Moominworld Naantali: Kailo Island's Literary Theme Park

A Theme Park Without Rides

A world-famous theme park designed with no rollercoasters or mechanical rides, Moominworld offers a unique interpretation of family entertainment. Situated on Kailo Island, directly offshore from Naantali's Old Town in Southwest Finland, the site is dedicated to the beloved Moomin stories created by Finland-Swedish author and artist Tove Jansson. It connects to the mainland waterfront via a 250-meter timber pontoon bridge over open water.

History of Kailo Island

Long before it became a literary destination, Kailo Island belonged to Naantali's 15th-century Bridgettine convent. After the Reformation, the land passed to the local parish. For decades, it was leased to tenant farmers and fishermen. The island's most notable resident was Aron Lehtonen, who kept livestock and fished Baltic herring with fykes until moving off the island in the early 1930s. Today, a memorial plaque honors his legacy. Later in the 20th century, the island served as a municipal youth camp and outdoor theater area, accessible only by rowboat or swimming before the bridge was built.

Bringing Moominvalley to Life

In the early 1990s, Finnish media producer Dennis Livson sought a physical location for the Moomin universe. Kailo Island's rocky, wooded archipelago landscape closely matched Jansson's fictional descriptions. With the explicit approval of Tove Jansson and her brother Lars Jansson, the park was constructed and opened on June 26, 1993. Tove Jansson agreed to the project on the strict condition that it omit mechanical rides, preserving a quiet, nature-based environment focused on family values, personal safety, and unscripted outdoor play.

Exploring Moominworld Today

Unpaved forest paths lined with the scent of maritime pines and Baltic granite bedrock weave through the park, avoiding asphalt concourses. The visual anchor is the five-story, blueberry-blue Moominhouse. Constructed in 1993, the cylindrical building replicates Jansson's original book illustrations down to exact room layouts and exterior proportions. The park also features Hemulen's yellow house, Moominpappa's boat, Snufkin's camp, and the Emma Theatre. This architectural fidelity has even made the Moominhouse a niche international wedding venue, attracting couples from as far as Japan to conduct ceremonies inside.

City Context and Public Access

Operating primarily from mid-June to mid-August, Moominworld fundamentally reshaped Naantali's economy, transforming the historic spa town into a major Nordic family destination. Positioned at the western seaward terminus of Naantali's historic spine, the site connects seamlessly to the medieval Convent Church and 18th-century wooden waterfront. Outside of summer operating hours, a portion of Kailo Island remains a municipal recreation area. The pedestrian bridge, public beach, and walking trails are freely accessible to the public during the winter off-season.