In the heart of the Finnish capital, there is one unique building that attracts the attention of travelers. It is similar to the ancient Finnish stone castles or medieval temples. However, the building has nothing to do with either antiquity or the Middle Ages. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century by three talented architects Hermann Gesellius, Armas Lindgren, and Eliel Saarinen.
The magnificent architectural monument with a high cone-shaped tower and Romanesque arched windows, intended for the National Museum of Finland, one of the main attractions of the country, is made in the Romantic style unusual for Scandinavia.
Unlike its exterior, the interior of the museum is designed in the Art Nouveau style. The bright, colorful stained-glass windows feature national patterns, and the high ceiling in the lobby is decorated with beautiful frescoes painted by the famous Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela for the 1900 World's Fair.
It is difficult to imagine a better place to experience the history and culture of Finland. There are thousands of unique exhibits from all the historical periods and every region. The collections of the National Museum impress even those guests who are not fond of visiting museums.
The permanent exhibition is divided into six parts. The best place to start your fascinating tour is the "Prehistory of Finland" part, the country's largest archaeological collection. Then explore the exhibits dedicated to the tsarist period, when the Finnish lands belonged to the Swedish and Russian empires, and learn about the history and culture starting from the 12th century. The collection entitled "The Land and Its People" is dedicated to the local folk traditions in the 18th-19th centuries and the rural life before the beginning of industrialization. 20th-century exhibits are placed in the "Last century" part. And the "Treasures" part displays a collection of antique medals and coins, original military weapons, and luxurious jewelry.
Moreover, the museum has an interactive exhibit and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.