Ainola, Jean and Aino Sibelius' home
Address: Ainolankatu, Järvenpää
Phone: +358 9 287 322 (only during the opening hours)
E-mail: info@ainola.fi
Website: www.ainola.fi
See and do
Ainola
In Ainola, you can learn about the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and his family in the setting of his own home.
Ainola was the home of Jean Sibelius and his family from 1904. This timber-built villa was designed by the renowned Finnish architect Lars Sonck. Its distance from the hustle and bustle of the nation’s capital gave the composer the peace that he needed for his creative endeavours, while other artistic families living in the neighbourhood provided a lively social circle.
Ainola was named after the master composer’s wife, Aino. Sibelius fell in love with the natural beauty of the area and lived here most of his life. You can still experience the silence which the composer considered indispensable for this work.
The grave of the composer and his wife Aino is located in the garden.
Ainola is closed in the wintertime.
It is open from May to September, Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm. Mondays closed.
How to arrive at Ainola?
By train: Ainola station 15-minute walk, R train from Helsinki and Riihimäki.
By bus: Get directions using HSL Journey Planner www.hsl.fi/en
Within a short walking distance
Walking distances from Ainola to some other places of interest:
Ahola 5 minutes
Järvenpää Art Museum 30 minutes
Halosenniemi Museum 40 minutes via museum road Rantatie
Ainola
Jean and Aino Sibelius and their family moved to Ainola in 1904 and the log villa still has the ambience of a warm home. Everything is still the same as during the time of the Sibelius’: geraniums bloom by the window and the Jean’s cane and hat can be found on the chamber table. Even toothbrushes can be seen in the bathroom!
The garden
There was no water conduit in the house when Jean Sibelius lived there, as he did not want his compositional work to be disrupted. The water pipes weren’t installed until 1963. An essential part of Ainola is also the garden, which was planted by Aino Sibelius’ herself, now blooms with flowers. The practical sauna designed by Aino with Janne’s bathtub is also worth seeing!
Ainola's fireplace
In Ainola’s dining area, attention is immediately drawn to the fresh green fireplace. When architect Lars Sonck began designing Ainola, Jean Sibelius had two wishes: he wanted a view of Lake Tuusula from the window of his study and a green fireplace in the dining room. Sibelius combined certain colours with certain pitches and a green fireplace rang for him in F major.
Summer 2024:
Ainola was opened as a museum 50 years ago, on June 28, 1974. The museum will have an open house on Friday, June 28, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM). Cafe concert at 3:00 PM. Accommodates approximately 20 people, no reservations. In good weather, the cafe doors will be open, and the concert can also be enjoyed from the terrace.
Free admission!