Our story
The long history of Villa Laitniemi
The history of Villa Laitniemi dates back over 300 years. The villa is located on Kattelussaari Island in the village of Vehkataipale on Taipalsaari Island. Kattelussaari is known from the first written sources about Taipalsaari from the mid-16th century, so it is likely that there was a permanent settlement on the island as early as the Middle Ages. The oldest available map depicting the settlement of Taipalsaari is from 1746 and shows three definite places of residence: two houses and a croft in the southwestern part of the island, on the site of present-day Laitniemi. An undated, rather large-scale Russian map, presumably from the 18th century, shows five house sites and also the Laitniemi croft, or current Villa Laitniemi. The main house of the current building of Villa Laitniemi was built in 1885. This year is engraved on the crane log of the main house. The previous owner, Aleksanteri Maijanen, had died in 1884, so it was probably his widow, Eeva Maijanen, who finished the building. Aleksanteri and Eeva's eldest son, Antti Maijanen, and his wife Johanna expanded the building in 1905 with two rooms, which still serve as bedrooms in Villa Laitniemi.
The Farmer's Act and the stages of life of the Maijanen family
In 1918, the crofter law came into force, which probably also enabled the Maijanen family to redeem the farm for their own ownership. Everyday life was hard. The land was cultivated, cattle were raised and forestry work was done in order to pay taxes and obtain the necessary supplies for living. According to the story, Mrs. Johanna rowed several times a week to Lappeenranta to sell fresh fish she had caught. Feeling hungry was an everyday occurrence. The story goes that Antti and the children watched for Mrs. Johanna's return from the shore of Villa Laitniemi, because Antti and his children often fished secretly from Johanna while she was on a fish-selling trip and they ate the catch themselves. In Johanna's opinion, all fish that could be sold should be tried to be sold at the market and in her opinion even a small amount of fish was enough for the family. Johanna is said to have been a housewife in general, who kept both Antti and the children under strict discipline and reprimand.
After Antti and Johanna died, the extensive fields, island and forest areas were divided between their children. The grandfather of the current owners inherited, among other things, the magnificent sandy beaches of Päihäniemi, which are about five kilometers away from Villa Laitniemi. There was no road to that faraway Kattelussaari, and taxes had to be paid for the area. The taxes were covered every winter by forest work, which was done on horses. Since the work was very hard due to the lack of a road, the grandfather sold those magnificent areas to a large forestry company and received in return boards for his own 25m2 island cottage and money for a sewing machine. You can see that sewing machine in the entrance hall of Villa Laitniemi. Above the sewing machine you will also find the master/helper's cabinet from 1877.
The history of the Salpalinja line and the modern atmosphere of a 19th-century log villa
The turmoil of World War II also affected Villa Laitniemi. During the peace period, an army company lived here, with the highest-ranking officers living in the main building, non-commissioned officers in the courtyard buildings and soldiers in tents. A trench runs through the Villa Laitniemi grounds, which is part of the world's second largest construction project, the Salpalinja. The trench area is protected by the Finnish Antiquities Authority, as are the buildings and courtyard of Villa Laitniemi.
The Salpalinja is a defensive line stretching from the Gulf of Finland to Petsamo. The line was built to secure Finland's eastern border after the Winter War in 1940-1941 and 1944, when Finland had lost terrain favorable for the defense of its eastern border as the border moved west. The 1,200 km long Salpalinja is one of the strongest and best-preserved chains of fortifications from World War II in Europe. You can find the Salpalinja Museum just over an hour's drive from Miehikkälä.
In the 1970s, the last cows moved out of the barn in the yard and after that the house served as a summer residence. The yellow color of the house changed to red and the red hut was used to spend those long and warm summers of the 70s that everyone knows.
In the early 2020s, it was noticed that the house was in dire need of renovation if it was to be preserved for another 150 years. Some of the logs in the main building and sauna were replaced, and the roof, exterior cladding, heating system, water system and electricity were renewed. The current owner, together with a local carpenter and joiner, has carried out a complete renovation of the house by hand. Local experts and experts have been of great help in the work. The exterior of the house has been designed in cooperation with the Finnish Antiquities Authority and, among other things, the original yellow color has been restored. The basic renovation work lasted three years, 2021-2024.
Villa Laitniemi offers the warm and historic atmosphere of a log villa built in 1885 with modern and contemporary amenities. The kitchen has high-quality appliances and a dining table for 10-12 people for group dinners or work community meetings. The kitchen/living room also has a fireplace, which creates a warm atmosphere and is nice to sit by and relax while waiting for food or after a sauna bath. The interior of the villa is a successful combination of new and old. At Villa Laitniemi you will also find antiques and historical furniture from different decades, up to 150 years ago. You will get a glimpse into Finnish history while spending a nice and modern holiday.
Come to Villa Laitniemi and be a part of its eventful and long history.
Villa Laitniemen Environment's wonderful services and experiences
