Seurasaari Open-Air Museum / Seurasaari Museo al aire libre / Musée en plein air de Seurasaari

November 2, 2012

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum / Seurasaari Museo al aire libre / Musée en plein air de Seurasaari

In English:

When in Helsinki You should visit Seurasaari island. It is only few kilometers from the heart of Helsinki and it can be reach by bus easily. Why? There are preserved old buildings having them 87 totally. The island itself is very beautiful and many small paths surrounded by gorgeous nature are enjoyable. In this post I visit some old historical building. So start the time travel thru my photos.

En español:

Cuando en Helsinki Usted debe visitar la isla de Seurasaari. Se encuentra a sólo unos kilómetros del centro de Helsinki y se puede llegar fácilmente en autobús. ¿Por qué visitarla? Allí se conservan edificios antiguos, 87 totalmente. La isla es muy bonita y muchos pequeños caminos rodean en la naturaleza magnífica y agradable. En este post voy a visitar algúnos edificios históricos y antiguos. Vamos a empezar el viaje en el tiempo a través de mis fotos.

En francais:

Quand à Helsinki Vous devriez visiter l’île de Seurasaari. Il est juste à quelques kilomètres du centre de Helsinki et est facilement accessible en autobus. Pourquoi le visiter? Il ya des bâtiments anciens préservés, 87 entièrement. L’île est très belle et beaucoup de petites routes entourent la nature magnifique et agréable. Dans ce post, je vais visiter des bâtiments historiques anciens. Commençons le voyage dans le temps à travers mes photos.

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum / Seurasaari Museo al aire libre / Musée en plein air de Seurasaari

If You love open-air museums, check my other posts / Si Usted le gustan a los museos al aire libre, mira mis otros posts / Si vous aimez musées en plein air, regardez mes autres postes.

Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum / Museo de Artesanías Luostarinmäki / Musée de l’Artisanat de Luostarinmäki

Open-air museum in Lieksa / Museo al aire libre en Lieksa / Musée en plein air á Lieksa

Comments (72)

72 Comments »

I really enjoyed looking at your beautiful photos, as they are very interesting. I almost felt like I was there, but in reality I was here in Australia. It is wonderful to take an armchair travel tour to your beautiful country. What era are the museum displays from ?

Comment by linnyjcreations — November 2, 2012 @ 07:30 | Reply
- Hello Linny.
  
  After it what You wrote, I am sure that I succeeded with my post. I tried to present it in following way: entering the island, presenting old building inside and outside with things which were used in historic days, taking a coffee break etc. The museum presents our living and buildings from in the late 1600s to the 1900s. My photos presented only a small part of this museum. The museum and the island require half a day for a quick tour and one could easily spend there all the day. Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 07:53 | Reply
I could easily spend an entire day there enjoying seeing and studying everything! I am always fascinated at the wood working that was done there. They were wonderful carpenters through all of the times!

Comment by montucky — November 2, 2012 @ 08:07 | Reply
- Hi Terry.
  
  Thank You. These kinds of museums are “best time travel”.
  
  It is quite warm (41.0ºF) Friday morning here, no rain but windy and that means we must go outside to “ventilate the lungs”. As I mentioned earlier the autumn has been here very, very rainy.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 08:24 | Reply
Great series of pics. So good to know that our heritage is being looked after. Long may this last.

Comment by traveller858 — November 2, 2012 @ 10:12 | Reply
- Hello Traveler858.
  
  Thank You commenting. Heritage is important for all of us. I am happy that You did like my photos.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 10:17 | Reply
  - For your interest – there is also a similar “village” “grouping” of historic buildings set in woodland and run as a “living museum” about 25kms outside of Archangelski, Russia. The buildings have been transported in from far and near into this natural setting. It helps you get an understanding of exactly how people lived previously. (they may be the ones that had it right!)
    
    Comment by traveller858 — November 2, 2012 @ 10:56 | Reply
    - This open-air museum has been built the same way. Buildings collected and erected again on this island around Finland. In my next post You see living history in Russia when we sought my wife’s roots on former Finland’s area which we lost in WW2.
      
      Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 11:49 | Reply
I would love to visit! What beautiful photos.

Comment by TBM — November 2, 2012 @ 10:20 | Reply
- Hi TBM.
  
  Thank You, I appreciate Your words.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 10:22 | Reply
Bonjour Matti,
De très beaux objets et meubles exposés.
Deux édifices (1 et 38) ont un style surprenant, et j’avoue préférer les autres cabanes, plus rustiques !
Merci pour cette nouvelle belle découverte.
Bises et bon week-end
Marion

Comment by Marion B. — November 2, 2012 @ 10:52 | Reply
- Bonjour Marion.
  
  Merci de m’avoir fait un commentaire. Quant à photo 38, je crois que la meme style est dan mon post:
  
  Mäntyharju with its gazebos / Mäntyharju con sus pabellónes / Mäntyharju avec ses pavillons.
  
  J’en suis sûr que tu n’as pas vu. Il y a beaucoupd des pavillons et beaux. Tu dois le verifier. 🙂
  
  Bon week-end á toi aussi. Bises.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 13:03 | Reply
I enjoyed very much the visit at Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. Thank you very much for showing more about your country/culture and for your excellent photos! I often visit your blog and will do so in the future!

Best wishes from Hamburg and have a nice weekend.
Michèle

Comment by ladyfromhamburg — November 2, 2012 @ 12:41 | Reply
- Hallo Michèle.
  
  Vielen Dank für Ihr Kommentar. I am glad that You like my photos.
  
  Schönes Wochenende!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 13:10 | Reply
Thank you for showing these wonderful photos. We have a similar open air museum outside Copenhagen, -one of my favorite museums to visit -, and It is interesting to compare your photos with the houses there.

Comment by Giiid — November 2, 2012 @ 13:30 | Reply
- Hi Giiid.
  
  I am glad that You love museums also. I have not visited the museum You mention. Maybe some day… In Stockholm I have been in Skansen, but for many years ago. I agree with You that to compare these kinds of museums is interesting! Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Ha’ en dejlig dag
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 13:58 | Reply
Those photos are wonderful. I can almost smell the fragrance of the forest, water and the touch of mustiness from the old buildings. Reminds me so much of similar museums here that are recreations of Norwegian settlements. So rich in history and simpler times, although I most certainly do not want to retreat to such times—just appreciate them!!!! Thank you for the post!

Comment by treadlemusic — November 2, 2012 @ 14:04 | Reply
- Hi Treadlemusic.
  
  Thank You. I can imagine those recreations of Norwegian settlements very well, because I have been driving in Norway on our holiday.
  
  Have a lovely day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 14:41 | Reply
Nice photos. I also visited this place and enjoyed very much. That’s why I’m an architecture engineer.

Comment by cocomino — November 2, 2012 @ 14:15 | Reply
- Hello Cocomino.
  
  How nice that You have visited this place. I suggest that You check my two links from my blog, because the open-air museum in Turku is my favorite! It is maybe the best one of this kind in Finland. Thank You.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 14:58 | Reply
beautiful thank you for sharing – what a wonderful place to see. At an old Norwegian settlement in Wisconsin USA I saw a very small in comparison open air type of museum like this but it was much smaller – some of the items though were very similar thank you for sharing.

Comment by Karen — November 2, 2012 @ 14:26 | Reply
- Hi Karen.
  
  So interesting to read Your comment. It is wonderful that people have saved their history in museums. I love to see the comparison between the old and the modern era. One good example is if we look at the photo 21. My late father made these kinds of pack backs. They are made from birch bark.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 14:50 | Reply
Yes, thank you for the trip. How dark the old buildings were with all the wood everywhere. The “fancy” house was very nice and I love the green tiled heater/furnace. Beautiful work as always! I appreciate your sharp photography skills in low light conditions and your story from the church how you keep still.

Comment by Bondseye — November 2, 2012 @ 15:35 | Reply
- Hi Lisa.
  
