The Hunting Museum of Finland: A Journey Through Finnish Hunting History

Step into the world of Finnish hunting at the Suomen Metsästysmuseo, located in Riihimäki. This museum chronicles the 10,000-year history of hunting in Finland, tracing its development from a vital means of sustenance to a beloved recreational activity. The museum's exhibits offer a diverse look at Finnish hunting traditions, displaying artifacts, photographs, and stories that highlight the importance of hunting in Finnish culture. Explore the 'OTSO' exhibition, which covers the early stages of Finnish hunting from the Stone Age to the 19th century. See the Jaakko Ojanperä Trophy Collection, which presents animals from different continents. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions focusing on wilderness and nature-related art, game species, and other hunting themes. Founded in 1930, the museum initially focused on collecting items, but its operations were interrupted by war. It wasn't until 1972 that the museum opened in Porvoo, before moving to its current location in Riihimäki in 1990. Today, the Hunting Museum of Finland serves as a leading information center, preserving and showcasing Finnish hunting culture for both local and national audiences. The museum's collections include over 20,000 hunting-related artifacts and over 140,000 photographs, along with a vast library of hunting books and magazines.