided tour. Visitors who arrive by bicycle or on foot receive a €2 discount. Overnight stays with a motorhome or caravan on the site cost €10 per night.
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
Partly accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus trips from Vaasa to Sundom stop at stops in the village; from there it is a 2–3 km walk across the crater.
By car
Parking available
Spacious car parking at Meteoria. Otherwise there is a parking ban at Söderfjärden.
From Vaasa market square it is 12 km by cycle path to Meteoria. Access roads for cars are Diskviksvägen and Marenvägen.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Coffee, juice and pastries (including the crater bun, kraterbulle) are sold; coffee is served on request. The shop sells a book, a cap, fridge magnets and postcards.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The guided tour is included in admission; group visits are booked online or via Visit Vaasa. On request, guided tours can also be arranged at the Söderfjärden pumping station, the Södersund windmill and the Öjberget nature trail. |
