Tornionlaakson museo

About the museum

The Tornionlaakso Museum was founded in June 1914 together with the Tornion Kotiseutuseura (Tornio Local Heritage Society). It was the northernmost museum in Finland and the first museum founded in Lapland. The museum moved to its present building in 1962, and a new wing was completed in 1982. The City of Tornio took over ownership of the museum in 1975. From 1981 the museum was the Länsipohjan maakuntamuseo (Western Lapland Provincial Museum); at the beginning of the 2000s it was given the name Tornionlaakson maakuntamuseo, and since the beginning of 2020 it has been a regional responsibility museum under its present name.

The museum was renovated in 2012–2013, and the new basic exhibition Kohtaamisia rajalla (Encounters at the Border) opened in 2014 on the occasion of the museum's centenary. Since 2014 the museum has also presented the history of the Swedish side of the valley in cooperation with the City of Haparanda; therefore the museum is maintained jointly by Tornio and Haparanda.

The first part of the basic exhibition, Yhteinen jokilaaksomme (Our Common River Valley), deals with, among other things, the beginnings of settlement, archaeology, traditional livelihoods, the effects of the wars, the significance of the border, as well as food culture, languages and dialects. The second part, Kaupunkimme rajalla (Our Town at the Border), tells of the development, everyday life and industry of Tornio and Haparanda, as well as more recent phenomena such as joppaus (cross-border shopping trips) and tourism. The exhibition can also be heard with a Meänkieli audio guide.

Highlights

• Basic exhibition Kohtaamisia rajalla (Encounters at the Border)
• A museum shared by Tornio and Haparanda
• Exhibition texts in Finnish, Swedish, English and Meänkieli
• Meänkieli audio guide

Permanent exhibition

• Kohtaamisia rajalla – The basic exhibition presents the distinctive history of the Tornio River valley in two parts: Yhteinen jokilaaksomme (Our Common River Valley) and Kaupunkimme rajalla (Our Town at the Border).

Founded

1914

Operated by

Tornion kaupunki ja Haaparannan kaupunki

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Wednesdays 15:00–18:00 and on International Museum Day, 18 May.

Museokortti, Kaikukortti, ePassi, Smartum, the TYKY voucher and the Virike voucher are accepted as means of payment; bank cards are also accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 museum is accessible and suitable for visitors with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in central Tornio next to the library and the Aineen taidemuseo (Aine Art Museum), close to the border.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells museum products.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Plan your visit