The first Arctic museum in Finland. A peat house in northern Greenland has served as a model for the main building. Large collections of hunting weapons and tools from Arctic regions.

• Open in summertime. At other times by appointment.
• Entry fee.
• Guided tours.
• Café.

FÄBODA, FI-68600 JAKOBSTAD, FINLAND

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The Arctic museum Nanoq - which is the word for polar bear in Greenland - was built by polar explorer Pentti Kronqvist and a large group of enthusiasts. The museum was opened in 1991 as the first Arctic museum in Finland.

A peat house in northern Greenland has served as a model for the main building of Nanoq. This peat house is considered to be the northernmost building in the world. In the same manner as peat houses fit in with their environment, Nanoq has been carefully integrated into the surrounding natural environment. The main building is surrounded by cottages built of timber from demolished buildings. The museum reflects an ecological way of thinking.

Nanoq has large collections of hunting weapons and tools from Arctic regions. Objects from Greenland, as well as northern Scandinavia and Canada are on display.

The museum also exhibits equipment used at various polar expeditions. The visitor can learn about the expedition to Spitsbergen in the 1770s led by John Phipp, where the renowned admiral Horatio Nelson was one of the fellow-travellers. There are items connected with the disastrous air passage of S.A. Andrée in 1897, as well as objects and documents associated with the Norwegian polar explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen.

Nanoq also displays soapstone figures made by Canadian Inuits, and holds changing Arctic exhibitions. Every year the museum holds thematic exhibitions in co-operation with institutions in Finland and abroad.

Nanoq has a large library and film archive. The museum has developed into a research centre on Arctic cultures.