Lost Lighthouses exhibition at the Maritime Museum of Finland from 18 May to 21 October 2018

Exhibitions

Lost Lighthouses exhibition displays through stories and photographs some of the lighthouses Finland has lost, in one way or another. The exhibition leads visitors to lost cultural heritage.

Lighthouses and lighted beacons are a part of our architectural and cultural history, maritime history and sea safety. They are home islands, fixed points, memories and, in many cases, also battle grounds and innocent victims of the war years. Some lighthouses have vanished from view as a result of storms and destruction. Wars have also taken their toll: lighthouses were demolished by Finnish troops and some also by the enemy. The majority of the lost Finnish lighthouses were, however, lost in connection with the cession of territory as a result of the terms of peace.  

A part of the charm of lighthouses lies in their massive size and also their location on remote rocks, at the mercy of the weather. Also the lifestyle of lighthouse islets, life on the rough rocks surrounded by the sea, isolated from the rest of society, has helped shape the mythical aspect of lighthouses.  

Many of the lost lighthouses are familiar, at least by name: Suursaari, Hanhipaasi and Ruuskeri. For some of the lighthouses, only the foundation exists today, but some are still in existence. The exhibition, produced by Forum Marinum, is based on a nonfictional book by the same title by Johanna Pakola and Seppo Laurell.  

Join us in exploring the ever-fascinating lighthouses!  

Lost Lighthouses is open at the Maritime Centre Vellamo from 18 May to 21 October 2018.  

Further information
Curator Erik Tirkkonen, erik.tirkkonen@kansallismuseo.fi, tel. +358 295 33 6494  

Media images

MARITIME MUSEUM OF FINLAND
Maritime Centre Vellamo, Tornatorintie 99, Kotka
Open
1.1.–24.6. and 13.8.–31.12.2018: Tue, Thu-Sun 10–17, Wed 10–20
25.6.–12.8.2018: Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 10–18, Wed 10–20
tel. +358 40 350 0497, info@merikeskusvellamo.fi 
www.merikeskusvellamo.fi