Bullet Holes in the National Museum of Finland

Update as of March 2024: The museum is closed because of construction work and is estimated to open again to the public in spring 2027.

The decorative exterior door to the National Museum of Finland represents several traditional Finnish occupations. One of the trades depicted is that of a blacksmith, however, when visitors look closely the panel has an unusual detail⁠—a bullet hole in the head of the carved craftsman.

The Finnish Civil War of 1918 left the newly independent country scarred for decades. The bullet hole is a remnant of the war and was fired by the Reds from the old Russian barracks that were previously located on the current site of the Lasipalatsi.

When guests pass through the large metal door, they will notice the exit hole indicating the fired bullet passed through the big, heavy doors. The inner door also has a broken glass panel, showing the onward trajectory of the bullet. The bullet hole and broken inner glass pane have been persevered to commemorate the war.