Rauman merimuseo

About the museum

The Rauman merimuseo opened to the public on 11 June 2004. Its collections go back to the Rauma Museum founded in 1891, where objects related to seafaring began to be collected. A maritime museum for Rauma was planned as early as the 1920s, when the frigate Osmo was proposed as a museum ship, but the project was lost during the war. A later plan, which included the present building, failed for lack of funding in 1971.

The Rauman merimuseoyhdistys (Rauma Maritime Museum Association) was founded in the early 1980s, and the Raumanmeren Merimuseosäätiö (Raumanmeri Maritime Museum Foundation) received its operating licence in 1999. The foundation maintains the museum. The museum operates in the former building of Rauma's maritime school on Kalliokatu; the building is still owned by the City of Rauma. Volunteers helped convert the former youth centre into a modern museum.

The main exhibition deals with the maritime heritage of the region: the age of sailing ships, the everyday life of seafarers, the history of nautical education in the former maritime school, and Rauma's shipbuilding, which has been practised for at least five centuries. The Raumanmeri room tells of the protection of the sea and the history of plastic. In June 2026 a new part of the main exhibition, Rakennettu Raumalla – Made in Rauma, was opened.

Highlights

• The age of sailing ships and the everyday life of seafarers
• History of nautical education in the former maritime school
• Rakennettu Raumalla – Made in Rauma exhibition on shipbuilding
• Navigation simulator Jenny II
• Raumanmeri room: protection of the sea and the history of plastic
• Kipparinpuisto play park next to the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Päänäyttely – The main exhibition tells of the age of sailing ships, the life of seafarers, the history of nautical education and Rauma's shipbuilding.
• Rakennettu Raumalla – Made in Rauma – The new part of the main exhibition deals with Rauma's shipbuilding, which has been practised for at least five centuries.
• Raumanmeri-huone – The room deals with the protection of the sea and the history of plastic, since plastic is the most common litter in the sea.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Raumanmeren Merimuseosäätiö

Admission & discounts

Museokortti is accepted. Tickets can be bought in the online shop or at the museum's ticket desk, also as gifts; ePassi is also accepted as a means of payment.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

The main entrance has a step over one metre high, which can only be crossed by stairs; there is no ramp or lift, and the foyer also has stairs. Both sides of the outdoor steps have handrails. The second floor can only be reached by stairs, and the museum's tower carries a risk of falling. The reception desk is 1050 mm high and there is no space for the legs underneath. The toilets are not accessible: one is on the ground floor to the left of the reception and the other is on the second floor. The routes have raised thresholds of about 50 mm, with good contrast. The foyer and exhibition spaces have seating. There is no induction loop. Some exhibition texts are small, and some texts can be read online; the Majakka guide app offers archive material and articles. The Vessapassi (toilet pass) is accepted. Disabled parking is in the museum yard.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Visitors on the green route find places where children can try things out, touch, draw, make and play. The museum has the navigation simulator Jenny II, a ship's doll's house (for under-3s with an adult) and photo orienteering cards for loan. Small prams can be stored on the foyer hooks if there is space; at the entrance there are two steps, and in the exhibitions there are thresholds. A folding changing table is in the larger toilet on the ground floor. Next to the museum is the maritime-themed Kipparinpuisto play park, and in summer the neighbouring Liikennepuisto has bicycles, pedal cars and go-karts with guided activity.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in central Rauma, about 600 m from the town hall towards the harbour.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop is located in the foyer. The museum also offers the rental of meeting and party rooms, as well as catering.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Meeting and party rooms, catering and meeting packages; see the museum's website.

Plan your visit