Kollaa and Simo Häyhä Museum
The Kollaa and Simo Häyhä museum is located in the historical Miettilä’s garrison area of Rautjärvi. The museum has two main attractions: an exhibition of the world-famous sniper Simo Häyhä “the White death” who was born in Rautjärvi in 1905, and an interesting collection of items from the Winter War era.
Museums collection of Häyhä is the largest in the world and it contains items such as hunting and military weapons, personal belongings and photographs. The museums exhibition of the Winter Wars Battle of Kollaa, entails genuine articles like clothing, photographs and other interesting objects. Museum guides are experts in the field of the Winter War and Häyhä and offer a great, in depth look into the subjects.
If you’d like to order additional food services, please contact us via phone, e-mail or this websites contact sheet. Food services can be arranged at the museum or at another location of your choosing. Museum offers coffee/tea and baked goods, other food options available per request.
www.kollaa-simohayha-museo.fi/en
Miettilä’s historical garrison area
Miettilä’s garrison area has a long history – it’s known that Swedish troops were in the area as early as 1600’s. The buildings were torn down by some point and rebuild by the Russians in 1878.
One of the buildings in the garrison houses the Rautjärvi local history museum. Perhaps the most impressive item of the museum is the scale model of Miettilä’s garrison area (1881-83). The model was constructed by the initiative of the legendary major general Aaro Astola (1925-1964).
Address: Kuntalanraitti 13, 56710 Miettilä
Other war history destinations
In addition to the destinations above, Rautjärvi has other locations and destinations that have great historical meaning. These locations are listed above and can also be found from the map on the bottom of this page.
11: Matomäki air survaillance
12: Asema war prison camp
13: KEK11 and Assistance KEK, cemetary
14: Kivijärvi strait
15: Prison cell of Jaeger-Jussi
16: Officers club and the Mannerheim-steps
17: Officers house and bomb shelter
18: Ritakoski powerplant and radio station
19: Änkilänmäki, summer of Simpele in -41
20: Laikko military airfield
Guided tours and food services
Rautjärvi’s main historical features can be summarized into two main themes: the border and war. Rautjärvi was first divided when the Treaty of Pähkinäsaari was established in 1323. Since then, the region has had border violations and hostility – and finally, war.
Rautjärvi has many guided tours and food services for all of the regions war history destinations. Going through the locations and scenes with a guide offers the most informative and interesting view of the regions history.
Food services can either be arranged on the destinations or set up at the restaurants, depending on your wants and wishes.
If you’d like to book a guided tour or food services, please contact us.