Patruunantalo: Experience wellness and culture in historic Finland

By Molly McPharlin | Photos: Kasvajat and Stockfors Village

Stockfors Village is a uniquely special place in Finland. A former industrial area at the turn of the 20th century in the southeastern coastal region, Stockfors was a hub for energy production and transportation created by Norwegian-born engineers Olaf Bülow and Ole Nedrum. Today, Stockfors Village is a centre for culture and wellness. It offers artistic events and activities as well as old-world charm at Patruunantalo, an original manor house converted into a wellness retreat with a relaxing garden and a restaurant.

Stockfors was a factory from 1902 to 1992, and Patruunantalo acted as the factory manager’s residence. From 2002 to 2015, the landmark building was part of a hotel chain and the history remained an important part of its character. For instance, each guest room was named after a founder of the Finnish welfare state. In 2018, Stockfors was taken in a new direction and became a wellness village, offering guests a place to rest, find peace and quiet, and get support when needed.

Patruunantalo: Experience wellness and culture in historic Finland

The riverbank near Stockfors Village.

Patruunantalo can be likened to the heart of the village. Besides being a beacon for mental health, it offers space for professional training, family parties, art exhibitions, concerts, and everything that supports wellbeing. It welcomes everyone from writers and artists to health workers and yogis. The centre has even been used for productions by the Finnish national broadcaster YLE, as well as for murder mystery weekends. “We have a lot of video and photo shoots, TV productions and movies take place here. We can host anything that requires special spaces because we have plenty,” says Katja Lemberg, chairman of Kasvajat, the organisation that oversees Patruunantalo and Stockfors.

The Kymijoki River runs alongside Stockfors Village.

A centre for well-being and culture

Lemberg believes that Stockfors is special because of the diversity it offers and the inclusive nature it embraces. “We are the only non-profit welfare village in Finland that supports and helps people, even without compensation,” she says. “We do everything we can ourselves and with the help of wonderful volunteers – nurses, teachers, social workers, entrepreneurs – who want to support the community.”

The profit from the inn and restaurant goes to maintaining and developing the area and helping those who can’t afford to pay. “Stockfors acts as one unified village. When organising a large event, everything can be agreed with one host and all the facilities can be used. We are like a 1,000-person party space on the riverbank,” says Lemberg.

The old manor house Patruunantalo now acts as a centre for wellness and culture.

Kasvajat understands that there is a need for a place like Stockfors and Patruunantalo in Finland. “We have over 20 years’ experience in developing mental health and wellbeing services,” elaborates Lemberg. “Finland is the happiest country in the world and a prosperous welfare state, but services like ours are still needed.” The services provided include massage, yoga, help for depression and exhaustion, and even practical pursuits like job coaching. “Stockfors uses the example of the excellent Finnish social services to support and sustain wellbeing,” adds Lemberg. “We follow a human-centred framework.”

Locally roasted coffee is a delicious treat at Patruunantalo.

A human approach for all

Though the majority of visitors to Stockfors come from Finland, guests from other countries find their way to the village to experience all it has to offer. Everything is available in English as well as Finnish and Swedish. Besides Patruunantalo, Stockfors includes museums and large art displays, an exhibition on the history of life in Finland, bird watching in the area, and even a Halloween programme for children in the old factory halls.

According to Lemberg, one of the best things about Stockfors is its location. “I love the peace of this place, but also that it can get lively,” she reflects. “We are close to nature and at the same time near towns and cities.” Loviisa and Kotka are within 20 kilometres away and Porvoo and Helsinki are each within an hour and a half drive.

Lemberg envisions a place like Stockfors to be available to everyone around the world in the future. “With Stockfors, I wish to develop it further while maintaining the personal approach.” And as for visitors, she hopes that everyone can come and enjoy Finnish nature, silence and darkness. “We provide a homely atmosphere that is surprisingly luxurious. And weddings, we even have those here.”