Hvitträsk
Uusimaa
Hvitträsk is a historic mansion complex located about 30 kilometers west of Helsinki in Kirkkonummi, Finland. Designed and built between 1901 and 1903 by the architectural firm Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen as a studio home, it later became the private residence of Eliel Saarinen. The complex is a prime example of Finnish national romantic architecture, constructed with grey natural stone and dark timber, featuring a park-like courtyard reminiscent of an English manor. The main red-roofed building faces the lake Vitträsk, beside which the estate is situated, and includes a smaller sauna by the water. The mansion houses original furniture designed by Eliel Saarinen and notable artworks such as Olga Gummerus-Ehrström's stained glass "Rival Suitors" (1905) and Géza Maróti's relief "The Angel of Resurrection" in the atelier. After partial destruction by fire in 1922, the north wing was rebuilt between 1929 and 1933 by Eliel's son, architect Eero Saarinen. Today, Hvitträsk operates as a museum under the Finnish National Museum, preserving much of the original interior and furnishings, and remains a significant cultural and architectural landmark in Finland.
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Astuce: Visitors are advised to check opening hours before visiting, as the museum operates seasonally. Purchasing tickets in advance can help avoid queues, especially during summer months. The site includes a café for refreshments, and exploring the grounds by the lake and the sauna area offers a peaceful experience. Visiting in late spring to early autumn provides the best weather for enjoying both the architecture and the natural surroundings. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups.
Faits intéressants
- •Hvitträsk was designed by the famous Finnish architectural trio Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen.
- •The mansion combines natural stone and dark timber in a national romantic style, a hallmark of early 20th-century Finnish architecture.
- •Eliel Saarinen's son, Eero Saarinen, a renowned architect himself, rebuilt the north wing after a fire in the 1920s.
- •The estate includes original furniture designed by Eliel Saarinen and stained glass artworks by Olga Gummerus-Ehrström.
- •Hvitträsk served as the design studio where plans for Finland's National Museum and Helsinki Central Railway Station were developed.
Histoire
Hvitträsk was established in 1901 when the architectural firm Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen purchased the plot by Lake Vitträsk.
Construction was completed by 1903, and it served as both a studio and residence for the architects and their families.
The firm dissolved in 1905, after which the building continued to house the Saarinen and Gesellius families.
In 1922, a fire damaged the north wing, which was rebuilt from 1929 to 1933 by Eero Saarinen.
The Saarinen family used Hvitträsk as a summer residence until 1949.
Later, the mansion was owned by private individuals before becoming a public museum in 1971, now managed by the Finnish National Museum and recognized as an important cultural heritage site.
Guide du lieu
Main Museum Building1903
The red-roofed mansion facing Lake Vitträsk, showcasing national romantic architecture and housing original interiors, furniture, and artworks by the architects.
Atelier1903
The architects' studio where significant Finnish architectural projects were conceived, including plans for the National Museum and Helsinki Railway Station.
Sauna by the Lake
A traditional Finnish sauna located on the shores of Lake Vitträsk, offering visitors a glimpse into Finnish culture and lifestyle.
Cafeteria Building
A separate brownish structure on the estate grounds that serves refreshments to visitors, located near the main museum building.