The building was originally constructed as a riding hall for the Russian garrison stationed on Suomenlinna in the late 19th century.
The museum displays a rare Finnish-made 'Sturmi' assault gun, one of the few surviving examples from the Second World War.
The site contains heavy artillery pieces that are too large to be housed in the museum's mainland location in Helsinki.
The floor of the exhibition hall is original to the building, reflecting its past use as a manège for horses.
The exhibits include a comprehensive display of landmines and anti-tank weaponry used throughout the 20th century.
The Military Museum of Manège is housed within a historic 1881 former Russian cavalry riding hall on the island of Suomenlinna. The facility serves as the main exhibition space for the Finnish Military Museum, focusing on Finland's military history from the early 20th century to the present. The collection features armored vehicles, artillery, and diverse infantry weaponry. Exhibits trace the events of the Finnish Civil War, the Winter War, and the Continuation War. Visitors can examine original equipment and uniforms used by the Finnish Defense Forces. The building's architectural design features large, vaulted brick ceilings characteristic of 19th-century military infrastructure. As of mid-2026, the museum continues to be a primary destination for understanding the geopolitical history of Finland. It provides comprehensive visual documentation of defense strategies and technological evolution in warfare.
The central exhibition floor featuring the large tanks and artillery pieces with the vaulted brick architecture as a backdrop.
Check the official website before traveling, as the museum often operates on a seasonal schedule limited to the warmer months.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the wider Suomenlinna UNESCO World Heritage site.
Dress in layers, as the large stone building can remain quite cool even during the summer.
Do not expect to see the entire collection of the Finnish Military Museum here; the heavy equipment is in the Manège, while smaller artifacts are in the mainland branch.
Typically operates on a seasonal basis, often opening in May and closing in late autumn; always closed on Mondays.
