The building's roof is covered with 4,500 decorative glass panels featuring a wave-like pattern.
The architectural design by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki won the Finnish Steel Structure Award in 2008.
Vellamo hosts the icebreaker Tarmo, built in 1907, which is one of the world's oldest surviving icebreakers.
The complex was built on a former industrial harbor site to revitalize the coastal city zone.
The museum collection includes over 40,000 maritime-related objects.
The interior layout is designed to allow natural light to penetrate deep into the underground exhibition halls.
Maritime Centre Vellamo is a distinctive, wave-shaped architectural structure located in the Kantasatama harbor area of Kotka, Finland. It houses the Maritime Museum of Finland, the Museum of Kymenlaakso, and the Coast Guard Museum under one roof. The building's exterior features a large, glass-patterned roof resembling a crashing wave. Visitors can explore indoor exhibitions detailing Finnish seafaring history and regional cultural heritage. The center also provides access to historic vessels moored at the adjacent pier during the summer season. Its design prioritizes large, open interior spaces to accommodate full-scale ship displays and artifacts. The facility serves as a cultural hub for research, exhibitions, and public maritime education.
The external walkway at the front of the building provides the best perspective of the wave-shaped, patterned glass roof.
Visit the outdoor pier during the summer to board and inspect the historic lighthouse ship Kemi and the icebreaker Tarmo.
Check the event calendar online for temporary exhibitions that change periodically throughout the year.
Use the onsite library if you have specific interests in maritime historical research or regional archives.
Do not overlook the underground exhibition levels, which contain significant portions of the Coast Guard and Kymenlaakso collections.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
