Villa Mairea has been nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with 12 other buildings designed by Alvar Aalto.
A decision is expected in summer 2026. Villa Mairea is protected under the Act on the Protection of Built Heritage.
Villa Mairea and Ahlström in Society
The Mairea Foundation is part of the Ahlström in Society network. Ahlström in Society is a shared platform for the Ahlström family’s foundations, honouring the family’s legacy and contributions. Through its foundations, Ahlström in Society builds a philanthropic network around its business activities and actively promotes social and cultural development.
Cultural Route of the Council of Europe
The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe guide travellers interested in cultural heritage, culture and art along fascinating routes across Europe. In Finland, the Finnish Heritage Agency serves as the national coordinator of the Cultural Routes programme.
The objectives of the Cultural Routes initiative include raising awareness of European values and Europe’s diverse cultural heritage, strengthening intercultural dialogue, and promoting sustainable cultural tourism. The first Cultural Route managed from Finland is the Alvar Aalto Route, which received Cultural Route certification in 2021.
Alvar Aalto -route
The Alvar Aalto Route brings together sites designed by Alvar Aalto’s architectural office into a fascinating cultural tourism route across Europe. In addition to Finland, Aalto’s masterpieces can be experienced in countries such as Italy, France, Germany and Estonia.
The route offers experiences in the worlds of architecture and design, a close connection to nature, high-quality accommodation services and local specialities. The Alvar Aalto Route was certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe in 2021, which signifies inclusion in the prestigious network of European Cultural Routes.
