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Old SchoolSuolahti FI +358400 722 544

The place and its history

Kirppuvuori, Lake Suojärvi and the old institute

Akseli Gallen-Kallela spent a great deal of time here in the Kirppuvuori landscape. He is said to have painted works here including The Lair of the Lynx (Ilveksen luola). Locals know the story that Gallen-Kallela came across a lynx on Kirppuvuori while villagers were out hunting it. He is said to have let the lynx escape and never revealed that he had seen it. It is also said that Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim spent his free time in the beautiful wilderness of Ilvesvuori.

Kirppuvuori in the evening sun and its reflection in calm Lake Suojärvi
Kirppuvuori in autumn, the foliage turned orange
Kirppuvuori in autumn.

Kirppuvuori

The first photo is taken on the shore

When guests reach the shore by Tiilitalo, their first photo is of Kirppuvuori. On summer evenings the sun paints the hill gold, and in autumn the leaves turn it orange.

The lake and nature

Our own swimming beach is right next to the buildings. Take the rowing boat out to explore Lake Suojärvi, or fish in the lake. Deer, pheasants, hares and a fox visit the grounds, and lynx tracks have been seen in winter.

  • The private beach with birch trees and sun loungers
    Private beachGrill, fire pit and sun loungers
  • Paddleboards on the beach
    Rowing boat and paddleboardsFor guests in summer
  • Calm lake and a wooded shore
    Lake SuojärviFor fishing or just looking at

In the middle of nowhere, but everything is close

  • Shops a kilometre away, easily on foot.
  • Ice rink and swimming pool within walking distance.
  • Highway 4 (E75) runs past, and you can also get here by public transport.
  • Jyväskylä city centre under 40 minutes away by car.
  • Cyclists are welcome (Bikeland Welcome Cyclist).

Here, history isn't behind glass. Here, you can stay in it.

The former Keski-Suomen Opisto

Old School Suolahti operates in the premises of the former Keski-Suomen Opisto, the Institute of Central Finland. In its day the institute was a closed place. One guest told us they had lived their whole childhood on the far side of the lake, dreaming of getting in. They finally came inside for the first time in their sixties, once the accommodation opened.

The Pink House is over a hundred years old. The other buildings date from the 1960s and 70s.

In one room Marshal Mannerheim looks down at guests from the wall, and visitors have written their greetings on a wall in many languages.

  • The three-storey Pink House, over a hundred years old
    The Pink HouseOver a hundred years old
  • Portraits of Mannerheim on a room wall
    The Mannerheim room
  • A wall covered in greetings written by guests
    The guest wallGreetings in many languages
  • Bright lounge corner with two armchairs and pictures on the wall
    Lounge cornerA window onto the grounds

Do you have photos from the institute's days?

We are collecting photos and stories from the years of Keski-Suomen Opisto for this page. If you studied or worked here, or find old photos at home, please send them to us. Tell us the year and who is in the picture, if you know.

Send photos by email

Picture of the day

Vilma The Old School Cat

Vilma is the resident cat.

  • Vilma the cat sitting on a window sill and looking out at the grounds
  • Vilma the cat looking into the camera in front of a curtain
  • Vilma the cat standing in the kitchen and looking into the camera

Ask about available dates

Call us and we'll check the calendar together.

Our staff live in the area themselves, so we are easy to reach. We make direct offers for groups and companies.

+358400 722 544

info@oldschoolfinland.com
Vita Alanko

Sirkanpolku 3, 44200 Suolahti, Finland
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