Annalan huvila, Wooden villa in Vanhakaupunki, Finland
Annalan huvila is a white two-story villa set on spacious grounds in eastern Helsinki, surrounded by formal gardens and greenhouse facilities. The main building and extensive gardens together form a cohesive 19th-century estate complex.
The villa was built in 1832 by entrepreneur Gustaf Wasenius and remains the oldest wooden house still in use in Helsinki. It was named after his wife Anna Charlotta, reflecting its importance as a family residence.
The property is maintained by the Hyötykasviyhdistys association, which runs gardening programs that keep alive traditional Finnish cultivation methods. The formal gardens show how people have worked with plants and nature here for generations.
The villa is accessible by buses 71, 55, and 506 from Helsinki center, with stops at Annalantie and Tekniikan museo stations. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as exploring the grounds and gardens requires moving on foot.
The greenhouse holds Finland's most extensive collection of indoor plants, including citrus trees grown in specialized climate conditions. This plant collection is a rare holding found in only a few locations in the region.
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