Border of Memories Museum

The Border of Memories Museum records the national defence and military history of the Kontio­lahti region. The museum brings objects, stories and diffe­rent types of memories from the region back to the region.

As its name suggests, the Border of Memories Museum uses the inter­faces of diffe­rent memories to examine the Kontio­ranta and Kontio­lahti area: what kind of memories, people, organi­sa­tions, battles, wars and activi­ties existed or took place here?

Learn about these inter­faces in the experience-based rooms of the museum: a dugout that dates back to the Conti­nua­tion War takes you back to the time of trench warfare, the forest of the fallen illustrates the harsh reality of war, The Terror of Morocco tells the story of Aarne Juuti­lainen, and the garrison barracks illustrate the history of the North Karelia brigade.

The museum theme combines the idea of Kontio­lahti as Finland’s eastern­most geograp­hical border area and its position as an impor­tant region in terms of national defence while simul­ta­neously using the museum’s name to highlight the threat of losing our memories. When do we step over the border of losing contact with memories and the people who carry them?

The Border of Memories is starting the long-term process of recor­ding tradi­tional knowledge in Kontio­lahti. The aim in future years is to continue collec­ting memories, objects and histo­rical material related to the topic  and expand the museum. 

Opening hours and prices 2025

Spring season (winter holiday weeks)

20.2. and 21.2.2025 (Thu-Fri 12.00 — 19.00)

27.2. and 28.2.2025 (Thu-Fri 12.00 — 19.00)

5. — 8.3.2025 (Wed-Fri 12.00 — 19.00, Sat 10.00 — 15.00)

Summer season

3.6.2025 — 3.8.2025 (open Tuesday — Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays)

Opening hours for summer 2025

Weekdays (Tuesday — Friday) 12.00 — 19.00

Satur­days 10.00 — 15.00

Ticket sales end 30 min before closing time.

Read more about the Border of Memories Museum here (in finnish)

Admis­sion fees and prices for the Border of Memories Museum starting on 1 February 2024:

Payment methods: Cash, debit card, online shop (advance payment) or Epassi.

Guided tours for groups are available by advance reservation

Prices start at EUR 79/hour and include the first 5 people.

To book a guided tour in advance: Jarkko Peiponen / Kontion­loikka Oy, tel. +358 50 472 4144. 

Guided tours and prices for groups

The primary payment method for group bookings is the online shop or an invoice. https://shopkontiolahti.fi/