Engines, Technology, and Kinetic Energy

Electric cars, electric planes, and ships powered by LNG gas all represent new forms of movement. But in the Vaasa region, there are also great opportunities to explore vehicles from the past. On a museum tour through engines and technical devices, you’ll also discover the roots of Vaasa’s modern development as a forerunner in future energy solutions.

Vaasa Car and Motor Museum is Finland’s largest privately owned car museum. It houses vehicles ranging from Porsche to Triumph, Formula cars to locally manufactured engines.

The museum is a must-visit for anyone even slightly interested in technology, but it’s also a charming nostalgic experience for those who see cars and other vehicles simply as tools for getting from point A to point B. Speaking of getting around—perhaps a trip to Björköby could be something for you?

In Björköby, you’ll find the Mårtes Engine Museum. Part of a larger farm museum, this museum holds over 170 engine-related items from across the archipelago. The oldest artifacts date back to the late 1920s—the very decade when cars became more common in Finland. One might wonder if people were already driving on Replot’s roads back then? Today, you can zoom off to Replot quickly thanks to the bridge connection, but up until the 1950s, the islands were quite isolated without regular road ferry service.

Another tip, especially for those interested in old motorcycles: about a 30-minute drive north of Vaasa, in Maxmo, you’ll find Klemetsgårdarna, which features an exhibition that includes motorcycles among other historic items.

Given the sea’s constant presence in the Vaasa region, it’s no surprise that there are many collections connected to maritime history. Vaasa Maritime Museum is also located in a historic area—ships set sail for the world from “Palosaaren salmi” already in the 1800s.

The exhibition, featuring boat engines, miniature sailing ship models, and numerous maritime artifacts, takes you on a time journey filled with exciting stories from the lives of lighthouse keepers and shipowners. Shipwreck finds serve as a reminder of Kvarken’s rocky and shallow waters, but luckily, technology has advanced enough to allow safe boating today so visitors can enjoy the unique archipelago.

Whether you’re traveling by car or boat, you can continue your journey from the Vaasa Maritime Museum to the Kvarken Boat Museum in Malax. There, visitors are greeted by traditional red boathouses, and upon stepping through the yellow doors, you’ll learn even more about the region’s seafaring history. Among the rare exhibits are Zacharias Topelius’s dinghy “Gröngölingen” and many flat-bottomed log boats (ökstockar, ekor) from various parts of Ostrobothnia.

In the energetic Vaasa region, people have always moved forward at a fast pace. Whether you’re interested in technology, the history or future of transportation—or both—we warmly welcome you!