Finnish Museum of Natural History: A Chronicle of Life

The Finnish Museum of Natural History, located in central Helsinki, is a captivating journey through the natural world. As one of the University of Helsinki's museums, it houses extensive botanical, zoological, geological, and paleontological collections. The museum's collections serve scientific, public informational, and educational purposes. The museum is housed in a flamboyant building dating back to 1913, originally built for the Alexander Lyceum, a Russian-speaking cadet school. After Finnish independence, it became a Finnish cadet school and was later converted for use as a zoological museum in 1923. The museum's five permanent exhibitions showcase the diversity of Finnish and global nature. The Finnish Nature exhibition takes you on a journey through Finland's distinct seasons, from the southern coast to Lapland. The History of Life exhibition presents the course of evolution from the Big Bang to dinosaurs and the Ice Age. The World Nature exhibition explores a range of global ecosystems. Other exhibits include the Story of the Bones and Change in the Air. Visitors can also explore temporary exhibitions, a museum shop, and a café. Guided tours are available in Finnish, Swedish, and English. The museum also owns the Kumpula Botanic Garden and the Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden.