Built in 1900, Harjupavilion is an eastern-influenced Art Nouveau building of cultural and historical value, and an absolute must for visitors to Heinola. Harjupavilion is located near the centre of the town, in Harjupuisto Park, within walking distance of the marketplace. It includes a waffle café, where you can enjoy freshly made sweet and savoury waffles. Tasty home-made pastries are also available.
You can rent the pavilion for functions and meetings. The downstairs café and glazed open veranda have a total of 90 customer seats, with 35 more seats in the upstairs cabinet and around twenty in the outside terrace.
The café is A-licensed. WiFi. Children’s play area ”mini-café”. Parking space on the Kauppakatu side, appreaching the park.
Menu in english is at the bottom of this page.
You can bring your dog to our terrace, but not inside the building.
Welcome!
Open again 30.4.2026 =>>>
Address
Kauppakatu 30, Harjupuisto, 18100 Heinola
Inquiries
cafe(a)harjupaviljonki.fi
Phone +358 44 7273 688
History of Harjupaviljonki
In the 1890s, Heinola was a typical small Finnish town with a population of 1,292. The first telephone rang in the home of merchant K. Oxenius during that decade. At the time, the town had ten merchants, and cows roamed freely through the streets.
In 1880, it was recognized that Heinola, with its clean air and beautiful natural surroundings, had great potential to become a spa town. After many developments and thanks to private donations, the idea eventually came to life.
Heinola Badhus Aktiebolag was built in Rantapuisto, on the current site of the summer theatre, in 1892. The building resembled a grand manor. Unfortunately, it burned down on April 29, 1930. A few years later, a new, modern facility was constructed on the site of the old library. Upon entering, one was greeted by the stimulating scent of pine needles, formic acid, menthol, and various other aromas. Bath attendants, masseuses, and other staff walked the hallways dressed in crisp white uniforms. The spa enjoyed great popularity until the onset of the wars, drawing visitors from all over Finland and even abroad.
The City of Heinola decided to build a magnificent romantic pavilion, Harjupaviljonki, as a rest stop for townspeople and spa guests on their walks. The cost estimate, prepared by Andersin-Jung-Bomarsson, was 6,000 marks. A grand opening ceremony was held on August 3, 1900.
Harjupaviljonki’s charm lay in its romantic appearance and the postcard-like views it offered over Lake Ruotsalainen, the Jyränkö rapids, and the Kymi River as well as the musical events held there. Brass music echoed from the café-restaurant steps twice a week during summers for decades.
The many phases of Harju live on in the hearts of Heinola’s residents – May Day celebrations, musical evenings, and romantic nights spent in the shadow of lilac bushes have even inspired poems.
Over the years, several entrepreneurs operated the café, including the local Lotta Svärd association and baker Lindblad. One of the most beloved was the café run by Mrs. Tilda Manelius, adored by sweet lovers for her delicious coffee, fresh pastries, and attentive staff.
Her motto was: “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”
This motto still guides the spirit of Harjupaviljonki to this day.