Visavuori

About the museum

Visavuori is the studio home of sculptor Emil Wikström, which he designed and had built in the Sääksmäki landscape in 1893–1912. It was the first wilderness studio inspired by the Finnish national idea, and Wikström's artist friends, such as Axel Gallén, Pekka Halonen, Jean Sibelius and Eero Järnefelt, also settled in the same landscape.

The first log castle in the Karelian spirit was destroyed by fire in 1896. Afterwards Wikström built the home and the studio as separate buildings: the present residential building was completed in 1902 and the studio building a year later. The furnishings and fittings of the log residential building are original. The studio building, which breathes Central European Art Nouveau, is like a small castle, and it included Finland's first bronze foundry, a darkroom and its own observatory tower. The 1912 extension added a winter garden and an organ gallery.

The Visavuori Museum Foundation was established in 1966, and the Wikström estate donated the artworks and buildings with their contents to it. The museum opened to the public in 1967. In 1988 cartoonist Kari Suomalainen donated his entire output to the foundation, which includes about 8,000 daily drawings, and the Kari-paviljonki, designed by Erkki Helama, was built as its home and completed in 1990. The pavilion has theme exhibitions based on Kari Suomalainen's works as well as exhibitions by visiting artists.

Highlights

• Emil Wikström's original log residential building and the Art Nouveau-inspired studio building
• Finland's first bronze foundry and a winter garden beside the studio
• Kari-paviljonki, Finland's funniest museum, with Kari Suomalainen's cartoons
• The garden of Visavuori and the landscape of Sääksmäki
• Museum café in the old foundry of the studio building

Permanent exhibition

• Emil Wikströmin taiteilijakoti – The guided tour presents Emil Wikström's original residential building and studio building.

Founded

1967

Operated by

Visavuoren museosäätiö

Admission & discounts

Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted at Visavuori. Admission can be paid at the ticket desk in cash or with the most common debit and credit cards, and invoicing is possible for groups.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 Kari-paviljonki is step-free for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs, and it has an accessible toilet and a baby-changing room. There is a lift between the lower and upper floors of the pavilion. Otherwise the terrain and buildings of Visavuori are difficult to get around: from the boat jetty to the museum area there is a steep climb with steps, and Emil Wikström's residential building and studio cannot be reached without stairs.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Sääksmäki in Valkeakoski, close to the Helsinki–Tampere motorway (E12). On the north side of the museum area there is a guest boat jetty without overnight facilities.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

In summer the museum café operates in the old foundry of the studio building for 35–50 people; from autumn onward it is open to groups by reservation only. The museum shop is open during museum opening hours. Pets may not be brought into the museum premises.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit