Suomen lasimuseo
The national glass museum in Riihimäki presents more than 4,000 years of glass history, Finnish glass design and glass art in an old glassworks building.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Suomen lasimuseo was founded in Riihimäki in 1961. The basis of the museum collection was a core collection of about 500 objects gathered by students of the Hämäläinen Student Nation (Hämäläisen osakunta). The museum opened to the public in 1965, and at first it operated in the Allinna building, a manor-style house completed in 1919 in Harjukylä, Riihimäki, designed by architect Oiva Kallio.
The museum moved to its present location in 1980 and opened to the public there in 1981. The exhibitions were designed by Academician Tapio Wirkkala. The museum building was originally built in 1914 as a peat-powder factory for Paloheimo Oy, which Riihimäen lasi Oy converted into a glassworks in 1921. The present museum café is the old horse stable of the glassworks, and the building has about 1,700 square metres of exhibition space.
As the national responsibility museum, its task is to present the history and design of glass, the more than 4,000-year history of glass and the 300-year tradition of Finnish glassmaking. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the changing exhibitions show the best of international and Finnish utility and art glass and design. The museum also has a research library and archive.
Highlights
- More than 4,000 years of glass history and the tradition of Finnish glassmaking
- Permanent exhibition on glassmaking and the glass collection
- Design hall on Finnish glass design
- Exhibitions designed by Tapio Wirkkala in the old glassworks
- Research library and museum café in the old horse stable
Permanent exhibition
- Perusnäyttely – On the ground floor the early stages of glass and glassmaking are presented; on the first floor, the glass collection and Finnish glass design.
- Founded
- 1961
- Operated by
- Riihimäen kaupunki
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8students, pensioners, unemployed people and conscripts |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Under 18s free of charge. |
| Seniors | €8With a pensioner’s card. |
| Students & apprentices | €8With a student card. |
| Groups (21+ people) | €8 per personGroups of more than 20 people; price per person. |
| Guided tour on weekdays (admission fee in addition) | €50 |
| Guided tour at weekends (admission fee in addition) | €60 |
| Guided tour outside opening hours (admission fee in addition) | €80 |
| Guided tours for schoolchildren and day-care groups | €30Under 18s free of charge; the group’s teachers or leaders free of charge. |
Free admission with Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) and Kaikukortti. ePassi and Edenred card payment are accepted as cultural benefits.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is located near the old Riihimäki glassworks (1910–1990).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
The museum café is in the old horse stable of the glassworks. The entrance hall has coat hooks and lockable lockers. The museum shop sells publications on the glass field and glass objects.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Visitors may take photos for personal use, and photos may be published, for example on social media. |
| Good to know | Guided tours hold up to 30 people; guided tour languages are Finnish, Swedish, English and Japanese. Guided tours must be booked at least two weeks before the visit (four weeks for visits outside opening hours), and a fee of 50% of the price is charged for an irrevocable cancellation. |
