Sotamuseo

About the museum

The Sotamuseo (Military History Museum) was founded on 25 November 1929 and opened to the public on 18 October 1930 in Kruunuhaka, at Liisankatu 1. Its collections were based on, among other things, material from the 1908 centenary exhibition of the Finnish War, donations from the Kansallismuseo (National Museum of Finland) in 1918–1919 and the Sota-arkisto (War Archive) founded in 1918. In January 1933, by order of the Ministry of Defence, the museum moved to the Carpelan bastion in Suomenlinna, where it opened on 11 June 1933.

During the wars operations were interrupted, and objects were kept in various parts of the country. After the war the museum was given premises in Kruunuhaka, and under its umbrella the Rannikkotykistömuseo (Coastal Artillery Museum) and the Laivastomuseo (Naval Museum) also operated. The submarine Vesikko was opened to the public as a museum in July 1973, and it has become the museum’s most popular attraction. The Suomenlinnan Maneesi (Suomenlinna Manège), which had been used as a warehouse since 1974, was renovated and opened to the public on 1 June 1989. The premises in Kruunuhaka had to be abandoned in the 2010s because of mould.

Today the museum’s exhibitions are in Suomenlinna. The Manège exhibitions tell of the wars of Finland’s independence era, including the Civil War of 1918, the Winter War, the Continuation War and the Lapland War. The Artillery Manège displays Finnish front-line art and an exhibition on soldiers’ everyday life in war and peace. The museum’s collections are at Vantaa, in connection with the collection centre of the Museovirasto (Finnish Heritage Agency).

Highlights

• Manège exhibitions on the wars of Finland’s independence era
• Front-line art and soldiers’ everyday life in the Artillery Manège
• The submarine Vesikko in Suomenlinna
• Guided Suomi sodassa (Finland at War) tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Sotamuseon Maneesi – The Manège exhibitions tell of the wars of Finland’s independence era, from the Civil War of 1918 to the Winter War, the Continuation War and the Lapland War.
• Tykistömaneesi – The Artillery Manège displays Finnish front-line art and an exhibition on soldiers’ lives in war and peace.

Founded

1929

Operated by

Puolustusvoimat, Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu

Director

Harri Huusko

Visitors per year

approx. 66,430

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum is located on Iso Mustasaari (Greater Mustasaari) in Suomenlinna, at the addresses Suomenlinna C 77 and C 81.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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