  Thank You. There is old church also, but my post from it will be next year. While waiting to see something “exceptional” inside Finnish churches, You have to wait four weeks, but it is worth for it – be sure. I am glad that You remember my “instruction” yet today! 🙂
  
  I wish to You a great Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 2, 2012 @ 15:46 | Reply
Precioso reportaje, realmente bello y no lo dudes si algún día voy, pasaré por allí, gracias por compartir, besos

Comment by ManoliRizoFotografia — November 2, 2012 @ 15:37 | Reply
- Hola Manoli.
  
  Muchas gracias, es un placer tener tus comentarios! Bienvenida a Finlandia y como lo sepas hay muchas cosas, no solo paisajes, de ver aqui. Si vienes, preguntame la mejor temporada y lugares que visitar.
  
  Buen fin de semana. Abrazos y besitos.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 09:28 | Reply
This is definitely a beautiful place and worthy of a visit. I was amazed at the different architectural styles that are present in the museum — the buildings must span many years. I was pleased to see that they are open for visitors to go inside. That windmill is also fascinating.

Comment by seniorhiker — November 2, 2012 @ 16:34 | Reply
- Hi George.
  
  I am happy that You did like this open-air museum. Thank leaving Your comment.
  
  Happy week-end!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 09:46 | Reply
I love these types of museums. Your photos are wonderful 🙂

Comment by Northern Narratives — November 2, 2012 @ 17:53 | Reply
- Hello Northern Narratives.
  
  Thank You for Your comment which I appreciate.
  
  Have a great week-end!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 09:47 | Reply
Beautiful artifacts but I’m thankful for the modern age.

Comment by wordsfromanneli — November 2, 2012 @ 19:43 | Reply
- Hi Anneli.
  
  To better understand history, these kinds of museums are must-see places. To better appreciate modern age, these kinds of museums are must-see places.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 09:53 | Reply
If I ever return to Helsinki, it will be off to the islands for me! Great pics … and thanks for your visit to my little corner of the world.

Comment by aFrankAngle — November 2, 2012 @ 20:10 | Reply
- Hi Frank.
  
  I am glad that You visited also my small corner of Finland. My opinion is that in addition of official travel books, photos blogs give important info to feed man’s imagination. So welcome again and then to find “real wonders” on our countryside!
  
  Happy Saturday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 10:10 | Reply
  - I should have said if I ever go to Helsinki again because I did get a dab of it in early September via cruise ship. And although cities are wonderful, the countrysides offer serene genuineness.
    
    Comment by aFrankAngle — November 3, 2012 @ 13:05 | Reply
This open air museum is beautiful – what a nice place to visit. I particularly like the green clock and the sleigh. I’d definitely like to see it myself!

Comment by megtraveling — November 2, 2012 @ 21:30 | Reply
- Hi Megtraveling.
  
  It was so nice to read that You did find things which have interest for You. Thank You.
  
  Have a great week-end.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 10:13 | Reply
What a lovely place – and fantastic photos.

Comment by e1aine — November 2, 2012 @ 22:31 | Reply
- Hi E1aine.
  
  I am happy that You checked my museum post and left Your comment. Thank You.
  
  Have a great week-end!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 09:57 | Reply
Hi Matti – I love these open air museum places, we have a couple of them in the UK and I have very fond memories of the one’s I visited in Canada when I was a kid

Comment by surfnslide — November 3, 2012 @ 11:46 | Reply
- Hi Andy.
  
  Very nice indeed. I am glad that You love them and thus appreciate “near history”. Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Happy Saturday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 3, 2012 @ 13:06 | Reply
Seurasaari island, just my dream place to visit. Beautiful, historical, close to nature, and yes, with a delightful snack of pastry and coffee. Love the pictures. Have a great weekend.

Comment by island traveler — November 3, 2012 @ 14:19 | Reply
- Hello Island traveler.
  
  It was so nice to read Your comment. Coffee place (coffee barn)) was nice even viewed from inside. Coffee and bun are very typical all around in Finland. Finns love different types of buns and when drinking a coffee a bun is a must! Thank You.
  
  Have a great Sunday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 4, 2012 @ 08:55 | Reply
They were wonderful craftsmen. The pottery is so smooth and colorful. The table cloth looks like a form of weaving I do called Swedish Lap weaving. Very nice and enjoyable post.

