Last weekend, our family drove to Lohja, a small town about 60 kilometers (around 45 minutes by car) from Helsinki, to explore the famous Tytyri Mine Experience (Tytyri Elämyskaivos). While part of the mine is still operational, another section has been converted into an underground adventure tourist attraction. Due to its resemblance to scenes from the movie "Resident Evil," I humorously dubbed our trip a "Parent-Child Resident Evil Adventure."
Upon arriving at the mine entrance, a small blue-gray wooden house quietly stood among the birch trees. A sign reading "Tytyri Elämyskaivos" immediately heightened the sense of mystery.
Our daughter excitedly posed with a "V" sign next to the mine's 100th-anniversary memorial stone. The modern building and late-winter forest behind seemed to hint at the upcoming adventure.
Inside the equipment room, colorful helmets were neatly arranged, resembling an equipment station from a video game. My wife and daughter carefully selected their gear, seemingly preparing for an actual adventure.
We took an elevator down 110 meters underground. The rough, cold rock walls, combined with exposed wires illuminated by colorful lights, gave us an authentic Resident Evil vibe.
Our fearless daughter crouched in the "deepest sandbox in the world," fully engrossed in her "archaeological mission," with scattered tools adding realism to the scene.
We then visited a vintage mining railway platform. Empty seats and deep tracks seemed ready to open doors to an unknown world at any moment.
Our daughter, wearing her helmet and pink jumpsuit, pointed attentively at a shadow on the wall as if she'd found an important clue.
Along the tracks, rusted phones, yellow switch panels, and a red "Turn Off Lights When Leaving" sign deepened the game's intense atmosphere.
Deep within the mine was a massive abandoned excavator, heavy and solemn, seemingly ready to "come alive" at any moment.
On our journey, we encountered other "adventurers" cautiously moving forward with flashlights, making it feel like a multiplayer video game.
The mine also preserved spaces showing miners' daily lives, such as a dining area with wooden tables and old items, silently narrating past stories. And yes, you're right—there was even a miners' sauna, unmistakably Finnish.
Under purple lighting, our daughter watched a documentary about the mine, searching intently for storyline clues.
Surprisingly, a fairy-tale-style wooden cottage awaited us deep within the mine. With wooden furniture, a mysterious blue "portal," and a giant plush monster, reality and fantasy blended seamlessly.
Our daughter happily took pictures with the giant plush monster and played joyfully on a swing adorned with flowers, creating a magical yet eerie scene.
Finally, we reached a treasure chamber filled with colorful mist, jewels, gold statues, crystals, and other props. Our daughter genuinely felt immersed in a game world, carefully searching for critical items.
Name: Tytyri Mine Experience
Address: Kuilukatu 42, 08100 Lohja, Finland
Website: https://www.tytyri.fi/en-FI
Opening Hours: Open year-round, guided tours recommended to book in advance.
Ticket Price: Approx. €18, free for children under 2 years old.
Notes: Warm clothing and suitable walking shoes recommended, as the mine maintains a year-round temperature of about 8°C.
The Tytyri Mine Experience is highly recommended for families, especially children full of curiosity. This place not only provides an authentic mine atmosphere but also blends educational, historical, and entertainment elements. If your child loves adventure and exploration, this "real-life Resident Evil" underground world in Finland should definitely not be missed!
