Helsinki Sights: Museums and galleries

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Alexander II and the Lutheran Cathedral

Senate Square on a snowy December morning

Many of Helsinki's museums are as interesting from the outside as from the inside. Architecture buffs will get a kick out of Helsinki's Neo-Classical center, centered around Senate Square (Senaatintori), where a statue of the liberal Russian czar Alexander II stands guard. Aleksanterinkatu and the Railway Station square also have some beautiful neo-classical buildings — look out for the Romantic Kalevala-esque themes — but unfortunately these areas also have many concrete monstrosities mixed in.

• Ateneum Art Museum, Kaivokatu 2, tel. +358 9 173361 (+358 9 17336228 for tickets), www.ateneum.fi. Ateneum can be considered the most nationally significant art museum, and it has the largest collection of paintings and sculptures in Finland. Particularly notable is the collection of works by major Finnish artists. Works include renowned interpretations of the national epic Kalevala. Adults €6, under 18 free, special prices may apply during major exhibitions. First Wednesday of the month 5PM-8PM free admission. Open Tue-Fri 9AM-6PM, Wed-Thu 9AM-8PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-5PM. Closed Mon.

• Design Museum. Korkeavuorenkatu 23, +358 9 622 0540, www.designmuseum.fi/main.asp?sid=2. Exhibitions of modern commercial and industrial design and modern art. The permanent exhibit in the basement showcases the history of consumer-goods design over the course of the 20th century, with a particular focus on the contributions of Finnish designers. Admission is €7 for adults, €3 for students, and free for children. Open Tue 11AM-8PM, Wed-Sun 11AM-6PM. Closed Mondays.

• Helsinki City Museum, Sofiankatu 4 (and elsewhere), +358 9 3103 6630, helsinkicitymuseum.fi. The museum actually covers a whole series of old buildings around Helsinki, but the centerpiece is the (short) street of Sofiankatu itself, carefully restored as a replica of the 1930s. All museums and exhibitions are free of charge.

• Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. Mannerheiminaukio 2, tel. +358 9 1733 6501, typo.kiasma.fi/index.php?id=11&FL=1&L=1. Located near Ateneum, Kiasma is everything Ateneum isn't. The sometimes unusual collections mostly include works by contemporary Finnish artists and artists from nearby countries. There are also periodical exhibitions. The building itself is arguably a work of art. Entrance fee €7 for adults, €5 for students (though not postgraduates - only undergraduates qualify for the discounted price), senior citizens, visual artists, and groups with at least 7 people. Free admission for visitors under 18. First Wed of the month is free from 5PM-8PM. Tue 10AM-5PM, Wed-Sun 10AM-8:30PM. Closed Mondays.

• National Museum of Finland (Kansallismuseo), Mannerheimintie 34, www.nba.fi/en/nmf. A beautiful classical building houses this old museum, which has recently been renovated. The exhibit includes displays of artifacts and items relating to Finland's history. Admission is €6/4 adult/child. Free admission for visitors under 18. Tuesday has free admission from 5:30PM-8PM. Tue-Wed 11AM-8PM, Thu-Sun 11AM-6PM, Closed Mon.

• Museum of Cultures (Kulttuurien museo), Tennispalatsi 2nd floor, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, www.nba.fi/en/museum_of_cultures. One of Helsinki's quirkier museums, concentrates on changing exhibitions of cultures outside Finland. Admission €5/4 adult/child. Tuesdays 5PM-8PM and Fridays 11AM-6PM free admission. Open Tue-Thu 11AM-8PM, Fri-Sun 11AM-6PM, Closed Mon.

• Heureka Science Centre, Tikkurila (near Tikkurila train station), Vantaa, www.heureka.fi/portal/englanti. If you have children, this is a great place for a day trip. Hands-on science tests and exhibitions plus Verne super-cinema. There's also a Heureka Shop, where you can buy interesting science-related memorabilia. Open Mon-Wed, Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-6PM. Admission (exhibitions and one super-movie) for adult costs €19, for children (6-15) €12.50.

• Mannerheim Museum, Kalliolinnantie 14 (Trams 3T and 3B stop close), www.mannerheim-museo.fi. Finnish Marshall Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim lived in this villa 1924—51. The museum contains his personal home and his vast array of items acquired during his life and on his long travels. Open Fri, Sat, Sun 11AM-4PM. Admission (exhibitions including guided tour) costs €8.

• Military Museum, Maurinkatu 1 (Trams 7A and 7B stop close-by), www.mpkk.fi/en/museum. The Military Museum of Finland, founded in 1929, is the central museum of the Finnish Defence Forces. Open Tue-Thu at 11–17 and Fri - Sund at 11-16. Closed on Mondays. Admission €4.

• Military Museum Manege, Suomenlinna, Iso Mustasaari (Take an inexpensive ferry from Kauppatori), www.mpkk.fi/en/museum/exhibitions/suomenlinnaisland.html. The Manege exhibits vehicles and armament used by Finnish forces during Winter War and WW2. Open summertime (open 12.5-31.8, closed 19-21.6) Daily 11:00-18:00. Admission €4.

• Submarine Vesikko, Suomenlinna, Susisaari (Take an inexpensive ferry from Kauppatori), www.mpkk.fi/en/museum/exhibitions/suomenlinnaisland.html. Vesikko was one of five submarines to serve the Finnish Navy during the wars in 1939-44. Open summertime (open 12.5-31.8, closed 19-21.6) Daily 11:00-18:00. Admission €4.