Tiedemuseo Liekki

About the museum

Tiedemuseo Liekki (Liekki Science Museum), formerly the Helsingin yliopistomuseo (University of Helsinki Museum), was formed in 2003 by merging several museums operating within the university. Later the Observatorio and the traditional Piirustussali (Drawing Hall) were also attached to the museum. The university played a major role in the birth of the whole Finnish museum system: the origins of the collections can be traced back to the Royal Academy of Turku in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the Kansallismuseo (National Museum of Finland) was founded in 1893, partly on the basis of the university’s historical and ethnographic museum.

From the 1850s the university’s collections were open to the public once a week in the main building in Helsinki. In the present exhibition centre, at the corner of Fabianinkatu and Yliopistonkatu, the core exhibition Tieteen palo (The Fire of Science) opened in autumn 2023. It tells of the people of the University of Helsinki, its disciplines and the places where science is made.

The exhibition examines how the university has influenced Finland’s development and how changes in society are reflected in the university’s history. For a long time the university served only a small part of the population, and in the 20th century it gradually became a place of learning for everyone. The exhibition centre also has a museum shop and one changing exhibition at a time.

Highlights

• Tieteen palo (The Fire of Science), the core exhibition on the history of the University of Helsinki
• Exhibition centre in the main building of the university, near Senate Square
• Kohokohdat (Highlights) and Tieteen palo guided tours in Finnish, Swedish and English
• Getting to know the university’s art collection and the tradition of the Drawing Hall

Permanent exhibition

• Tieteen palo – The core exhibition tells of the people of the University of Helsinki, its disciplines and the places where science is made, as well as the shared story of the university and Finland.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Helsingin yliopisto

Director

Miia-Leena Tiili

Admission & discounts

The Museokortti is accepted. Admission is free for University of Helsinki staff, students and other members of the university.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 step-free entrance is on the Fabianinkatu side. When the main doors are closed on Saturdays, access is through the gateway of Yliopistonkatu 2.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The exhibition centre is on the ground floor of the main building of the University of Helsinki, at the corner of Yliopistonkatu and Fabianinkatu. When the main doors are closed on Saturdays, the entrance is through the gateway of Yliopistonkatu 2.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The exhibition centre has a museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit