Villa Gyllenberg

About the museum

Signe and Ane Gyllenberg founded a medical research foundation in 1949. Art became an important part of the foundation when Ane donated her significant art collection to it in 1966. The aim was to make the collection accessible to the public, and this gave rise to the idea of a museum connected to the couple's home.

The museum is located in Signe's and Ane's former home, whose original part was designed by Matti Finell. The house was extended in 1955. In 1980 an annex, i.e. a gallery, was completed, designed by the architectural firm Ålander – Packalén – Korsström. Both Signe and Ane Gyllenberg died in 1977, and Villa Gyllenberg was officially opened in December 1980.

The museum's activities and visitor numbers grew strongly in the 2010s, and the premises were thoroughly renovated in 2020–21. At the same time, an extension designed by the architects Nomad was built, with a new entrance, a foyer and a museum shop.

In the old part of the museum, that is the former home, Finnish Golden Age art and older European art are on display. The furnishings of the salon and dining rooms include the couple's own furniture and objects. On the second floor is Ane's study and a documentary film of about 20 minutes about the foundation and Ane Gyllenberg. The gallery hosts a couple of special exhibitions each year; at other times it shows a selection of works from the museum's own collection.

Highlights

• Finnish Golden Age art
• Older European art
• Signe and Ane's originally furnished home
• Ane's study and documentary film
• Café Signe and summer terrace

Permanent exhibition

• Kotimuseo – The former home of Signe and Ane displays Finnish Golden Age art and older European art, together with the couple's original furniture and objects.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Signe ja Ane Gyllenbergin säätiö

Admission & discounts

Free admission: In 2026 admission is free on 14 February (Valentine's Day), 12 June (Helsinki Day), 20 August (Night of the Arts), 31 October (All Saints' Day) and 6 December (Independence Day).

Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted. Free admission also with ICOM and ICOMOS cards, a press card, for the unemployed and for staff of professional museums; the card or document is shown at the ticket desk. Smartum, Edenred and ePassi culture vouchers, cards and apps are accepted as payment. For guided visits longer than two hours, an additional €50/h (weekdays) or €100/h (weekends) is charged, plus €10 per invoice.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 new part of the museum (entrance, museum shop, gallery and café) is easy to reach, and the main entrance is step-free. Beside the gallery stairs is a platform lift with room for one adult at a time; staff can help. A wheelchair can be borrowed from the museum. The home museum is not step-free, as there are stairs between the rooms and the upper floor can only be reached by stairs. The foyer and gallery have benches, and light folding chairs can be borrowed. Induction loops are located at the information desk and in the gallery ceiling. The accessible toilet in the foyer has a baby-changing table. Dogs are not admitted, but guide dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Under-18s enter free.

Getting there & parking

At the start of Kuusisaarenpolku there is a city bike station. A car can stop briefly at the main door of the museum, for example when transporting people with disabilities.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café Signe is next to the gallery and is open during museum opening hours on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 12:00–16:30; the café has 30 seats and, in summer, a terrace (16 seats). The café accepts card payment only. In winter, studded shoes are left at the cloakroom, and slippers can be borrowed from there.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit