The museum's flagship, Suomen Joutsen, was built in 1902 in Saint-Nazaire, France, as a merchant sailing ship named Laënnec.
Suomen Joutsen served as a training ship for the Finnish Navy from 1931 to 1956.
The museum complex incorporates the oldest remaining buildings of the Turku shipyard, dating back to the 19th century.
The collection includes over 100 historical vessels and boats, making it one of the largest maritime heritage sites in Finland.
The Crown Magazines, where the main exhibitions are held, were originally constructed in 1850 for military storage.
Forum Marinum is a national maritime museum located on the banks of the Aura River in Turku, housed within the premises of an active historical shipyard. The center combines multiple exhibition spaces with a collection of historical vessels moored at the riverfront. Key indoor exhibits include the Jappi boathouse, which houses a diverse collection of small craft, and the main Crown Magazines building. Visitors can explore the interior of the Suomen Joutsen, a full-rigged ship that serves as the museum's most prominent landmark. The museum focuses on the history of the Finnish Navy, commercial shipping, and boat building traditions. It also serves as the headquarters for the Finnish Navy's museum activities. Several museum ships, including the minelayer Keihässalmi and the police patrol boat Venetsia, are accessible to the public during the summer season. The center hosts rotating temporary exhibitions related to marine archaeology and naval technology.
The riverbank promenade looking towards the masts of the Suomen Joutsen against the shipyard backdrop.
Check the museum's website to confirm which specific museum ships are open for boarding, as access is restricted to the summer season.
Allow extra time for walking between the different buildings and the floating exhibits along the riverbank.
Dress in layers, as the historical museum ships can be significantly cooler and more humid than the main climate-controlled exhibition halls.
Attempting to visit the floating museum ships during the winter or off-season, as they are closed to the public and may be covered or winterized.
Floating museum ships are generally accessible only during the summer season; check the museum website for specific seasonal opening dates.
