National Museum of Finland

The National Museum of Finland, the largest in the country, presents the Finnish history from prehistoric times to the present day. The major archaeological finds, the historical, numismatic and ethnological collections have been put together for over 170 years.

The building of the museum was designed by architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren, and Eliel Saarinen. Its exterior in the style of national romanticism refers to Finland's medieval churches and castles. The interior was created mainly in Jugendstyle. The museum was built from 1905 to 1910 and opened to public in 1916. After Finland's independence in 1917 the museum got its name. Several years ago it was fundamentally repaired and opened in 2000.

The main exposition of the National Museum consists of six different parts: Treasury, Finnish Prehistory part, State part, Land and people part, 20th Century part. Each of this sections presents the most important things and facts from the various periods of the Finnish history.

The relics from the Finnish past have been carefully preserved in the museum. The exhibits at the museum are indeed priceless, and some date back to the end of Ice Age in the region, back in 8000 BC. Among them there is the oldest fishing net in the world, along with a magnificent sculpture of an elk's head from the Early Stone Age period.

Alexander I throne, where he sat on while announcing the merging of Finland with Russia in 1809, is a remarkable exhibit. The 18th Century Hall which was transported from Jakkarila Manor close to Porvoo, is a magnificent example of the rococo style of architecture; there is also a smoke house dating back to the 19th Century transferred here from the Pajasyrja village.

The museum also contains some important documents of historical significance, including the foure Kalevala frescoes, which present the guests to ancient Finnish culture.