Gallen-Kallela Museum

Akseli Gallen-Kallela was a Finnish painter who is especially well known for his illustrations of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. The Gallen-Kallela Museum was once his private atelier and home, and was later converted to fit Gallen-Kallela’s personal use perfectly. The studio is open, spacious and allows a lot of light to come in, but the outside of the building and the surrounding area fit in perfectly with the romantic style of the artist as well. What is today the Gallen-Kallela Museum looks a bit like a castle and sits in the midst of green gardens and quiet nature.
The Gallen-Kallela Museum presents both well-known and lesser known works of the artist and also includes works from his friends. Additionally, it features contemporary art that relates to the paintings of Gallen-Kallela. Exhibitions change frequently and the museum also hosts a variety of events, such as concerts, special guided visits and even tattoo showcases and sauna sessions.

Practical Info

From mid-May to the end of August, the museum can be visited daily from 11am to 6pm. The rest of the year, the exhibition opens from 11am to 4-5pm, depending on the day. The museum is located in Espoo and to get there, take tram number 4 to Munkkiniemi. From there, it’s a 2-kilometer walk through Munkinpuisto Park.