Paateri

About the museum

Paateri is the home of sculptor Eva Ryynänen (1915–2001) and her husband Paavo Ryynänen in Vuonisjärvi, Lieksa. The couple settled on the farm in 1944, and for about 30 years farming was their main occupation. Eva carved art alongside the farm work. When she established herself as an artist in the 1970s, the farm’s cowshed was converted into a studio and the livestock was given up.

Ryynänen became known to the wider public through the exhibition Puusta puonnut (Carved from Wood) at the Amos Anderssonin taidemuseo (Amos Andersson Art Museum) in 1974, and a wood sculpture exhibition at the Tampereen nykytaiteen museo (Museum of Contemporary Art Tampere) in 1983 broke the museum’s visitor record. She was awarded the title of professor in 1998. Around 500 sculptures were completed at Paateri over the years, most of them made of wood.

The wooden Paaterin kirkko (Paateri Church), completed in 1991, is Eva’s largest and best-known work. A bishop blessed it at Midsummer 1991. The church’s logs are 300–500 years old, and the large root stump forming the altar comes from a 136-year-old spruce in Ruokolahti. The City of Lieksa supported the artist’s home as a tourist destination and helped fund, among other things, the construction of the church and the gallery café. Paateri has operated as a museum since the beginning of 2013.

Highlights

• Some 500 sculptures by Eva Ryynänen
• Paaterin kirkko, built entirely of wood in 1991
• The Ryynänen family’s original home
• Studio converted from a cowshed
• Gallery café in a building designed by the artist

Permanent exhibitions

• Eva Ryynäsen ateljee – The studio, converted from a cowshed and stable, is full of Ryynänen’s wooden sculptures, and there are also photo exhibitions about her work.
• Ryynästen kotitalo – The original home of Eva and Paavo Ryynänen has been preserved as a farmhouse, with the family’s personal objects on display.
• Paaterin kirkko – The church, made entirely of wood, is Eva Ryynänen’s largest single work; the altar is made from a root stump.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Pielisen museo (Lieksan kaupunki)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Eva and Paavo Day, 15 June

Prices for the summer season 15 May–15 September 2026. The guided tour is included in the admission price during the summer season. Paateri is a Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) venue. Admission is also free for holders of a valid ICOM card, museum staff cards, the Finnish Guides’ Association (Suomen opasliitto) card and press cards (the cards are personal), group leaders and bus drivers of groups of more than 10 people, teachers and supervisors of school groups, and wedding, concert and church guests. Outside opening hours, the group opening fee is €40 (2026) and guided tours start at €95.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The car park has no marked accessible spaces, but if you ask at the ticket desk, the car gate to the museum area can be opened, and people with mobility impairments can be driven closer by car. The paths are wide and have gravel surfaces. The accessible toilet is on street level in the café building. The doors of the café, the studio and the church have a small threshold, which can be crossed in a wheelchair or with a rollator. The Ryynänen family home is reached by a ramp with railings; the doorway is about 82 cm wide. In the house, shoes are usually taken off on the porch, but people with mobility impairments may keep them on. A guide can be asked for help, for example with opening doors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Paateri is in Vuonisjärvi, about 27 km from the centre of Lieksa. It is signposted from main road 73 (from the Korpijärvi junction) and from Vuonislahdentie; the last two kilometres run on Paateri’s private road. From Vuonislahti station it is about 8.5 km by road.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The gallery café is in the building designed by Eva Ryynänen, next to the ticket sales, and serves during the museum’s opening hours, 10:00–18:00. The café’s atmosphere can also be enjoyed without an admission ticket.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit