Kultaranta
The summer residence of Finland’s president, this granite manor house on the island of Luonnonmaa commands views across Naantali’s archipelago from its tower, surrounded by manicured gardens and woodland parkland.
At a glance
Kultaranta—meaning ‘Golden Shore’ in Swedish—occupies 56 hectares of landscaped and natural parkland. The granite manor comprises reception rooms and private apartments on the ground floor, with bedrooms and guestrooms above. A tower offers panoramic views toward the inshore islands and the municipality beyond.
History
Businessman Alfred Kordelin commissioned the manor house in 1914, engaging architect Lars Sonck to design it. Upon Kordelin’s death in 1917, ownership transferred to the University of Turku. In 1922, the Finnish Parliament voted to acquire the property as an official presidential summer retreat—a role it has maintained ever since.
What you see
Marble steps ascend from the ground floor to the tower’s vantage point. The building itself demonstrates Sonck’s architectural sensibility through its granite construction and classical proportions. The gardens include approximately 1,000 square metres of heated greenhouses and a rose garden called Medaljonki, planted with 3,500 specimens that reach peak bloom and fragrance in midsummer.
Cultural significance
Kultaranta’s Park has been compared to a ‘mini-Versailles’, reflecting Finland’s ambition to create a dignified setting for state functions and presidential leisure. The property balances formal horticultural design with preserved woodland, supplying the presidential household with flowers and vegetables year-round while remaining partly accessible to the public during the growing season.
Key facts
- Country: Finland
- City: Naantali, Southwest Finland
- Architect: Lars Sonck
- Built: 1914
- Original owner: Alfred Kordelin
- Estate size: 56 hectares (140 acres)
- Coordinates: 60.46777778, 21.99916667
Practical information & getting there
The rose garden and surrounding parks are open to the public during summer months. Tours of the gardens are organised by the City of Naantali’s tourist service. The property is located on Luonnonmaa island within the municipality of Naantali, accessible by road in Southwest Finland.
Sources & resources
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