The Hanko Front Museum

The Hanko Front Museum

The Hanko Front Museum is located in Hanko, in the Uusimaa region of Finland, at a historically significant site where the border between Finland and the Soviet Union was drawn between 1940 and 1941. The museum focuses on the wartime events of 1939–1945, especially the post-Winter War lease period of the Hanko peninsula and the early battles of the Continuation War in the region. True to its name, the museum is situated on the frontlines. The museum also maintains the Bunker Museum Irma, located about five kilometers from the Front Museum. Visitors can explore the sites independently or with a knowledgeable guide.

Explore the museum and exhibitions: The Hanko Front Museum

Exhibitions

Hanko in Foreign Hands: The museum’s fascinating permanent exhibition offers an in-depth look into the events of the Winter and Continuation Wars in Hanko peninsula from 1939 to 1941, when the Hankoniemi held significant strategic importance for Finland.

Heritage Center: This touching and expertly curated exhibition takes visitors into the daily life of civilians during wartime, housed in the new Heritage Center opened in 2024 at the Hankoniemi Front Museum. The museum’s new facilities showcase high-quality military history exhibitions and rotating thematic displays.

The Artillery Hall: The Artillery Hall in the Front Museum features an exhibition about island battles and military equipment used by the Finnish Defense Forces during the Winter and Continuation Wars.

Outdoors: The museum grounds include military equipment such as cannons and tanks, gun positions, trenches, and a commemorative dugout called ”Gyllene Freden” (Golden Peace). For younger visitors, an obstacle course has been set up under the cover of pine trees. Behind the museum building, a marked War Path begins, leading through an area once under the responsibility of a Swedish volunteer battalion during the Continuation War. The trail is about one kilometer long.

Bunker museum Irma

Bunker Irma, number 302, is a fully restored reinforced concrete bunker and the crown jewel of the Harparskog defense line. It is located about five kilometers from the Hankoniemi Front Museum and is equipped with wartime weaponry. A visit to Irma provides an authentic experience of life on the frontlines during the wars. Address: Mannerheimintie 56, 10680 Raasepori

Services

Korsukukka – Canteen and Museum Shop: At Korsukukka, visitors can purchase high-quality souvenirs, military history books, coffee, tea, tasty snacks, and refreshments. Upon request, the museum organizes coffee service for groups, and the museum’s conference facilities are also available for rent.

Guided Tours: Memorable guided tours at the Hankoniemi Front Museum bring the stories to life, making visits unforgettable. Tours are available for both the Front Museum and Bunker Museum Irma, or even for both. Guides are available in Finnish, Swedish, and English.

Bunker Hike: The museum organizes highly appreciated guided tours along the Harparskog defense line. During the hike, visitors are amazed by the scale of the construction project and the clever solutions that enabled Finland to build a strong and credible defense line in a short time with limited resources. The four-hour tour includes visits to seven wartime bunkers.

Guided Boat Tour: On this tour, participants can explore Continuation War battle sites in the Hankoniemi archipelago while enjoying the stunning coastal scenery. Hikers should have a good level of fitness, as the terrain can be challenging at times. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Welcome to spend historical moments at the Hanko Front Museum!

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The Hanko Front Museum also accepts the Museum Card. Visit the site’s Museum Card page.