Follow the Finnish national author to the rural idyll of Palojoki village! Aleksis Kivi was born the fourth child to tailor Erik Stenvall and his wife Annastiina on 10 October 1834. The birthplace of the author is in Palojoki in Nurmijärvi, in the settings of The Seven Brothers and The Cobblers on the Heath.
Aleksis left home at the age of 12 to go to school in Helsinki, but the home cottage and its surroundings remained close to his heart throughout his life. It is known that Aleksis Kivi stayed and wrote in the attic room of the house whilst in Palojoki.
The cottage, now restored to Aleksis Kivi’s childhood times, depicts the life of a tailor family in the early 19th century. The museum has two photo exhibitions; the exhibition Eteläisessä Hämeessä (In Southern Häme) presents the landscapes of Palojoki and the authors’ family members. The exhibition Terveisiä metsämaailmalta (Tidings from the Forest) illustrates the significance of the forest and animals to Aleksis Kivi.
You can also get to know the author’s home and childhood on a dramatised guided tour.
Address Palojoentie 271, 01940 Palojoki
E-mail museo(at)nurmijarvi.fi
Phone+358 40 317 2507, +358 40 317 4147
Opening hours
18.–31.5. Tue–Sun 10–16
1.6.–25.8. Tue–Sun 11–18
Entrance fee: Adults 2 € Students, pensioners 1 € Groups (min. 10/persons) 1 € / person Under 18 years free entry
Guiding: A guided tour is included in the admission charge. Outside opening hours guided tours are also available, by appointment, with extra 30 € per group.