Muuratsalon Koetalo

The Finnish Lakeland


Connected to Säynätsalo by bridges, peaceful Muuratsalo islet was the summer retreat of Alvar and Elissa Aalto. Aalto built his Experimental House – a must-see for architecture buffs – on three hectares of forest on the shore of Päijänne, and it can now be visited by pre-arranged guided tours; book through the Alvar Aalto Museo or Jyväskylä tourist office. To get here, drive or take bus 16 (€4.70, 40 minutes) from Jyväskylä; the house is 500m on from the final stop.

After meeting your guide at the street gate, you'll walk past Aalto's beloved boat, Nemo Propheta in Patria (Nobody is a Prophet in their Homeland), which is now housed in a shelter on terra firma. Then on to the lakeside sauna and to the main event – the house itself. This is divided into two parts: the main building (1952) and a guestroom wing (1953). The latter isn't part of the tour as it is still used by members of the Aalto family. Aalto used the enclosed patio in front of the L-shaped main building to try out various types and patterns of bricks and tiles to see how they looked in different seasons and how they weathered – it's fascinating to see how he quality controlled materials before specifying their use.

The interior of the house is extremely modest in scale and finish, and retains its original Artek furniture. You can well imagine Aalto sitting on the patio, which commands a framed view of the peaceful lake, while pondering his next design.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Finnish Lakeland attractions

1. Säynätsalon Kunnantalo

1.91 MILES

One of Aalto's most admired works, this town hall was conceived as a 'fortress of democracy' and constructed between 1949 and 1952. Its sturdy brick tower…

2. Alvar Aalto Museo

8.21 MILES

The town's most famous son and the subject of this museum was a giant of 20th-century architecture. Schooled in Jyväskylä, Aalto opened his first offices…

3. Keski-Suomen Museo

8.23 MILES

Adjacent to the Alvar Aalto Museo and also designed by him, this museum building was temporarily closed for a major restoration when we last visited. When…

4. Administrative and Cultural Centre

8.64 MILES

Jyväskylä's municipal headquarters are located in the block bounded by Vapaudenkatu, Kilpisenkatu and Hannikaisenkatu. The complex includes three…

5. Suomen Käsityön Museo

8.77 MILES

Showcasing the National Costume Centre, which includes regional dress from around Finland, this handicrafts museum has a small permanent collection and…

6. Workers' Club Building

8.9 MILES

This is one of many buildings in Jyväskylä designed by its famous son, Alvar Aalto. Built between 1924 and 25, its a not particularly successful Italian…

7. Vitatorni Apartment Tower

9.34 MILES

In one of Jyväskylä's garden suburbs, this apartment block was designed by Alvar Aalto and built in 1962.

8. Petäjäveden Vanha Kirkko

20.39 MILES

This wonderfully gnarled Unesco-listed wooden church is located in Petäjävesi, 35km west of Jyväskylä. Finished in 1765, it’s a marvellous example of 18th…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "finland/jyvaskyla/attractions/muuratsalon-koetalo/a/poi-sig/1430782/1002974",
      "destination": "The-Finnish-Lakeland",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Finland",
      "region": "The-Finnish-Lakeland",
      "position": "superzone"
    }