Villa Gyllenberg - A Private Home with Fantastic Art

Mika Vepsalainen
11 minutes ago
2 min read

Join us for a visit to one of Helsinki’s most enchanting secrets: Villa Gyllenberg, the former private home of Signe and Ane Gyllenberg, now a museum housing one of the finest private collections of Finnish art.

Inside the villa, you’ll encounter masterpieces by the greats of Finland’s Golden Era, such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Albert Edelfelt, Tyko Sallinen, and many more. Perhaps the brightest jewel in the collection is the extraordinary array of works by Helene Schjerfbeck. The Gyllenbergs were passionate admirers of her work, amassing what is today the largest Schjerfbeck collection outside the Finnish National Gallery, 26 original pieces from the family’s private collection, complemented by a dozen later acquisitions.

Beyond the art, Villa Gyllenberg offers a glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of one of Finland’s wealthiest families of the 20th century. Explore rooms filled with original furniture, fine porcelain, silverware, and a library of hundreds of rare books. Even the rugs underfoot are original, preserving the authentic atmosphere of the family home - step on them carefully!

Designed in 1938 by architect Matti Finell, the villa was a sensation in its time, a stunning example of Finnish modernism with its flat roof, sweeping windows, and seaside views. Finell later added a refined dining room and a rarity for the era: an outdoor pool.

Today, the Gyllenberg Foundation maintains the villa and supports medical research with its proceeds. Opened as a museum in 1980, the house offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience both a world-class art collection and a preserved piece of Helsinki’s social history.

Make your visit complete by enjoying a coffee and pastry at the charming café and browsing some interesting gifts at the museum shop.

Unfortunately, due to the private character of the old house, the museum is not accessible.