Vakoilumuseo
The world’s first espionage museum in the Finlayson area presents the history of espionage, its equipment and stories from the Cold War.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Vakoilumuseo (Espionage Museum) opened to the public in 1998, and it is presented as the first museum in the world devoted to espionage. The museum is located in the Finlayson area of Tampere, in the basement of the Media 54 building on the side facing the Tammerkoski rapids.
The basic exhibition tells of international espionage and intelligence. Themes include, among others, a century of eavesdropping, secret writing, cyber espionage, the motives of a spy, changing identity, hiding places and spy cameras, and the Cold War and the KGB. Radios, weapons, night-vision devices and lie-detection equipment are also on display.
Among the objects in the exhibition are a Finnish Kyynel patrol radio, a ground-listening device and a Hell teleprinter from the Second World War. The museum also tells the stories of individual agents and well-known cases, such as those of Richard Sorge and the Enigma cipher machine. During the tour you can try an agent test and visit an interrogation room.
Highlights
- Kyynel patrol radio and other wartime radio equipment
- Ground-listening device and the Hell teleprinter
- Interrogation room and lie detection
- Stories of the Cold War and the KGB
- Agent test and agent school
Permanent exhibition
- Vakoilumuseon perusnäyttely – The basic exhibition covers eavesdropping, secret writing, cyber espionage, the Cold War and lie detection, and presents the tools of espionage and the stories of agents.
- Founded
- 1998
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Pensioners and students |
| Children & teens | €6Ages 6–15: €6 |
| Seniors | €8 |
| Students & apprentices | €8 |
| Agent test | €5 |
| Lie-detection test | €50 |
The Museokortti is accepted as an admission ticket.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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 step-free to enter. Wheelchair users can reach the first floor by lift, which is located behind the glass doors on that floor.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Children have their own young-agent test, and schoolchildren have their own group programmes.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Coaches can drop passengers off near the Finlayson church.
By car
Parking available
Visitors arriving by car are asked to park in the Plevna or Frenckell car park.
The entrances are on the Satakunnankatu side, next to the rapids, and on the Väinö Linna square side. The route on the Siperia side of Finlayson is closed because of construction work.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum holds guided tours, agent tests, lie-detection tests and an agent school. Programmes are offered for groups of companies, schools and adults. Group bookings are made through the museum’s website. |
