J. L. Runebergin koti

About the museum

The Runeberg Home in the old town of Porvoo is the former home of the national poet J. L. Runeberg (1804–1877) and the writer Fredrika Runeberg (1807–1879). Runeberg lived in the house with his family from 1852 until his death. The home has been preserved as a writer's home of the 1860s, and it has operated as a museum since 1882, which makes it the oldest house museum in Finland.

Many of the museum's furnishings, works of art and dishes belonged to the Runeberg family, and many of the home's houseplants descend from Fredrika's cuttings. In the courtyard of the house is Fredrika's garden, one of the few surviving 19th-century town gardens; it is open from spring to autumn.

The museum is maintained by the City of Porvoo. In addition to the basic exhibition, the museum has changing theme exhibitions, and each year the home celebrates Runeberg Day on 5 February.

Highlights

• Original furniture and objects of the Runeberg family in the 1860s home
• Finland's oldest house museum, opened in 1882
• Fredrika's garden in summer
• Museum shop
• Theme guided tours: Fredrika Runeberg, the garden and Christmas

Permanent exhibition

• Runebergin kodin perusnäyttely – The basic exhibition presents the writer's home of the 1860s, the objects of the Runeberg family, and Fredrika's home and garden.

Founded

1882

Operated by

Porvoon kaupunki

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on 5 February (Runeberg Day), 18 May (International Museum Day) and 2 September (Fredrika Runeberg's birthday).

Museokortti is accepted. Free admission also with ICOM, PRESS and OPAS cards. Culture and sports vouchers are not accepted.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance has high steps, and the courtyard is sandy and uneven; the step-free entrance is at the back of the building, and the gate on the Runeberginkatu side is opened on request. There is a stair lift on the steps, reached via a fairly steep metal ramp; it is not suitable for large electric wheelchairs (max. 300 kg), and staff will help. The outbuilding has a wheelchair-accessible toilet, reached by a ramp. An induction loop is available if arranged in advance. The winter rooms can be dim. Pushchairs cannot be taken through the museum for reasons of object safety; they are left in the courtyard or on the porch.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Playground / play area

Under-18s enter free. In summer there is the Leiki ja opi (Play and Learn) play area in the courtyard. Pushchairs are left in the courtyard or on the porch.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop has free entry and is open during the same hours as the museum. In spring there may be cuttings of Fredrika's houseplants available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit