Finland's main historical museum, in a national-romantic granite building of 1916 by Saarinen, Lindgren, and Gesellius. Permanent galleries cover prehistory, the Swedish era, the Russian grand duchy, independence, and the wars. A separate gallery on the upper floor tells the story of everyday Finnish life through household objects.
The most striking single feature is the Kalevala frescoes in the entrance hall. The 2024 extension added a substantial new wing with contemporary cultural exhibits and a much better café — combine the two.