By Johanna Lemola
Finnish nature’s exquisite bounty comes near town with the opening of Haltia. “We want to convey the power of nature to promote physical and mental wellbeing”, says Päivi Rosqvist, spokesperson of Metsähallitus.
When you enter the main hall, you are surrounded by an 18-metre animated panorama landscape that takes you to Finnish nature. You follow nature’s annual cycle and experience it through sounds as well as the sights. Move on, as stunning encounters await you.
Step into nocturnal Finnish wilderness with all your senses alert and feel the magic of night surrounded by forest and mystical sounds of nature. Enter a wilderness hut, warm up next to the fire in the stove, and take a peek at majestic fells through the window. Crawl into a bear’s den and feel the hibernating animal breathe.
You are in Haltia. The new Finnish Nature Centre brings the best of Finnish nature to you, allowing you to experience nature’s richness and diversity, from the Finnish archipelago to fell tops in Lapland, just 30 kilometres from the Helsinki city centre.
Gateway to Finland
“Helsinki needs a window to Finnish nature”, recalls Päivi Rosqvist, citing the realisation that kicked off the development of Haltia at Metsähallitus around year 2000.
Metsähallitus is a Finnish state institution that administers over 12 million hectares of state-owned land and water including all national parks, as well as the parks’ nature centres.
Rosqvist, the Metsähallitus spokesperson, explains that one of the main reasons for international visitors to come to Finland is nature. “But most visitors only come to Helsinki,” she says.
“Moreover, many residents of the Helsinki metropolitan area never have the opportunity to visit the wilderness, and many of them aren’t even familiar with the local green areas.”
“We concluded that we needed a place in the Helsinki area where both visitors and locals could see and experience Finnish nature. Further, we wanted to convey the power of nature to promote physical and mental wellbeing to more people. Our result is Haltia, a gateway to Finnish nature located at the threshold of the Nuuksio National Park in Espoo.”
The Finnish Nature Centre Haltia opened to the public at the end of May 2013.
“Go out to nature!”
“Haltia encourages people to go out to nature,” Rosqvist says. “We do this both through the exhibitions and by helping our visitors to enjoy the surrounding Nuuksio nature.”
The main exhibition is composed of nature films and photographs. It introduces visitors to all 37 national parks of Finland. A video art installation by Finnish artist Osmo Rauhala depicting two swans playing chess is a comment on the creation of the world.
The Green Belt exhibition presents the Helsinki metropolitan area’s string of green areas. A touch-screen map guides visitors through Nuuksio. Thematic temporary exhibitions offer fresh perspectives to nature and culture.
Two circle trails from Haltia into the Nuuksio park allow visitors to include short hikes in their Haltia visits, and guided hiking tours are available for groups.
Haltia also feeds visitors in a nature-oriented style. The Haltia in-house restaurant offers meals and snacks specialising in local and organic foods and honouring Finnish culinary traditions.
Green architecture inspired by Finnish mythology
At the core of the main exhibition hall is a giant wooden egg of a Goldeneye duck that houses the swan video art installation. The entire building resembles a duck hatching an egg. The inspiration to the architectural design came from the poem in the Finnish national epic Kalevala on the creation of the world: the earth was created from pieces of a mythological Goldeneye’s egg.
All of Haltia has to do with the earth. The building itself, as well as its exhibitions, celebrates and preserves the earth’s resources.
Haltia is built from wood, a renewable natural resource. The building solutions promote sustainability by helping to minimise the carbon footprint. For example, Haltia utilises solar and geothermal energy for heating and cooling, achieving 75-percent self-sufficiency in heating energy and 100-percent self-sufficiency in cooling energy. Energy needs are reduced by the roundish building shape and a green roof. Building technologies include self-adjusting air conditioning and lighting.
The Haltia architect, Professor Rainer Mahlamäki of Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects, considers Haltia one of the central works of his acclaimed career, which has produced other museums that celebrate nature. He explains:
“Nature is a myth in Finland. It has powerfully inspired Finnish culture, art and architecture, and it’s still a relevant theme. Haltia continues that tradition. I have approached this much anticipated and important cultural building with the highest respect for the task.”
Reach Haltia by public transport:
Summertime daytrips from Helsinki city centre to Haltia
Buses depart daily from the Kiasma charter bus stop, Mannerheiminaukio 2:
9:30, 11:30, 14:30
Daily departures from Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, Nuuksiontie 84:
12:30, 15:00, 17:00
Round-trip fares include admission to the Haltia main exhibition:
- Adults (18+) €20
- Children (6-17) €12
More information on the bus service: www.haltia.com/visit-haltia/getting-there