Millesgården

About the museum

The artist couple Carl and Olga Milles bought a plot on the Herserudsklippan on Lidingö, high above Värtan, in 1907 in order to create a home with studios. The house was designed by the architect Carl M. Bengtsson and completed in 1908. Over the following decades the complex was extended together with Carl's half-brother, the architect Evert Milles.

Significant additions were made in 1911–1913, when an open-air studio in the form of a loggia was built, and in the 1920s, when neighbouring properties were bought, the middle terrace was laid out and the sculpture garden was extended with another studio, Lilla Ateljén. The couple lived in the United States from 1931 to 1950, where Carl Milles worked at Cranbrook.

In 1936 Millesgården was established as a foundation and given as a gift to the Swedish people. When the couple returned to Europe in 1950, work began on the Lower Terrace with monumental replicas of sculptures and fountain groups, and the couple moved into Annes Hus. Carl Milles died in 1955.

Today Millesgården is an independent, non-profit art institution. The art hall, designed by the architect Johan Celsing, opened in 1999 and shows exhibitions as a contemporary complement to the sculpture park and the artist home.

Highlights

• The sculpture park with Carl Milles' works on terraces above Värtan
• The artist home with Stora Ateljén
• The antiques collection
• The art hall from 1999
• A view over the entrance to Stockholm

Permanent exhibitions

• Skulpturparken – Terraced gardens with Carl Milles' sculptures and a view over Värtan.
• Konstnärshemmet – Carl and Olga Milles' home with Stora Ateljén and the couple's antiques collection.

Founded

1936

Operated by

Millesgården Museum (stiftelse)

Director

Onita Wass

Admission & discounts

The museum is cashless: payment by card or Swish on site. Tickets and annual passes can also be bought online. Pensioners also get 10% off in the museum shop on Fridays.

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 sculpture park is on terraces with many steps and is not wheelchair accessible; the same applies to the artist home with Stora Ateljén and the antiques collection. The art hall from 1999 is accessible, with a lift, ramps and toilets. Three wheelchairs and three baby carriers can be borrowed at reception.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

The children's trail, the angel hunt and Millesquiz are included for children from about age 5, and most children's activities are free. Changing tables are in the art hall, between Lanthandeln and Annes hus, and outside the artist home. Prams can be parked under cover at the main entrance; only the lower terrace is easy to reach with a pram.

Getting there & parking

About 20 minutes' travel from T-Centralen. A cycle path runs over the Lidingö bridge.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Millesgården Lanthandel, a café serving organic ingredients and a children's menu, is on one of the terraces. A museum shop is on the grounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Premises and weddings can be hired; see the website page Hyra lokal/Vigsel.

Plan your visit