The Original Friitala Leather Museum

The Friitala Leather Museum is a specialty museum dedicated to the leather industry and maintained by the City of Ulvila. The museum preserves and presents tangible and intangible cultural heritage related to leather production and the operations of the Friitala Leather Factory. The factory was established in 1892, and leather garment production continued until 2010.

The museum’s permanent exhibition, “FRIITALA ERA,” showcases the history of this leather industry giant — a pioneer in leather production and fashion — and explores the industrial community that grew around the factory over its more than 100-year history. In addition to the permanent display, the museum hosts rotating temporary exhibitions. It is open year-round from Tuesday to Friday.

The Friitala Leather Museum is located in the Friitala House, a former leather factory. In addition to the museum, the Friitala House is home to various businesses from different industries, as well as a lunch restaurant and a bakery.