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The Seinäjoki Defence Corps building

Address: Kauppakatu 17, 60100 Seinäjoki, Finland Open Google map

Entrance fee: 4 € - 6 € / person

Themes: Classicism, Cultural buildings, Museums

Website: Alvar Aalto in Seinäjoki

Opening hours

Fall/Winter/Spring
Wednesday 12 noon – 6 pm
Thursday, Friday and Sunday 12 noon – 4 pm
Summer
1 June – 31 August:
Tuesday–Wednesday 12 noon – 7 pm
Thursday–Sunday 12 noon – 5 pm

The Defence Corps building was commissioned by the Southern Ostrobothnia Defence Corps, which used the three-storey building with mixed functions as its headquarters. The main building was originally used as offices for the Civil Guard of South Ostrobothnia and the Lotta Svärd Association. The top tier of the building was in residential use. 

The semi-subterranean ground floor, which contains a circular assembly hall, foyer and cloakroom, is built of stone; the office level and the residential storey (at the top with its own access stairs) are of wood. Together with the main building, a separate outbuilding was designed and erected on the other side of the courtyard. The ground floor of this two-storey building of rendered brick contains a garage, guardhouse, arms depot, sauna, and laundry; there are four small apartments in the upper storey. An unusual stair arrangement on both sides of the arched entrance provides separate access to most of the various facilities. One of the short sides of the courtyard is enclosed by a low wooden storehouse, designed some years later. The courtyard itself was intended as a drill and parade ground.

After the Second World War the building was re purposed for other uses. Since then many tenants have been operating in the building, including The Federation of Finnish youth association, a school and a travel agency. Nowadays the building is managed by the Provincial Museum of Southern Ostrobothnia. Currently it houses the Civil Guard and Lotta Svärd Museum. The main building holds museum exhibition and meeting spaces, an info booth and museum shop. The outbuilding has more exhibition spaces and a administration space for the museum.

The Defence Corps building has been preserved in its original condition and it’s buildings and their yard have also been protected under the law regarding building protection since 2002. 

The building represents refined neoclassicism and functionalist features as well as Ostrobothnian construction heritage. The building’s unusual stair hall, facade pilasters, and assembly hall painted in Pompeiian style make it one of the chief works of Alvar Aalto’s Neo-Classical period. Some part of the decorations in the buildings, including furniture, lamps and ornament details were also designed by Aalto. 

Aalto originally designed a loggia-like staircase for the end entrance, but it was not built.

The Suojeluskuntalainen statue, work by artist Pentti Papinaho is located in the yard of The Defence Corps building.

The Seinäjoki Defence Corps building currently houses Civil Guard and Lotta Svärd museum. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation

The courtyard was intended as a drill and parade ground. Picture: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation

The building represents refined neoclassicism and functionalist features as well as Ostrobothnian construction heritage. The building's unusual stair hall, facade pilasters, and assembly hall painted in Pompeiian style make it one of the chief works of Alvar Aalto’s Neo-Classical period.
Seinäjoen suojeluskuntalotalo, kokoussalin kattovalaisin
Light fixture of the the circular assembly hall in The Defence Corps building. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation
Seinäjoen suojeluskuntalotalo
Some part of the decorations in the The Defence Corps building, including furniture, lamps and ornament details were also designed by Aalto. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation
Seinäjoen suojeluskuntalotalo
The The Defence Corps building represents refined neoclassicism and functionalist features as well as Ostrobothnian construction heritage. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation

Information for visitors

Good to know

Arriving to Seinäjoki

Seinäjoki is located approximately 400 kilometres away from Helsinki. From Helsinki you can reach Seinäjoki with a train or by Onnibus or by Matkahuolto bus. The Seinäjoki Defence Corps building is located on Kauppakatu 17. It is within walking distance (500m) from the Travel Centre in Seinäjoki. Seinäjoki also has a good public transport systemCurrently the building houses the Civil Guard and Lotta Svärd Museum and you can reach them by calling +358 6 416 2734. You can reach Seinäjoki taxi service by calling +358 100 84 999.

Opening hours for The Seinäjoki Defence Corps building:

Wednesday from 12 am to 6 pm

Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 pm.

Summer season (1 June–31 August)

Tuesday–Wednesday from 12 noon to 7 pm

Thursday – Sun from 12 noon to 5 pm

The main building includes exhibition and meeting facilities, information desk and a museum shop. The building in the yard is the administrative office for the exhibition facilities and the museum.

Entrance fees:

Adult 6 €

Children and youngsters (8–18 years) 4 €

Students, pensioners, unemployed 4 €

Free entry on Wednesdays.

Read more about the attractions of the Aalto Centre in Seinäjoki on the Visit Seinäjoki tourism site

Read and hear more about Alvar Aalto and the attractions in Seinäjoki

Read more about arriving to Seinäjoki and other Aalto sights in the city 

Further information

Travel programs and guided tours in Seinäjoki region with Visit Lakeus Oy Inquiries via email sales@visitlakeus.fi or by calling +358 (0)6 420 9090.