Last chance to visit Tullimuseum this summer: Dive into the world of car ferries and smuggling

By admin On Aug 8, 2024

The Customs Museum is located in Susisaari, Suomenlinna. Photo: Customs

The Suomenlinna Customs Museum, always free to enter, invites visitors to explore the fascinating world of customs operations and the history of Baltic Sea car ferries. Open until September 1st, the museum welcomes guests from Tuesday to Sunday, 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

The summer season at the Customs Museum has been vibrant, and there’s still time to visit before it closes for the season.

With a new route video making it easier to find, the museum offers both a permanent exhibition on the history of customs and a rotating themed exhibition.

In August, visitors can still delve into the history of Finnish customs, learn about car ferries, smuggling tales, and the work of the Customs Laboratory.

The “Ferries from the West” themed exhibition takes a nostalgic look at the history of customs and car ferries on the Baltic Sea. Through vintage ferry artifacts, models, and items from customs operations, the exhibition provides a deep dive into the world of car ferries.

Today, Baltic Sea ferries are known for their experiences, shopping, and entertainment. Since the mid-20th century, they have been a crucial link to the West for Finland and its people, with Sweden and Germany as primary destinations, later joined by Estonia and traffic to Tallinn. The exhibition highlights the significant role of customs, including regulations and the fight against smuggling.

Visitors can see brochures, souvenirs, and photos showcasing the colorful history of car ferries, and discover why they were such a hit in the Baltic Sea region.

Walk Through Customs History and Explore Smuggling

The permanent exhibition at the Customs Museum traces the history of Finnish customs from the medieval era to the present day. Key themes include the development of customs methods, major changes in customs operations, and the perennial challenge of combating smuggling. The exhibition also examines the work of the Customs Laboratory, featuring intriguing case examples of customs work. Visitors can explore items smuggled during Prohibition and various confiscated goods.

The permanent exhibition is currently being updated, with new displays including the border bailiff’s wolf fur coat, on show for the first time this summer. The exhibition will see a more extensive update next summer.

The Customs Museum will close its doors on September 1, 2024. However, guided group tours can be arranged in the fall. The exhibitions will reopen to the public next spring.

Spend a summer day at Suomenlinna and stop by the Customs Museum located in Susisaari. Admission is always free.

For more information and to view the route video, visit the museum’s website.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi