On Monday 8 September 2025, Kultaranta, the President’s summer residence in Naantali, opened its doors to the general public. For the first time ever, visitors were able to see not only the park, but also the Granite Castle, the main building at Kultaranta.
Even before the gates opened at noon, a long line of visitors had formed outside. In total, the event attracted around 4,200 visitors.
A peek into the President’s office
The tour began in the park at Kultaranta and continued through the formal garden, known as the Medallion, up the paved rocky slope of the woodland garden to the Granite Castle.
Inside the Granite Castle, which is a fine example of early 20th century national romantic architecture, visitors had the opportunity to peek into the President’s office and explore the Lower Hall, the Star Cabinet, the Blue Veranda and the Dining Room. The tour then returned to the Kultaranta gate via the modern section of the formal garden, referred to as the Chain.
A living legacy
The Kultaranta estate was completed in 1916 as a summer residence for the businessman Alfred Kordelin. Following his sudden death, ownership of the estate passed to the Finnish state. Since 1919, Kultaranta has served as the summer residence of the President of the Republic of Finland.
In accordance with Kordelin’s will, the public has been granted the opportunity to visit the Kultaranta park once a week. This tradition continues to this day, with visitors enjoying free entry to the park on summer Fridays from 18.00 to 20.00. There are also guided tours of the park available for a fee. So far this year, more than 40,000 people have toured the park and its gardens.
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