Virolahti Bunker Museum & Green Belt Center

Are you interested in seeing how we Finns prevented the mighty Soviet army from taking over our beloved Finland during the Second World War?

Come to experience the Virolahti Bunker Museum which exhibits the construction of the great Salpalinja defense line against Russia during the WW2 in the 1940’s. The museum is also real part of a defense station from the WW2!

During your visit, you will see an authentic part of the great Salpalinja defense line in the middle of a beautiful forest landscape and also get to know many military objects from the war era. The staff can tell you a lot of interesting facts about wartime life in Finland. Moreover, guided tours are available on request.

The museum's exhibition area includes an indoor exhibition, a short film about the construction of the Salpalinja defense line (duration 15 min, language versions available in English, Swedish, German, and Russian) and the fortification area located in the outdoor museum area: 3 illuminated reinforced concrete bunkers, a ball dugout, a wooden dugout, and a collection of different cannons. This almost 1200 km long defense line starts from the Virolahti region, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, and continues all the way to the Arctic Ocean!

The Salpa trail, which goes next to the museum, also offers an excellent natural setting for outdoor exercise and refreshment. Along the way, you can explore various parts of the Salpa Line, including reinforced concrete bunkers, accommodation caves and other fortifications.

In the Virolahti Green Belt center you can get to know the nature of South-East Finland and the European Greet Belt zone with the help of exhibitions, videos and virtual reality. The Green Belt center is located next to the bunker museum. Access to the center is free. It is open during the opening hours of the Bunker Museum and at other times upon request.

We recommend you to prepare for the experience with suitable clothing and comfortable footwear.