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Raatteen Portti: A Window into the Winter War

Explore the Winter War history at Raatteen Portti museum and memorial in Suomussalmi, Finland. Discover the battles and honor the fallen.

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Raatteen Portti is a war museum and memorial area in Suomussalmi, Finland, dedicated to the Winter War. It offers a profound insight into Finland's military history and pays homage to those who fought during this tumultuous period.

A brief summary to Raatteen Portti museoalue

  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Plan your visit during the weekday morning hours for a quieter experience.
  • Don't miss the outdoor exhibits that offer a unique perspective on military history.
  • Check the museum's schedule for special events or guided tours for a more enriching visit.
  • Take your time to explore both the indoor and outdoor areas for a full understanding of the exhibits.
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Getting There

  • Car

    If arriving by car, head towards Suomussalmi. From the center of Suomussalmi, take Raatteentie road (Road 5), which is well marked. Follow Raatteentie for approximately 10 kilometers, and you will find Raatteen Portti located at Raatteentie 2, 89800 Suomussalmi. Parking is available on-site and is free of charge.

  • Public Transport

    For public transportation, take a bus to Suomussalmi bus station. From the Suomussalmi bus station, a taxi is required to reach Raatteen Portti, as there are no direct public transport connections. The taxi ride from the bus station to the museum takes about 10 minutes and costs approximately 15-20 euros.

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Discover more about Raatteen Portti museoalue

Raatteen Portti serves as a significant war museum that offers a profound insight into Finland's military history, particularly focusing on the Winter War. Situated amidst stunning Finnish landscapes, this museum is not only an educational hub but also a memorial site that pays homage to those who fought during this tumultuous period. The Winter War Museum, fully renovated in 2014, has over 300 square meters of museum space. The Winter War exhibition tells about Suomussalmi before the Winter War, evacuation preparations, the impact of the bitterly cold winter on the course of the war, the fate of the Red Army, the valuable spoils of war Finland gained from Raate Road, and the conditions to which people returned after the war. The exhibition includes a documentary film with subtitles in multiple languages. Beyond the indoor exhibitions, Raatteen Portti boasts extensive outdoor grounds where visitors can explore various military installations and monuments. These sites evoke a sense of reflection and respect, allowing tourists to walk in the footsteps of history. The outdoor area features heavy war-time material, including a Soviet tank involved in the Battle of Raate Road. Visitors can also explore a field track, a narrow-gauge railway built by Germany during the Continuation War. Raatteen Portti also features a Winter War Monument, standing on a field of stones in memory of the soldiers who perished in the battles. The monument consists of about 17,000 large stones and has 105 brass bells, one for each day of the Winter War.

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