The building's facade features statues representing architecture, painting, and sculpture, sculpted by Carl Eneas Sjöstrand.
The structure originally housed both the art museum and the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts.
During World War II, the most valuable artworks were removed and hidden in safety outside of Helsinki to protect them from bombing raids.
The museum holds the largest collection of Finnish art in the world, totaling over 20,000 items.
The building was the first in Finland specifically designed and constructed to serve as an art museum.
A major 2023 renovation aimed to restore parts of the interior to their historical color palettes.
The central staircase is a preserved example of 19th-century monumental architecture in Helsinki.
Ateneum is the Finnish National Gallery, housing the country's most significant collection of classical and modern art dating from the 1750s to the 1960s. The museum is located in a Neo-Renaissance building designed by Theodor Höijer, completed in 1887. Its permanent collection features pivotal works of the Finnish Golden Age, including paintings by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Albert Edelfelt, and Helene Schjerfbeck. The facility also functions as a primary research center for Finnish art history. Extensive renovations completed in 2023 updated the exhibition spaces and improved accessibility for visitors. The museum regularly hosts major international temporary exhibitions alongside its core inventory. It is an institution within the Finnish National Gallery network, which also oversees the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sinebrychoff Art Museum.
The main staircase with its high ceilings and decorative architectural details.
Use the free lockers in the basement to store heavy bags and coats, as they are not permitted in the galleries.
Download the digital guide to your smartphone before arriving to access detailed commentary on key pieces.
Visit the museum shop for high-quality Finnish design items and exhibition-related literature.
Do not rush through the Golden Age collection, as these works provide essential context for understanding Finnish national identity.
Typically closed on Mondays.
Flash photography and selfie sticks are prohibited; keep volume low in the galleries.
