Ratsuväkimuseo
Ratsuväkimuseo tells the story of Finnish cavalry from the 1500s to the present day, in the oldest fortress building of Lappeenranta.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Ratsuväkimuseo is located in the oldest building in Lappeenranta, completed in 1772 as the guardhouse of the fortress, beside the Vyborg Gate. The stone building has been a museum since 1973. It was renovated in 2018–2019, when the exhibition on the history of the cavalry was renewed and the building’s historical layers were brought back into view.
The exhibition Hakkapeliitoista hurmahousuihin (From Hakkapeliitta to Hurmahousut) presents the stages of Finnish cavalry from the 1500s to the present day and gives an account of cavalry life over the centuries. The exhibition emphasises storytelling and displays objects related to cavalry and horses from the times of war and peace. It also explains why Lappeenranta is a cavalry city.
A museum shop operates alongside the museum. For children and families there are self-guided tasks, such as the horse quiz (hevosvisa) and a picture orienteering (kuvasuunnistus).
Highlights
- Hakkapeliitoista hurmahousuihin exhibition on the history of cavalry
- Lappeenranta’s oldest building, from 1772
- Cavalry and horse objects from the times of war and peace
- Horse quiz and picture orienteering for children
Permanent exhibition
- Hakkapeliitoista hurmahousuihin – Ratsuväkielämää vuosisatojen ajan – The exhibition presents the stages of Finnish cavalry from the 1500s to the present day and explains why Lappeenranta is a cavalry city.
- Founded
- 1973
- Operated by
- Lappeenrannan museot (Lappeenrannan kaupunki)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Pensioners, students, unemployed people and groups of at least 10 people |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Under 18s enter free. |
| Seniors | €8Pensioners |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A personal assistant always enters free with the person they assist; the same applies to interpreters. The site accepts the EU Disability Card. |
| Students & apprentices | €8Students; the same price applies to unemployed people. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €8 per personGroup of at least 10 people. |
| Joint ticket for the fortress museums | €15Covers Etelä-Karjalan museo, the Lappeenranta Art Museum and Ratsuväkimuseo; €10 for concession groups. |
| Peek into the exhibition (school and student groups) | €30Duration 20–30 minutes, maximum 25 people. Admission fees are charged in addition. |
| Exhibition guided tour (group) | €60Duration 30–45 minutes; at Etelä-Karjalan museo and the art museum maximum 25 people, at Ratsuväkimuseo and the Wolkoff house museum maximum 15. Admission fees are charged in addition. |
| Theme guided tour (group) | €80Duration 45–60 minutes, maximum 25 people. Admission fees are charged in addition. |
In addition to Ratsuväkimuseo ticket, the joint ticket for the fortress museums is available. The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is valid, and admission is free for holders of the Kaikukortti, Nuorisokortti, ICOM-kortti, MAL-kortti, Press-kortti and SPR-piristäjä-kortti. Ticket sales end 15 minutes before closing time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is not step-free. There are accessible parking spaces nearby, and the museum has an induction loop. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum has the Hevosvisa (horse quiz) for all ages, and the Kavionjäljissä picture orienteering, which can be done independently with a child and an adult; the task is available from the museum ticket desk.
Getting there & parking
By car
- Accessible parking
The museum is in the Lappeenranta Fortress, beside the Vyborg Gate. There are accessible parking spaces nearby.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum shop serves visitors during museum opening hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours are booked via the customer service email address. In Ratsuväkimuseo the maximum group size for a guided tour is 15 people. |
