We’re so happy to have you here. This is a place where history and adventure come together, sharing the stories of gold prospectors from Finland and around the world.

Take your time exploring the exhibits, learn about the fascinating history of gold, and maybe even try some gold panning yourself. If you need any help or have questions along the way, just let us know—we’re here to make sure you have a great visit.

Enjoy your time at the museum!

The present main building of the museum was opened in 1983 to accommodate the basic exhibition. It is a permanent display which shows the use and treatment of gold, the various purposes for which gold is used and the history of gold prospecting in Lapland, Finland.

Golden World, the international exhibition covering the gold tradition in the entire world, was opened in 1995. It was built in cooperation with over 20 countries.

Lapland's Golden Legacy

The gold history of Lapland is not comparable to the great gold rushes of the world. However, gold has had a major impact on the overall development of Northern Lapland and, in particular, on tourism of today. The earliest written record of gold in Lapland dates back to 1539, but the first true gold rush took place centuries later, in 1870 on the Ivalojoki River. The latest rush was relatively recent and took place in the 1980s; nowadays gold prospecting still pursues mainly as a hobby for over 4000 people, but among them there are even a dozen of professional gold prospectors.