Comment by kareninhonolulu — November 3, 2012 @ 21:07 | Reply
- Hi Karen.
  
  Thank You. I am glad that You enjoyed this post. What comes to “Swedish Lap weaving”, it may be true, because we were under the Swedish rule from the 1100s until 1809. After that we were Grand Duchy of Finland under the rule of Russian Empire. We gained our independency in 1917. Being so long time ruled by other cultures must have great influence to our culture having influences from West and East.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 4, 2012 @ 09:45 | Reply
  - That is very interesting. Thank you
    
    Comment by kareninhonolulu — November 4, 2012 @ 23:04 | Reply
    - Hi Karen.
      
      I am happy that You did like the glimpse from our history. Although we were so long time under rules of foreign countries we have our own language which is one of the most difficult languages in the world. It was “already” in the 1500’s when we got our own written language. There is only one person: Mikael Agricola – father of the Finnish written language to whom we are the debt of gratitude.
      
      I wanted to present the name Mikael Agricola, because in my next post, we are searching the roots of my wife. Her roots are in former Finland which we lost in WW2. Mikael Agricola died at the same area where wife’s roots are. So in my next post be prepared to see how that former part of Finland has changed since 1944 or did it change, that’s the question.
      
      Have a great beginning of the week!
      
      Comment by Sartenada — November 5, 2012 @ 08:13 | Reply
Amazing pictures. Thanks for the tour!!!! I appreciate you for sharing those photos.

Comment by ivoryspring — November 4, 2012 @ 03:30 | Reply
- Hi Wendy.
  
  I am happy that You made the tour thru my photos. Thank You leaving Your comment.
  
  Have a great beginning of the week!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 5, 2012 @ 07:37 | Reply
Great photos. 🙂

Comment by sethsnap — November 4, 2012 @ 12:26 | Reply
- Hello Seth.
  
  Thank You commenting.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 4, 2012 @ 13:15 | Reply
These photos were fascinating. The wooden interiors are similar to anything we saw when we visited the Open Air Museum near Salzburg. It makes you realise how similar the culture has been all over Europe. I loved the nailless fence too, we call these flat pack fences and they’re still used today!

Comment by annarashbrook — November 4, 2012 @ 18:22 | Reply
- Hello Anna.
  
  Thank You for You nice comment. What comes to “flat pack fences” as You call them, there are on our countryside here and there them. Even one company makes them to those who love traditions. In Finnish we call it “riukuaita” and in English it is round pole fence. In my About me-page I have a photo from more beautiful with a shadoof. Thank You telling about the museum near Salzburg. Some day we again start our car holidays in Germany and we might visit Austria also at same time.
  
  Happy Monday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 5, 2012 @ 07:49 | Reply
Great photo essay. Unfortunately, when we visited Helsinki, the weather was miserable and we ran out of time and were unable to see the Open Air Museum. Thanks for giving us a tour.

Comment by gallivance — November 5, 2012 @ 13:40 | Reply
- Hi Gallivance.
  
  Oh, I am sorry for the weather. This summer and fall it has been raining huge amount of water – very exceptional. I have experience from summer when I photographed Poor-man statues which are unique in the whole world. I had heavy camera in one hand and in other hand I held my umbrella. My photos are published in the beginning of next year.
  
  Happy travel.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 5, 2012 @ 13:54 | Reply
  - Good luck with the photo publication. I’ll keep an eye out for them.
    
    Comment by gallivance — November 5, 2012 @ 14:03 | Reply
You may remember, that I am working in Den Gamle By, which is the official Danish open-air museum for town buildings and life. So this is very interesting for me! Are the buildings oroginal buildings from this site – or are the moved from other places in Finland? (Buildings in “my” museum are almost all separated into pieces, numbered -a nd the moved and rebuilt here….. http://www.dengamleby.dk/eng/den-gamle-by/

Comment by Truels — November 6, 2012 @ 02:22 | Reply
- Hello Truels.
  
