Vanha Kilkkilä is an old farmhouse in the countryside between Mikkeli and Juva, only 2 km from mainroad 5.

Distance from Helsinki is 250 km, from Savonlinna 75km , to Mikkeli 27km and to Juva 17 km.

 

History

The mainhouse is typical savolax wooden countryhouse and has stayed mainly same since 1853, the earlier history is unknown. Kilkki-family has lived here until 1980. However there are many signs of living in Juva area from scandinavian stoneage to the middleage. Nearest arkeological findings are from Kappelinpelto about 500 metres from Vanha Kilkkilä. In Kappelinpelto there's been an orthodoc chappel long berofe building of the Juva church ( 1800's ).

Vanha Kilkkilä has been middlesized farm in early 1900's with about 20 hectares fields where mostly rye was grown and forrest 200 hectares as well.

The grain and meat has been stored in the building on the left side of the main house. On the right from main house is stable where horses, carriages and sleighs  were kept. Big cattleshield where cattle, sheep, pigs and hens were kept was in the opposite side of the main house and doesn exist anymore. In very cold winter times some animals were taken safe to the main house where only was owens to ensure their wellness. Many smaller buildings have been disappered or torn down, for example blacksmith's shed. Remaining fields have been farmed organically for about 30 years.

Old days life has been very simple and hard working, everythig has been made and food has been grown themselves.

Eine, daughter of Hilja ( born in Kilkkilä 1907 ) told how she sat in a bench as a small girl, watching and counting when her aunt put 53 ryebreads to the two levels of the huge owen. Even at 50's there were many people living in the same house and a lot of food was needed. Bread has allways been the most important part of Finnish meal.

 

Now

We moved in 2001 and have been renovating the buildings ever since. The old athmosphare and sense of old time tradition still lives in Vanha Kilkkilä.

In Vanha Kilkkilä there is a coffeehouse with homebaked goods, art exhibition of local artists and lovely garden with old perennials. There's some local handcrafts and homebaked traditional ryebread ( on sundays ) available too.

 

In summer season Vanha Kilkkilä is open wednesday-sunday at 10-17

In christmas season there are open sundays or weekends at 11-16

 

Groupbookings beforehand via www.vanhakilkkila.fi 

 

Vanha Kilkkilä, Tuhkalantie 231, Nuutilanmäki

www.vanhakilkkila.fi tel. + 358 50 4005485