Today in Finland we celebrate Runeberg’s Day. J.L. Runeberg (1804-1877) is Finland’s national poet and the writer of our national anthem. A while back, I visited his home – now a museum – in the quaint town of Porvoo.
The Runeberg family lived in their Porvoo home for 25 years.
The family had eight children, of which one was the famous sculptor Walter Runeberg.
You can easily get a feel of what it was like to live in the home as great care has been taken to make it as authentic as possible.
After Runeberg died, his wife, Fredrika, moved to Helsinki and the home served as a school for a couple of years. Luckily, most of the artifacts of the home were preserved and the home opened as a museum only three years after Runeberg’s death.
In summer, take some time to wander in the historical garden in front of the home.
It is one of the only town gardens to have been conserved in Finland.
In 2002 the garden was restored to how it was during Fredrika’s care, so you can pretend to be in the 1800s while looking around.
The garden is not meant to be a playground and no dogs are allowed. It’s perfect to take a breather and if you have time, to read a book.
Runeberg has been applauded for his literary works but I’m sure all Finns will agree that he should also be celebrated for the cake that has been named after him – the runebergintorttu. However, it was not J.L. Runeberg who invented the cake.
As money was sometimes tight, Runeberg’s wife Fredrika, had to be an inventive baker. She threw the cake together to please her husband’s sweet tooth, combining breadcrumbs, punch and berries from her garden. Alas! The runebergintorttu was born. The story tells us that Runeberg loved the cake so much that he ate one for breakfast every morning.
Unfortunately I do not have a proper photo of the cakes but here you can see some fake ones from the museum to get an idea of their shape. There are many different bakeries in Finland that bake these cakes and each one has their own recipe. Some people make a point of trying as many different ones as possible as they are only available for a few weeks every year! Do make sure you go out and get your own runebergintorttu today before it’s too late.
Have you tried these cakes before? What was your impression? If you want to attempt to make the runebergintorttu yourself, find the recipe here.
xx
The Life and Travels of Mrs Suvi 
Looks like a beautiful place to visit in summer. I have added it to my list!
Do you prefer dry or moist runebergintorttu?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do prefer it to be moist but not too moist! There’s a fine line 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what a unique place to visit. And I’m very curious about those cakes. I’m going to b on the look out for them. I’ve been somewhere that had Finnish food, I just can’t remember where ? Unless I have it confused with a spot in Florida?? Ur I’ll b on the look out, very nice photos Suvi. It’s nice to see you again
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your visit dear! I would be very surprised if you do manage to find a cake like this. Maybe you have to find someone Finnish to bake it for you 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, you really made me miss Finland all over again. 🙂 I’m a hopeless cook, and I’d make even the most patient pastry chef cry, so no Runeberg Delights for me this year. You did inspire me to go and plot my return though, so thank you again! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome back anytime! I’m not such a great baker either, so I haven’t attempted these by myself. I recall making them in school back in the day 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It’ll be good to be back, if I make it. 😁
Making these in school would have been a horror. Always managed to avoid Home Ec due to a combination of moving and schools restructuring their curriculum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m one of those tasters that try to get Runeberg cakes from different bakeries 🙂 Runeberg cake is the reason to love January. Lovely photos! Need to check out this museum next time I visit Porvoo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure is fun tasting the different kinds! It’s not so fun with laskiaispulla 😅
LikeLike
lovely post and photos, Suvi 🙂 enjoy your holiday and the new week!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks dear, wishing you a great week ahead too 💖
LikeLike
Hehe, this is some good cake info. If I visit, I know when it will be… Waiiit, but almost no sun still? You have a holiday at the wrong time. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha well now we are starting to have more sun thank goodness! December was still quite bleak…
LikeLiked by 1 person
May YOU have fun on this very day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you John! I didn’t have any Runeberg’s cake but I did make crepes 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can you send me one? 😉 Kidding. It looks good…I’ll have to try and make them. I’ll look for those cake rings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I would be excited to see some photos of the outcome and also hear how it tasted. If it’s not possible to make this shape, you can make muffins with the Amar recipeand then just so the topping as in the original! xx
LikeLike
Didn’t realise that Runeberg composed the national anthem. I haven’t tried one of those cakes so I’ll try and sample one later this week Suvi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I hope there’s still some to be found at the end of the week! You must try one ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll keep a look out for them Suvi and send you a photo if I manage to track one down!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This cake has a very strange shape but I would be happy to test them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, the shape is unlike no other! I always make a point of at least having one. If you were to visit Finland at another time of year, Porvoo town is the only place to find them that I know of ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos and even though I have never heard of Johan Ludvig Runeberg it was an interesting post. Would love to visit Finland one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your encouraging words ☺️ I do hope you get a chance to visit one day and either see the winter darkness or the neverending daylight in summer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’d prefer the summer daylight personally but I’m sure anytime of year would be great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your visit and comment! Happy blogging 😁
LikeLike
Lovely post, Suvi. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Khaya, you too 💖
LikeLike