Vanha Kaivos
A mining museum on the former copper mine area of Outokumpu, with a museum tunnel, a stone exhibition, a concentrator and the Lasten Kaivos play park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Outokumpu ore was discovered in 1910, and production mining began in 1913. Mining operations ended in 1989. The Outokummun kaivosmuseo (Outokumpu Mining Museum) was founded in 1982 to preserve the mine's heritage, and the mine area is now known as Vanha Kaivos (Old Mine).
The permanent exhibition presents the origin of ore and ore prospecting, the discovery of the Outokumpu ore, and the history and present day of mining work. In the mine tunnel visitors get to know a miner's working day under real mining conditions, and large machines are on display in the red-brick repair workshop next to the mine railway. The Rinnerikastamo (hillside concentrator) tells of the stages of the concentration process.
The mine area also includes the mine tower, a crushing plant, the Lasten Kaivos play park and restaurants, among others. The area is a culturally and historically significant milieu of the mining industry, where events are held all year round.
Highlights
- Museum tunnel: a working day in the mine under real conditions
- Maan Aarteet stone exhibition in the mine tunnel
- Maan Alla exhibition on modern mining
- Rinnerikastamo and machine exhibition in the repair workshop
- Lasten Kaivos play park, indoors and outdoors
Permanent exhibitions
- Perusnäyttely – The exhibition tells of the formation of ore and ore prospecting, the discovery of the Outokumpu ore, and the history and present day of mining work.
- Museotunneli – työpäivä kaivoksessa – The mine tunnel presents the stages of a miner's working day under real mining conditions, using mining machines and photographs.
- Maan Aarteet – kivinäyttely – The mine tunnel displays ore, jewellery and gemstones, as well as rare minerals from the Outokumpu area.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Outokummun kaupunki
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7pensioners, students, unemployed people and conscripts |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 2 · Children aged 3–12. |
| Seniors | €7 |
| Students & apprentices | €7 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Guided tours for groups on request, priced according to group rates. |
| Families | €49Summer 2027 area ticket: 2 adults and 2–4 children (aged 3–12). |
| Area ticket, adult (from summer 2027) | €15Includes the mine museum, the museum tunnels, the Lasten Kaivos, the concentrator, the mine tower and the crushing plant. |
| Area ticket, child aged 3–12, pensioner, student, unemployed person, conscript (from summer 2027) | €13 |
| Partial area ticket (e.g. mine tower) | €5 |
| Lasten Kaivos (child aged 3–12) | €5Adults and under-3s free. Summer season pass €10. |
Museum and museum tunnel: adults €8, children aged 3–12 €5, pensioners, students, unemployed people and conscripts €7. Area ticket prices start on 1 June 2027. The Museokortti is valid across the whole area. Smartum and ePassi are also accepted.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €49 · Summer 2027 area ticket: 2 adults and 2–4 children (aged 3–12). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
Lasten Kaivos is an outdoor play area of over 3,000 square metres and an indoor play space of 600 square metres with a mining theme. Lasten Kaivos is open in the summer season.
Getting there & parking
The museum is located in the Vanha Kaivos area of Outokumpu at Tornikatu 1.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
The area has the restaurants Vanha Paja and Takomo, and a waffle café.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum tunnel is at +8 °C, so warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Guided tours for groups on request; group bookings through the sales service at tel. +358 44 755 9223 or myynti@vanhakaivos.com. |
