The Art Museum of Hämeenlinna
Kanta-Häme
The Art Museum of Hämeenlinna, inaugurated in 1952, is located on the eastern shore of Lake Vanajavesi in the Keinusaaren district, opposite the old Provincial Hospital. It occupies five historic buildings, including warehouses originally built in the 19th century for military and storage purposes, which have been repurposed as exhibition spaces. The museum holds classical collections and hosts rotating exhibitions, often highlighting Finnish female artists and contemporary art. It has played a significant role as a regional museum since 1983 and became a regional responsibility museum under the new museum law in 2020. The museum attracts around 40,000 to 50,000 visitors annually, offering a rich cultural experience that connects Hämeenlinna's heritage with modern artistic expressions. Its location near the cultural center of the old Verkatehdas factory further enriches its cultural environment.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to check the museum's website for current exhibitions and opening hours. The museum is accessible by foot, car, and public transport, being close to Hämeenlinna's city center and transportation hubs. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for popular exhibitions. Seasonal exhibitions often provide opportunities to explore Finnish contemporary art and collections of notable artists. Accessibility information is available on the official website to assist visitors with mobility needs.
Interesting facts
- •The museum buildings include a wooden warehouse dating back to the 1820s, originally used by the Finnish Sharpshooter Battalion.
- •Carl Ludvig Engel, a prominent architect, likely designed one of the main museum buildings, completed in 1838.
- •The museum houses collections evacuated from the Viipuri Art Museum during World War II.
- •The museum frequently showcases exhibitions featuring Finnish female artists.
- •Annually, the museum attracts between 40,000 and 50,000 visitors.
- •The Lohrmann Warehouse, part of the museum complex, was designed by Ernst Lohrmann in 1852 and renovated to house contemporary art collections.
- •The museum complex is located near the cultural center of the old Verkatehdas factory.
History
The Art Museum of Hämeenlinna was established in 1952, largely influenced by the last director of the Viipuri Art Museum, Rurik Lindquist, and artist Taisto Ahtola.
It was created to house evacuated art collections from Viipuri after 1939, which lacked exhibition space in Hämeenlinna initially.
The museum buildings include historic warehouses originally built in the 19th century, such as the wooden Crown Warehouse from the 1820s and the Engel Warehouse from 1838, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel or possibly A.
F.
Granstedt.
Over the decades, the museum evolved from a local to a regional institution, gaining responsibility under new museum legislation in 2020.
Renovations and expansions have preserved the historical character of the buildings while adapting them for modern museum use.
Place Guide
Engel Warehouse1838
Built in 1838, this cubic-shaped building with a tent roof and lantern provides the main exhibition space for the museum's classical collections and rotating exhibitions. It was likely designed by Carl Ludvig Engel and renovated in 2004 to modern museum standards.
Wooden Crown Warehouse1820s
Constructed in the 1820s, this wooden and paneled building was originally a supply building for the Finnish Sharpshooter Battalion. It was relocated to its current lakeside location after the 1831 fire in Hämeenlinna. Today, it serves as storage and hosts summer exhibitions.
Lohrmann Warehouse1852
Designed by Ernst Lohrmann in 1852, this red brick warehouse was originally used for grain storage and later as cold storage for the art and city museums. It was renovated in the 1990s to house contemporary art collections donated by Henna and Pertti Niemistö.
Contact
Phone: 03 6213017