  Buildings are original, but moved from other places in Finland. I do not how, but I think that same way as You tell it is done in Denmark. Well, so nice to read that this post had great interest for You.
  
  Happy Tuesday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 6, 2012 @ 11:44 | Reply
WOW – what a fantastic place! I’d love to visit!

Comment by Gretchen O'Donnell — November 6, 2012 @ 05:56 | Reply
- Hello Gretchen.
  
  How nice to read that You love the place. Thank You.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 6, 2012 @ 11:40 | Reply
I love this open air museum!

Comment by Lisaman — November 7, 2012 @ 00:55 | Reply
- Hi Lisaman.
  
  Thank You. I am glad that You love this museum in Helsinki.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 7, 2012 @ 13:45 | Reply
I’ve been to Helsinki twice now and still never made it out to Seurasaari. Thanks for sharing the pictures! I imagine Seurasaari was built with much the same idea that Skansen in Stockholm was built?

Comment by Ducky's Always Hungry — November 7, 2012 @ 17:52 | Reply
- Hi Alisa.
  
  Thank You commenting my post. Twice is much. Yes, You are right, I think so, because Skansen was established in 1891 and Seurasaari in 1909. If You checked my two other links, then the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum is my favorite open-air museum. Its houses are not collected around from Finland, but they make part of the old residential area in Turku. That museum is living museum, because there are presentations how people were living in the old days. It is unique in the whole world; there is not another similar. Also in the Eastern part, the museum is worth for seeing.
  
  Here are links again to my previous posts:
  
  Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum / Museo de Artesanías Luostarinmäki / Musée de l’Artisanat de Luostarinmäki
  
  Open-air museum in Lieksa / Museo al aire libre en Lieksa / Musée en plein air á Lieksa
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 8, 2012 @ 07:42 | Reply
Love the interiors of those cabins…and the details of things like pots and pans and spinning wheels…

Comment by kateri — November 9, 2012 @ 04:54 | Reply
- Hi Kateri.
  
  I am glad that You checked my post and liked the museum. Thank You.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 9, 2012 @ 07:40 | Reply
Hi! I hope this is a pleasant surprise. I have nominated you to the Reader Appreciation Award!

Comment by traveller858 — November 12, 2012 @ 19:19 | Reply
- Hello Traveller858.
  
  Oh, thank You very much.
  
  Happy Tuesday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 13, 2012 @ 15:40 | Reply
I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of the pots and pans, but so many of your pictures were interesting, and wonderful to see. I would certainly love to visit this very interesting looking museum some day.

Comment by luchaniktravel — December 20, 2012 @ 01:34 | Reply
- Hello Davinder.
  
  I am really happy that You checked this post of mine. The place is near to my heart (I am a homegrown in Helsinki) and I think after a visit to all visitors. Thank You.
  
  Have wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — December 20, 2012 @ 08:24 | Reply
This is another area I would definitely want to see……I have some old, old, old shelving to hold dishes, similar to the ones in your photos. I like old furniture pieces and have a few really old, primitive pieces in my own home. I like the cabin country/home-made pieces the best. I was reading another blog recently about a young couple in Finland , I think, that had bought an old, old, cabin away from the city that had once been used by the girls, who brought the animals to graze in pastures in the summer and stayed there all summer. The young couple was wanting to go back to their roots and live very simply. I will have to find that blog site again and send it on to you. We visited one of these remote farms/grazing areas in Norway on our vacation too. It was really out in the boonies and took us several hours to get there, but it was an experience I will never forget. I will be writing a post or two, three, when I get Norway in my blog rotation. I am posting the cities as we saw them……..So much to do, I need to get a move on!

Comment by CadyLuck Leedy — January 28, 2020 @ 18:14 | Reply
- Cady.
  
  We have some open-air museums in Finland. One interesting and must visit is in Turku, not so far away from Helsinki. You should add to your list, if you some day visit again Finland and find its hidden gems. Here:
  
  Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum
  
  In addition to this, there are two more in Finland. BTW, Turku is beautiful town, has a castle and has historic cathedral.
  
  Thank you.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — January 29, 2020 @ 08:56 | Reply