Ainola

About the museum

Jean and Aino Sibelius wanted their own peaceful home close to nature. The family had been living in Helsinki, and a suitable place was found in the circle of the artists’ community at Tuusulanjärvi: a plot in Järvenpää was bought in 1903. The main building was designed by architect Lars Sonck. Construction began in autumn 1903, and the family moved into the house in autumn 1904. The composer had two wishes: a view of Tuusulanjärvi from his study window, and a green stove in the dining room.

Most of Sibelius’s compositions were written at Ainola. The house remained the family’s private home until the death of Aino Sibelius in 1969. In 1972 the Sibelius daughters sold the property, together with its furnishings and art collections, to the state, and Ainola opened to the public in June 1974. The museum is run by the Ainolasäätiö (Ainola Foundation).

The museum area includes the main building and outbuildings, the sauna, and a garden and forest of about four hectares, where the grave of Aino and Jean is also located. The visitor service building houses the ticket desk, the museum shop and the Aulis café. The museum is open in the summer season from May to the end of September.

Highlights

• Home of Jean and Aino Sibelius from 1904
• Log villa designed by Lars Sonck
• Garden and forest of about four hectares
• Grave of Aino and Jean in the garden
• Aulis café and museum shop in the visitor service building

Permanent exhibition

• Ainolan kotimuseo – The home of the composer’s family with its furnishings: the main building, grand piano, library and artworks, as well as the outbuildings and the garden.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Ainolasäätiö sr

Director

Julia Donner

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free days in 2027: 18 May, 10 August and 24 September.

Prices for the summer season 2027. The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) and Kaikukortti are accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

The ticket and café building can be reached step-free along a sand path. A step-free lift is available at the entrance terrace of the museum building, and staff will help you use it. The building has thresholds and narrow doors, but the museum can be visited with a rollator or a wheelchair. The garden paths are only partly step-free: the forest path is about one metre wide, has steep sections and can be soft in rain. There is a bench halfway up the steep slope leading to the museum. Easy-read and audio-described guided tours are available. Only guide dogs may enter the museum and the garden; dogs are welcome on the café terrace.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Children are welcome, and there are paths and things to do for them. Pushchairs cannot be taken into the museum building; they can be left on the entrance terrace. The accessible toilet has a changing table, and a potty and a toilet seat reducer can be borrowed. Two high chairs can be borrowed from the café.

Getting there & parking

There is a bicycle rack inside the gate.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Aulis café and the museum shop are in the visitor service building. The café offers handmade baked goods, with ingredients coming mainly from Ainola’s own garden. The shop sells Sibelius-themed books, records and postcards.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit