Louhisaari

About the museum

Louhisaari in Askainen is a manor castle representing palace architecture that is rare in Finland. The earliest known owner of the estate was Elin, who in the mid-15th century married the squire Magnus Fleming; the estate passed to the Fleming family and remained in its possession until 1791. The admiral and Governor-General of Finland Herman Classon Fleming (1619–1673) had the castle built. The manor later declined during the Great Wrath (the Russian occupation), and in the 18th century the castle was restored and fashionable life was lived within its walls.

In 1795 the estate was bought by the first Mannerheim to settle in Finland, and the Mannerheims owned Louhisaari until 1903. On the various floors of the manor castle, visitors can see 17th- to 19th-century interiors and learn about the lives of the owning families. Louhisaari and the Sarvilahti in Pernaja are the only manor buildings in Finland that represent Dutch classicism influenced by Italian Palladian architecture.

In the park stands the only Empire-style building of the manor castle, the Mannerheim sea bath, built in 1825 to drawings by A. F. Granstedt, which later served as a guest house and a park pavilion. The estate also has a utility garden, an orchard and a large English-style park, cultivated since 2016 in the spirit of the 18th century according to the teachings of Pehr Kalm.

Highlights

• Manor castle with influences from Palladian architecture
• History of the owning families, the Flemings and the Mannerheims
• 17th- to 19th-century interiors on several floors
• Kalm utility garden and English-style park
• Mannerheim sea bath from 1825

Permanent exhibitions

• Kartanolinnan interiöörit – On the various floors of the castle, 17th- to 19th-century interiors and the lives of the Fleming and Mannerheim families are presented.
• Kalmilainen hyötypuutarha ja puisto – The utility garden, orchard and English-style park with garden pavilions, cultivated according to the 18th-century teachings of Pehr Kalm.

Operated by

Suomen kansallismuseo

Admission & discounts

The Museokortti is accepted. Presentations in the courtyard and in the Kalm utility garden are included in the admission price. Card payment is recommended; cash is also accepted.

Accessibility

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

The step-free entrance is through the door at the western end of the main building, and step-free access is possible only on the ground floor of the manor castle. The other floors can be explored by means of a DVD presentation in the ground-floor women’s room (spoken and subtitled in Finnish, Swedish and English; also for visually and hearing-impaired visitors). Since 2006 the park has had a ceramic tactile scale model with descriptive texts in black print and Braille in Finnish and Swedish. Accessible parking spaces are closer to the castle, by its western side building. There is an accessible toilet in the side building. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome, and tours can be adapted to special needs.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Pushchairs can only be used on the ground floor of the manor castle. The nursery room is in the museum’s side building, and signs lead there from the main building.

Getting there & parking

The official road runs from Askainen church to the courtyard of the manor castle. Many map apps direct drivers coming from the Merimasku direction along a small gravel road through the fields, so it is best to drive first to Askainen church and follow the official road from there.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Louhisaari manor café is next to the car park: from Mother’s Day to the end of August, daily 10:30–17:00; at other times by order. Lunch is served 12:00–15:00. The museum shop is on the entrance level of the manor castle.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Meetings, family celebrations and weddings can be held in the café; there is room for a hundred people.

Plan your visit