Welcome to Villa Skeppet

The unique house which Alvar Aalto designed for his friends Göran and Christine Schildt.

We offer guided tours

Villa Skeppet belongs to the Christine and Göran Schildt Foundation, which arranges guided tours in the home. The tour showcases an author’s residence, Alvar Aalto’s architecture, and a warm Mediterranean atmosphere. Göran Schildt and Alvar Aalto were good friends who shared a love for the Mediterranean cultures, landscapes, and civilizations.

Visit Villa Skeppet

Villa Skeppet welcomes visitors only by booking a guided tour.

Address

Villa Skeppet

Snäcksundsvägen 8

10600 EKENÄS

Opening hours

Check our calendar to book available times.

The basic features of the building were already clear in the initial sketches

Background

Villa Skeppet was originally named Villa Schildt but soon renamed Skeppet (boat or vessel) by the people in Ekenäs. ”Both from the inside and the outside you get the vision of a ship’s prow that rises towards the south bay in Ekenäs”.

Architecture

Two main themes dominated the life of Göran Schildt: his compassion for sailing and his love for the Mediterranean culture. In Villa Skeppet, both of his passions are apparent in the architecture and the furnishings. The most dominant feature of the building…

Alvar Aalto designed a house so that the Schildt couple would return to Finland

The Mediterranean sailor who enjoyed life in Tammisaari

Göran Schildt

Göran Schildt’s creative production comprises works on cultural history and art history, essays, journalism, travel books, biographies and fiction. His works range over a variety of fields, the most prominent of which are sailing and the Mediterranean. Göran Schildt was born in…

Alvar Aalto

The friendship with Göran Schildt Göran Schildt first met Alvar Aalto during his academic years when Aalto was the president of the film club Projektio and Schildt a member. They became friends much later, however, when Schildt visited Aalto’s office together with…

The friendship between Alvar Aalto and Göran Schildt began in 1952

Göran Schildt was the owner of Daphne

S/Y Daphne

Daphne was ordered by doctor Oskar Mustelin and drawn by Jarl Lindblom in 1935.  She was originally a gaff-rigged schooner built at Åbo Båtvarf (Turku Shipyard) but rigged into a ketch in the 1940s by her second owner Uno Tennberg from Ekenäs.

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News

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Throwback Thursday ⚓

A glimpse back to 1949, when the sailing yacht Daphne was launched in Lavagna, Italy—captured in a photograph by Göran Schildt himself.

For Göran Schildt Daphne was more than a vessel: she was a home, a creative sanctuary, and a gateway to the Mediterranean and beyond. Through Schildt’s voyages, she carries stories of discovery, writing, and encounters with new cultures.

#ThrowbackThursday #GöranSchildt #SailingHistory #Daphne #Lavagna
You can now book our summer tours 🌸🪷☀️
Today we celebrate the birthday of Finnish-Swedish author Göran Schildt (1917-2009) 📚⛵

Known for his thoughtful essays, biographies of architect Alvar Aalto, and his sailing books from journeys across the Mediterranean, Schildt combined culture, philosophy, and adventure in a unique way.

#göranschildt #literature #finnishswedish #author #culture
✨ Guided Tours at Villa Skeppet ✨

Join us for a guided tour of Villa Skeppet every Saturday in March! Discover the story, architecture, and unique atmosphere of this special place together with our guide.

🎟 Book your tour through our website.

You can also now book our summer tours, and there are still plenty of available time slots — so make sure to secure your spot while availability is good!

We look forward to welcoming you to Villa Skeppet. 🌿

#villaskeppet #guidedtour #alvaraalto #architecture #nordichome
✨ Guided tours at Villa Skeppet – spots available tomorrow! ✨

Tomorrow, Saturday 28 February, we are offering guided tours at Villa Skeppet, and there are still a few spots available! 

Join us to experience the villa’s unique architecture, history, and atmosphere together with our guide. It’s the perfect activity for anyone curious about the stories of the house or looking for something special to do this weekend.

🎟️ Book your ticket in our webshop and secure your place!

A warm welcome! 💙

#villaskeppet #guidedtour #architecture #alvaraalto #nordicdesign
The view when you enter Villa Skeppet. It is ❤️

#villaskeppet #alvaraaltohouse #architecture #visitalvaraalto #visitraseborg