An outdoor museum in Helsinki on an island featuring traditional Finnish wooden buildings and customs, open all year.
Seurasaari is an open-air museum and a quiet retreat on an island just a few kilometers from the center of Helsinki, Finland. It shows traditional Finnish life through its collection of historical wooden buildings brought from all around Finland. The island provides a look into the past as well as a peaceful natural area for those wanting to get away from the city's activity.
Seurasaari offers a mix of culture and nature. As you walk the paths, you'll find cottages, farmsteads, and manors from the 18th and 19th centuries. Each building tells a story, taking visitors back to when Finland's rural landscape was filled with these structures. The museum is open mainly in the summer, from June to August, with guides in traditional costumes enhancing the experience.
The island is also home to a range of wildlife, including peacocks and squirrels, which have gotten used to people and can be approached. The quiet beaches along the shore are perfect for relaxation and picnics.
Local customs on Seurasaari are connected to Finnish traditions. Midsummer celebrations here are full of life, with a bonfire that is a central part of Finnish culture. It's important to note that the island is a favored spot for activities such as walking, jogging, and cross-country skiing in winter.
The history of Seurasaari goes beyond the buildings. The island was turned into a museum by Professor Axel Olai Heikel in 1909 to save Finland's disappearing wooden architecture. Today, it stands as a symbol of the preservation of Finnish heritage.
Visitors should wear clothes suitable for the weather, which can change. It's also best to wear comfortable walking shoes since exploring the island involves a lot of walking. The island is open all year, with a bridge connecting it to the mainland, making it an easy place to visit on any Helsinki trip. Public transportation is available, with buses going regularly from the city center.
