Miehikkälän Salpalinja-museo

About the museum

The Miehikkälän Salpalinja-museo is a military history museum founded in 1987, which presents the construction history of the Salpa Line. The Salpa Line was built to secure Finland's eastern border after the Winter War, in 1940–1941 and 1944. The museum area, several hectares in size, was originally built as the defence centre of a reinforced company, and it is one of the most nationally valuable sites of the Salpa Line.

Among the indoor exhibitions, Salpalinja kuvissa (The Salpa Line in Pictures) is the first exhibition in Finland made up solely of photographs from the construction period of the Salpa Line; it contains just over 130 photographs. Few photographs have survived, because the Defence Forces banned photographing the line during its construction. In the accommodation dugout of the outdoor museum area is the exhibition Jalkaväen matkassa (With the Infantry) on the development of Finland's arms industry, and the short film Suomen Salpa – viimeinen este (Finland's Salpa – The Last Obstacle, 15 minutes) explains the reasons for and the significance of building the line.

The outdoor museum area has three guided routes: the audio-guided Korsukierros (Dugout Tour, 600 m), Patikoiden pallokorsuun (Hiking to the Ball Bunker, 1 km) and Linnoittajan luontopolku (Fortifier's Nature Trail, 1.6 km). Along the routes there are, among other things, reinforced concrete bunkers, about 400 metres of restored combat and communication trench, anti-tank and gun emplacements, and a T-34/85 tank. The museum is located along the Salpapolku hiking trail.

Highlights

• Salpalinja kuvissa photo exhibition
• Suomen Salpa – viimeinen este short film
• Extensive fortified outdoor museum area and three routes
• Reinforced concrete bunkers, ball bunker and T-34/85 tank
• For children: lizard hunt and geocache trail

Permanent exhibitions

• Salpalinja kuvissa – The photo exhibition presents images from the construction of the Salpa Line: fortifications, building sites, and the leisure time of the fortifiers and the Lottas.
• Jalkaväen matkassa – The exhibition in the accommodation dugout tells of the development of Finland's arms industry and of the handguns used in the Second World War.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Miehikkälän kunta

Visitors per year

approx. 5,000

Admission & discounts

Prices are stated for 2026 and apply during museum opening hours. The admission ticket includes the indoor exhibitions, the short film, the geocache trail, and the lizard hunt for children or Salpa orienteering. Accepted means of payment are Epassi (culture) and TYKY+. Free admission with an ICOM membership card, a membership card of the museum sector trade union and a press card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

In the exhibition in the museum building and in the café one can move about in a wheelchair, and there is an accessible toilet next to the café. Disabled parking is near the entrance. The outdoor museum area has levelled and gravelled routes, but because of height differences in the terrain there are several steps along the routes, and some dugouts require climbing stairs. On request the museum area can also be explored through a photo slideshow shown indoors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The museum is a family history and nature site. For children there is a lizard hunt in the outdoor area, a geocache trail (a GPS device can be borrowed from the till) and Salpa orienteering for schoolchildren; all are included in the admission ticket.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Miehikkälä near the Vaalimaa border crossing, along trunk road 384 (Virojoki–Taavetti). Distances: Hamina 40 km, Kotka 65 km, Lappeenranta 65 km, Kouvola 90 km, Helsinki 185 km.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The café serves during opening hours, and the museum shop Rasla is next to the café in the main building. There are accommodation and extra services for hikers, and hiking equipment for hire.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Rentable spaces: Salpamaja (80 places), Korsukabinetti (meeting room for 14 people), the museum café (64 places and a 12-seat terrace) and the sauna Motti for booking. Spaces from €40 per hour, sauna €100 per 3 hours.

Plan your visit