Kotkaniemi – the home museum of President P.E. Svinhufvud

Kotkaniemi welcomes visitors to see the home of one of the key figures of Finnish independence and former president, P. E. Svinhufvud. In addition to the museum there is a café and conference rooms in the main building. On the grounds there is also a garden, restored to its 1930s look, with its outbuildings. Kotkaniemi is situated by the lake Kivijärvi in Luumäki, about 20km from Lappeenranta in South Karelia.

The museum and café are open regularly during the summer months starting from May, and from September to April open only on special occasions and on request.

The museum and café are open in summer 2024: from 25 May to 1 Sept,  Tue-Sun 11 am - 5 pm

Museum

The museum exhibits the life of President P.E. Svinhufvud and Mrs. Ellen Svinhufvud, as well as the everyday life of Kotkaniemi as a working farm in Luumäki. The museum rooms are restored to the period in which the Svinhufvuds lived there and are decorated with original furniture and items.

Kotkaniemi is a significant attraction also for its garden, lakeside view and as a representative of the early 20th-century country house and villa. It was built as a rural judge residency by Lappee district judge Alfred Thomé in 1898 and was acquired by the Svinhufvuds in 1908 when P.E. was inaugurated as his successor. Kotkaniemi was the long-term home where P.E. Svinhufvud always wanted to return to in between and after his governmental and political posts.

Café

Take in the ambiance and enjoy the refreshments at café Ellen! The café seats 36 people and serves products appropriate to the atmosphere of the museum. The café is run by a local hotel Salpa.

The café has the same opening hours as the museum. It is situated at the other end of the main building with its own entrance. During the summer there is also a seated area outside.

Groups

For guided group visits - please contact the museum.

We have two conference rooms, “Siperia” and “Käräjätupa”, that can be booked for meetings and other occasions. Our sauna by the lake is also rentable for small groups. Outside the opening hours you can also reserve Café Ellen for private functions.

Contact us for more information!

You are warmly welcome to come and enjoy the historical and peaceful environment!