Museo Militaria

About the museum

Museo Militaria began operating on 1 January 2013, when three branch museums of the Army were merged into one stronger military history museum. The background was the Defence Forces' idea of developing military museum activities by combining small branch museums into larger units. The collections of the artillery museum in Hämeenlinna, the Miehikkälä pioneer museum and the Riihimäki signals museum were transferred to the new museum, which was placed in the Linnankasarmi (Castle Barracks) in Hämeenlinna.

The artillery museum had been opened to the public at Niinisalo in Kankaanpää in 1977, and it was moved to Hämeenlinna in 1997. The roots of the pioneer museum lie in Koria in 1945, and the renewed museum opened in Miehikkälä in 2007. The signals museum operated in Riihimäki, and its first parts were opened to the public in 1974.

The museum is run by the Suomen Tykistö-, Pioneeri- ja Viestimuseo ry (Finnish Artillery, Pioneer and Signals Museum Association), and it is a professional museum eligible for state subsidies. It operates in a red-brick barracks building next to Häme Castle. The basic exhibition fills three floors and tells the story of Finnish military history from the Middle Ages to the present day from the perspective of the branches of arms. The museum also has an outdoor exhibition area and changing exhibitions.

Highlights

• Three-storey basic exhibition from the Middle Ages to the present day
• Pro Patria hall presenting decorations of honour
• Salattua room (the Secret Room) with an original Enigma cipher machine
• Jääkäri section and section on Mannerheim
• Outdoor exhibition area and museum café

Permanent exhibitions

• Perusnäyttely – The three-storey exhibition runs from the Middle Ages through Finland's independence, the wars and the post-war period, following the development of the artillery, pioneer and signals branches.
• Ulkonäyttelyalue – Military equipment is displayed in the museum's outdoor area, which can be reached step-free through the gate.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Suomen Tykistö-, Pioneeri- ja Viestimuseo ry

Admission & discounts

The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted. Veterans of our wars, conscripts in military dress and Defence Forces staff enter the exhibition free of charge. Guided tours: general guided tour of 1 hour €55 and of 1.5 hours €80, and an English-language general guided tour €60, in addition to the admission tickets.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 museum is largely accessible. The exhibition building has a lift, and the outdoor exhibition area can be reached step-free through the gate, which is opened at the ticket sales. Staff help visitors with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The children's tour suits about 3–12-year-olds and lasts 45 minutes. In the signals workshop children try out signalling technology, recommended from about 5 years of age. For schoolchildren there is also a museum orienteering course and the Kasarmiseikkailu (Barracks Adventure).

Getting there & parking

To reach the museum, drive from Tampereentie along Vanhankaupunginkatu and turn right at the roundabout. It is 1.5 km from the bus station and 2 km from the railway station; from the centre it is about a 15-minute walk, and from Häme Castle a few minutes. There are parking-disc spaces along Tampereentie, from which the museum is about 700 m away.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The museum café serves coffee, tea, cold drinks and pastries during opening hours. The museum shop sells military history literature and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Catering can be ordered for the museum's meeting and party rooms.

Plan your visit