HISTORY AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS 

 

The history of Haikko Manor dates back to 1362 when it was owned by a Dominican Monastery of Vyborg (Russia). Its fascinating past has been linked with royal and imperial splendor. During the Russian rule at the turn of the century several members of the Russian imperial family visited Haikko during the summers.

 

Grand Duke Wladimir came with his wife Maria Pavlovna whilst they were making pleasure cruises in the Finnish archipelago. Later Maria Pavlovna returned to Haikko several times with her daughter who later became the wife of Prince Nikolaus of Greece and the mother of Princess Marina of Kent.

 

Grand Duke Kiril, with his wife and two daughters, escaped to Finland to seek refuge in Haikko from the tempest of the revolution. Their eldest son Wladimir was born in Porvoo in 1917 and was christened at Haikko where the family was living. He was the nearest aspirant to the imperial crown of Russia and he became later the head of the Romanov family. 1991 he celebrated his birthday with his family at Haikko Manor as the guest of honour of the house.

 

At the turn of the 20th Century there was a period of a rarefied social life with balls, suppers and parties arranged at Haikko. Among the distinguished guests was the artist Albert Edelfelt who spent 24 summers working in his studio close to Haikko Manor. The beautiful Finnish archipelago with its weather-beaten islanders was an unfailing source of inspiration for him and he painted over 200 works there.

 

Edelfelt´s portraits and landscape paintings were admired also by the Czar´s family and he was elected to the art academy of St.Petersburg. He was also invited to the court of Russia to paint the portraits of the members of the Imperial Family. He died in Haikko in August 1905. His studio is open to the public in summer.

 

HAIKKO MANOR TODAY

 

Haikko Manor was purchased by the Vuoristo family in 1965 and was converted into a hotel in 1966.Today it consists of three major areas: the Manor, the Spa and the Congress Center. Haikko Spa offers a wide variety of well-being treatments and effective beauty care and traditional spa cures.

 

The Congress Center with its 20 conference rooms of different sizes provides efficient arrangements for international and domestic conferences. There are 224 guest rooms and conference facilities for over 400 people.