Joensuu Bunker Museum

Joensuu Bunker Museum is part of The Salpa Defence Line, a 1,200-kilometre-long chain of fortifications built after the Winter War. On the museum grounds you can explore the Salpa Line’s fortification structures in their original locations.

The Salpa Defence Line – A Monument from World War II

Museum is closed for the winter.

At Joensuu Bunker Museum, you can see a part of the largest construction project ever undertaken in Finland. The Salpa Defence Line is a series of field fortifications, extending for a total of 1.200 kilometres from the Gulf of Finland to Salla in Lapland, and from there to the Arctic Ocean. The Defence Line was built in 1940–41 and completed in 1944 at the end of the Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet Union.

In Joensuu, the Defence Line station’s concrete and stone fortifications are for the most part still visible today. The wooden constructions were dismantled immediately after the war. Two concrete bunkers have been restored and turned into exhibition bunkers, which are open during summertime.

The building of a major defence line began at the command of Marshal Mannerheim in 1940. Fortifications and blockades were built to form a unified line of defence along Finland’s eastern border. There never was any conflict along the Salpa Line, but its existence and importance were acknowledged afterwards during peace conferences.

The exhibition bunkers are open only during the opening hours. You can visit the area independently at your own risk when the bunkers are closed. Please notice there is no winter maintenance in the museum area. Access at your own risk.

Tickets

Adults 6€.

Students, pensioners, unemployed, children (1–18 years) 4€

Family ticket (2 aikuista ja 1-3 lasta) 15€

Payments with card only.

Please note! We do not accept Museum Card.