National Museum of Finland, Helsinki

The National Museum of Finland tells the story of Finnish history from ancient times to the present. Its architecture reflects the Finnish national romantic style, characterized by grey granite and green copper roofs reminiscent of medieval churches and castles. Inside, the decor is mainly in the art nouveau style.

Designed by architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren, and Eliel Saarinen, the museum was constructed over five years, from 1905 to 1910, and opened to the public in 1916. It was officially named the Finnish National Museum after Finland gained independence in 1917. Bullet holes from the Civil War that occurred shortly after are still visible on the museum doors. The main entrance is adorned with famous ceiling frescoes depicting scenes from the national epic poem Kalevala, painted by Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

The museum's permanent exhibition is divided into sections showcasing coins, medals, decorations, silverware, jewelry, and weaponry. 'The Prehistory of Finland' features artifacts dating back to the Stone Age. Additionally, there are exhibits covering Finland's history from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century, including the periods of the Swedish Kingdom and the Russian Empire before the Industrial Revolution.

One of the favorite exhibits within the museum is the hands-on, interactive VINTTI section. Among other features, it offers preview to all the six permanent exhibition sections.

Why You Should Visit:
The entire museum is quite engaging. This engagement will keep you there for a while as you go through the different periods of Finland, rising from the bottom of the sea to what it is today.

Tips:
The exhibits are extensive, so allow yourself at least 3-4 hours to see all.
Easy to spend the whole day with a family, as there is a restaurant on site. Younger guests must be accompanied by an adult at all times.