The Hanko Front Museum

The Hanko Front Museum

Located in Hanko, Uusimaa province, in a culturally significant place where the border between Finland and the Soviet Union passed in 1940–1941. The museum tells about the events of the war between 1939 and 1945. As the name suggests, the Front Museum is located on the front. In addition, about five kilometers away is the Irma Bunker Museum.

Explore the museum and exhibitions: The Hanko Front Museum

Exhibitions

The museum’s permanent exhibition Hanko in Foreign Hands gives a good overview of the events of 1939 –1941 when the city of Hanko was of strategic importance for Finland. The exhibition also presents life in idyllic Hanko before the Winter War of 1939 –1940. In addition to the basic exhibition, the museum presents changing themed exhibitions. You can visit the museum independently, but with a guided tour you will get the best descriptions and information about the exhibitions, the guidance is also available in Swedish.

The Traditon Center: The museum was expanded in 2024 with a new annex that meets all the hallmarks of a modern museum. The new building, called the Tradition Center, features high-quality war history exhibitions.

The Artillery Hall: The Artillery Hall is a space for ten wartime artillery pieces, which were all used by the Finnish Defence Forces during the Second World War.

Outdoors: The Hankoniemi Front Museum is in a strategically important location. Important events in the history of Finland took place in the pine forest surrounding the museum. The whole area has an atmosphere of the past, and a feeling of history can be gained on a quiet walk around the site. For our younger visitors there is an obstacle course and next to it a roof shelter with benches and tables for a moment’s rest.

Bunker museum Irma

The restored wartime bunker called “Irma” is located in Harparskog approximately 5 kilometres from the Hanko Front Museum. Most of the interior of the bunker is original artefacts and it is equipped with a 45 mm anti-tank cannon and a machine gun. A visit to Irma offers a realistic understanding of life on the front lines during the wars. Mannerheimintie 56, 10680 Raasepori

Services

Bunker hike: The museum organizes guided tours to Harparskog to get to know how the main defense line of the Hanko front was built and how it worked. During the four-hour tour, seven wartime bunkers are visited. Number of participants 10-30 people.

Guided boat trip: On the trip, you can get to know authentic battle sites and admire the amazing scenery of the archipelago. Hikers must be in good physical condition, as the trip will involve hiking in some demanding terrain. Duration of the excursion approx. 4 hours, maximum number of participants 12 people.

You can buy drinks and snacks at the Korsukukka canteen in the museum. Meeting rooms are also available for rent at Museum, meals can be arranged through nearby cafes.

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With the museum card, you can also visit the Hanko Front Museum, redeem yours below.