Vankila

About the museum

The Hämeenlinna provincial prison was completed in 1871 as Finland’s first cell block, and it operated as a prison until 1993. After the end of the prison service, the City of Hämeenlinna opened the building as a prison museum in 1997 and maintained it until 2015. It opened as a visitor attraction of the National Museum of Finland on 2 May 2019 under the name Vankila.

The history of Vankila reaches back to the Crown prison of Hämeen linna, whose roots lie in the 1600s, when a provincial administration and with it the provincial prison system were established in the country. The furnishings, objects and atmosphere of the premises have been kept as original as possible, and the past lives on in the graffiti and the time-worn cells.

The exhibition takes visitors through the prison premises, the cells and the objects; the ground floor includes, among others, special cells and the prisoners’ sauna. Light and sound installations and hologram figures tell the stories of the prisoners, and a separate exhibition presents prison tattoos.

Highlights

• Finland’s first cell prison from 1871
• Light and sound installations and hologram figures about the prisoners’ stories
• Special cells and the prisoners’ sauna
• Exhibition on prison tattoos
• Next to Hämeen linna (Häme Castle)

Permanent exhibitions

• Vankilan näyttely – The exhibition presents the prison premises, cells and objects that tell of everyday life in the prison; the ground floor includes, among other things, special cells and the prisoners’ sauna.
• Installaatiot – Light and sound installations bring the prison to life: hologram figures tell the prisoners’ stories, and different soundscapes can be heard in the cells.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Suomen kansallismuseo

Admission & discounts

The Museokortti and the Kaikukortti are valid. The joint ticket cannot be paid with a Kaikukortti, Smartum or Edenred culture benefit. Card payment is recommended, but cash is accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building is Finland’s first cell block, from 1871: the cells are small, the doorways and corridors narrow, and the doors of the exhibition spaces and of all cells have thresholds. The main entrance is on the first floor, a few steps up; on the other side of the building there is a step-free entrance at ground level, from which a stair lift is used (width 750 mm, length 850 mm, maximum weight 300 kg; contact the ticket desk on tel. 0295 33 6202). A lift serves all exhibition floors. The accessible toilet is on the lowest floor (−1st floor). Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome. There is no ramp from the yard to the museum shop or the ticket desk.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities: not available

Vankila and its guided tours are aimed primarily at adults and may be distressing for the most sensitive and youngest visitors. The walls also bear sexist and racist images and writings. Children are welcome in the company of their parents; for the youngest it is worth explaining beforehand what kind of place a prison is. Taking a pushchair around is difficult, and there is no baby-changing room.

Getting there & parking

The museum is next to Hämeen linna (Häme Castle).

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

The museum has no café; the nearest café is the Kruununleipomo at Hämeen linna, which is open to the public in summer, 1 June–31 August. The museum shop is on the first floor and open during museum opening hours. There are no coat hooks or storage lockers. Public toilets are on the first floor and the ground floor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit