The story of Calliola

Calliola – part of Raseborg and Snappertuna’s regional history

Conference and archipelago hotel Calliola is located in Snappertuna, between Raseborg Castle and the historic Fagervik ironworks and manor. In the mid-19th century, Rågö was separated into its own independent estate from Jeppans Gård, located in the same village. For about a hundred years, this old archipelago estate, today known as Calliola, lived its quiet rural life in the village of Båsa in the former municipality of Snappertuna.

The Rågö estate, Rågöstrand, remained in the ownership of the same fishing family until the 1950s. The 1960s were a quieter time, as farming and the cultivation of the fields had gradually disappeared from the area. In the 1970s, summer residents brought new life to the island, and the connection to the mainland improved when the bridge to Rågö was built. With local pride, Snappertuna was known at the time as the most Swedish-speaking municipality in the world.

In the 1970s, the renowned opera singer Timo Mustakallio fulfilled his dream by creating a holiday village on his archipelago estate. It is said that Mustakallio quite literally filled the island with opera. Art, nature and music have been an essential part of Calliola throughout its history. According to the story, Mustakallio was known internationally by the stage name Callio – a name that still lives on in Calliola.

After Mustakallio, Calliola served in the 1980s as a recreational retreat for the management and personnel of SKOP Bank.

Calliola begins a new chapter

A new chapter began in 1997, when Calliola became a conference and event hotel under the ownership of Maiju and Kari Kasanen, an entrepreneurial couple with a background in education, consulting and leadership development. This marked the beginning of a long and determined transformation, through which the old archipelago estate gradually found a new direction.

Calliola did not become a hotel overnight. It happened over decades, piece by piece. Buildings were carefully renovated, events were shaped around the wishes of each guest group, and Calliola grew into a place where companies, families, wedding couples and friends could gather by the sea.

Kari’s long background in leadership, coaching and organisational development brought to Calliola a deep understanding of what people need when they come together to think, celebrate or simply pause. Maiju’s touch has been visible in the spirit of the place, the high level of service, the warmth of the hospitality and the care given to every detail.

From the very beginning, Calliola has also been a shared place for the Kasanen family. Maiju and Kari’s sons, Kasper and Jesper, have grown up alongside Calliola and seen up close how an old archipelago estate has been shaped into a living conference, celebration and event destination. Over the years, the next generation of the family has brought in its own skills, perspective and energy, while the heart of the place has remained the same: the sea, nature, hospitality and meaningful encounters between people.

Calliola today

Today, Calliola is a 12-hectare archipelago estate where the layers of the old farming and fishing estate can still be felt in the buildings, the shoreline, and the atmosphere of the courtyard. The area includes 16 buildings, seaside villas, celebration and meeting spaces, several seafront saunas, a private marina and accommodation for more than 75 guests.

Although Calliola is located on the island of Rågö, it is easy to reach by bridge and by an asphalt road leading all the way to the courtyard. You arrive in the archipelago without a long or difficult journey, yet once here, everyday life feels clearly left behind.

Calliola offers a complete setting for successful meetings, organisational training days, staff events and customer occasions. Family celebrations and weddings can also be arranged at Calliola throughout the year. The foundation of everything we do is a peaceful and inspiring environment, versatile facilities, food built around ingredients from the surrounding region, and warm, attentive service. Our service begins with genuine care and listening to our guests. Every event and every visit to Calliola is unique.

Above all, Calliola is a family business with a strong foundation of values. We want to offer memorable experiences for our guests, a meaningful and encouraging workplace for our staff, and opportunities for local entrepreneurs to bring forward their products and services. Sustainable development, social responsibility and care for the surrounding environment are central to the way we work.

The latest chapter in Calliola’s story began in 2026, when Calliola became the filming location for Vain elämää, one of Finland’s biggest and most beloved music television productions, starting from its 17th season. Through the program, Calliola’s seaside landscapes, the island of Rågö and the archipelago of Snappertuna will be seen by audiences across Finland.

It feels like a natural continuation of the place’s story. Calliola has always been a place where people gather, listen to one another and share moments that stay with them.