On the shore of the Gulf of Finland in the port of Kantasatam with the preserved port atmosphere is the Maritime Center "Vellamo" . This huge modern complex appeared in the very center of the Finnish town of Kotka in 2008 . and instantly gained incredible popularity . Only in the first year the museum was visited by more than 100 thousand . people, and today this number continues to increase . Externally the museum's building resembles a huge sea wave, in creating a unique architectural appearance of the museum, the original was applied a combination of glass, wood and concrete, and in the evening this whole structure is also effectively highlighted . The oldest ship-museum is adjacent to the main building: the Tarmo icebreaker, launched in 1907 . On the roof of the building there is an observation deck a place with a breathtaking view of the whole city and a boundless sea .

More about the museum

Under the roof of the Maritime Center "Vellamo" went Maritime Museum of Finland, Museum of Kymenlaakso and Information Center "Vellamo". The interior decoration of the exposition halls combines warm oak tones with black trim and bright light solutions. Within the maritime center there are exhibitions dedicated to the marine business in Kotka and Hamina, some of the expositions cover the history of shipbuilding in Suomi

The main exhibition of the Maritime Museum of Finland is devoted to the chronicles of navigation in the northern waters. Here you can see a collection of navigational instruments, a lot of reconstructed old ships, mock-ups of historical sailboats.

In the Museum of Kymenlaakso an attempt is made to comprehend the life and history of the southern Finnish province on the river Kymijoki. In an interactive mode, visitors will learn about the history of the district, about the cardinal changes that have occurred over the past centuries in the way of inhabitants, about the relationship between society and the individual. A separate section on the history of local maritime security appeared as a result of cooperation with the border guard service

The information center contains binderies printed books, books and magazines in electronic form.

In the territory of the Maritime Center "Vellamo", besides the museums and expositions, there is a cozy restaurant Laakonki and a gift shop Plootu. In summer, in good weather, open-air events are held in Vellamo.

Useful Information

Address: Kotka, Tornatorintie, 99.

Phone: +358 (0) 403- 50-04-97

Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00, Wednesday: 10:00 - 20:00, Monday: closed off

The working hours of the information center: Tuesday, Thursday: 10:00 - 16:00, Wednesday: 10:00 - 18:00, Friday: 10:00 - 15:00, Monday, Saturday, Sunday: closed. In July, the center does not work.

Entrance: 6-10 EUR, visit to the Tarmo icebreaker: 4 EUR, for children under 18 years, free admission. Every week in Vellamo organized tours in Russian, the cost: 6-10 EUR, for children under the age of 18.

You can get to "Vellamo" literally on all types of transport. For those who travel by car, there is a car parking, next to the main entrance, guests with disabilities will find special parking spaces. You can sail here and on the yacht, mooring it on the guest jetty. In addition, in "Vellamo" you can fly by helicopter: on the site there is a landing pad. From the bus station of Kotka to the sea center it is easy to walk: distance is only 1, 5 km

Prices are given for January 2015

Maritime Center "Vellamo" at night

Maritime Center "Vellamo"

Cater, Maritime Center "Vellamo"

Communications Unit, Maritime Center" Vellamo "

Miniature of the box, Maritime Center "Vellamo"