The building was designed by architect Lev Chodasevitš and originally functioned as the Alexander Lyceum.
During World War I, the building served as a military hospital for the Russian Imperial Army.
The grand moose statue greeting visitors at the entrance is a modern installation created by artist Jussi Mäntynen.
The museum houses over 10 million specimens in its total research collections, though only a fraction are on public display.
The museum serves as the primary national archive for Finnish biological and geological samples.
Many of the taxidermy displays date back to the early 20th century, representing traditional European museum curation techniques.
The Natural History Museum of Helsinki is housed in a distinct 1913 neo-baroque building originally commissioned as a boys' school by the Russian military. The museum functions as part of the Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS) under the University of Helsinki. Its permanent exhibitions cover Finnish nature, the history of life, and global biodiversity. The facility features a notable collection of taxidermy, including a prominent moose exhibit in the grand lobby. A permanent 'Story of the Bones' exhibition showcases skeletal structures from diverse vertebrate species. The museum incorporates geological collections detailing the formation of the Earth and specific Finnish mineralogy. Educational displays emphasize Arctic and boreal ecosystems native to Northern Europe. The building maintains its historical architectural character, including original classroom layouts repurposed for scientific exhibits.
The main staircase under the large moose display in the lobby.
Prioritize the top floor first to work your way down through the evolutionary history exhibits.
Check the museum's digital portal for temporary research-led pop-up exhibitions before arriving.
Utilize the museum’s cloakroom facilities, as the historic building can become quite warm during peak attendance.
Attempting to see every specimen; focus on the 'Story of the Bones' and Finnish nature halls for the most depth.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume; touching displays is strictly prohibited unless marked otherwise.
