SIGHTS IN URJALA

Carrara ART Home Gallery is a cultural space where you can explore the works of artist Henry Carrara. On display are paintings, drawings, glass art, and a collection of works by African artists.

Pruukinraitti 15, 31160 Nuutajärvi

More information: +358 45 349 7743

The historic ironworks village of Nuutajärvi and its old buildings are today protected heritage sites under the Finnish Heritage Agency.

In the premises of the Design Museum, the glass factory’s former brewery, known as the prykäri, once operated. The museum features an impressive collection of glassware produced in Nuutajärvi, dating back to the 19th century.

Lintukoto is a permanent exhibition of glass birds designed by artist and professor Oiva Toikka (1931–2019).
Toikka’s birds were produced in Nuutajärvi for more than 40 years. Lintukoto tells the story of both the birds and Oiva Toikka.

The Most Traditional – and Most Positive – Meeting Place
Urjala Market Day – Fridays from 7 am to 2 pm

Urjala’s market is like a good book: it draws you in and offers interesting stories and unexpected characters. It is a phenomenon unlike any other in the Pirkanmaa region. People come here to meet friends, send a quick snap to a buddy, make plans, pick out the perfect potatoes, and catch up on the latest news. Here, you step into a state of mind called Urjala – every Friday.

There are markets, and then there are markets. Urjala Market belongs firmly in the latter category. It is both traditional and in tune with the times. Every Friday it brings together locals and visitors alike, creating a lively buzz in the heart of Urjala. This age-old gathering place has secured its spot in the municipality’s event calendar, and market day is always a reliable way to spend time.

The market features numerous vendors offering everything from fresh fish to root vegetables and berries straight from local farms. While the sellers are varied, the most common goods are delicious foods and handmade crafts.

You certainly won’t leave the market hungry—but be prepared to queue for the pancakes.

A guided route through the landscapes behind the Under the North Star trilogy.
The guided Väinö Linna Route is perfect for anyone interested in history and literature who wants to experience the landscapes of this Finnish classic.

Halkivaha Church is a small and charming village church built between 1923 and 1926. The church and its bell tower were designed by the architectural firm Heikki Tiitola. Halkivaha Church is home to the second-largest church bells in Finland.

Nuutajärvi is the home of Finnish glass – the oldest glass village in Finland, where glass has been blown since 1793. In this historic ironworks village, today’s skilled artisans work not only with glass but also with materials such as ceramics and metal.

Enjoy life in Nuutajärvi. Discover the fascinating cultural heritage of glassblowing in the village’s museums and exhibitions, and stop to watch artisans at work in the glassblowing studios. You can also book your own glassblowing experience, a guided tour, or even a yoga class. Between experiences, enjoy a meal at Pruuki Bistro, take a break at Airanne Pub, and end your day with a comfortable stay at Village Hotel 1793. Nuutajärvi also provides excellent facilities for meetings, celebrations, and seminars.

You are welcome to observe the work in many of the workshops, and you will likely have the chance to watch the glassblowers in the hot shop as well. Seeing the glowing, syrup-like molten glass transform into a finished object is always a fascinating sight.

Pölkinvuori Garden World is a diverse over 8-hectare destination combining a forest garden, flower park, plant nursery, nature trails, and a café. The varied landscape ranges from waterside scenery to dramatic rocky cliffs, and the area features a stunning viewpoint where the forested horizon stretches over 40 km into the distance.

Highlights:

• Viewpoint terrace and kota – an 87-metre cliff and a kota (Lapp hut) for up to 15 people (rental from €10/hour), equipped with fire and necessary supplies.
• Café Lasikivi – a three-level wooden building with glass walls and spacious terraces. The café offers sweet and savoury treats, including gluten-free and lactose-free options.
• Garden and nursery – a wide selection of Finnish and locally produced plants, as well as plants grown on site.
• Nature trails and floral displays – a 1 km route through the flower park and forest, with connections to the village association’s hiking trails. The flowering season continues from spring to autumn, from tulips to rhododendrons, roses, lilies, and prairie plants.

Entrance to the garden shop and café is free of charge. The park area itself has an entrance fee and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

For groups: Guided tours, coffee service, and tailored packages from 20 € per person.

More information:
+358 40 050 5073

The Urjala Local Heritage Museum is located on a peaceful and idyllic hill. It tells the story of the lifestyle of a Häme farmer in the late 19th century and the life of a smallholder craftsman in the 1940s. In the museum yard, there is also Karhukorsu, a replica of the bunker used by Infantry Regiment 23 on the shores of the Svir River.

Sweet and savoury pastries, coffee, tea, and other refreshments are available.

The study built in the Urjala Library is an exact replica, complete with the original furnishings, of the home on Hämeenpuisto in Tampere where Väinö Linna’s family lived from 1962. The entire original interior was donated to the Urjala Library.

The museum is located in the main building of an old farmhouse. The oldest part of the building, the bakery, was built in the 18th century as a smoke cottage. The Isotalo farm has been located in the same place in the village of Ikaala since the 16th century.

The museum is privately owned and open by appointment.

Välkkiläntie 222, Ikaala

+358 40 506 1238

The current main building of Nuutajärvi Manor, built in the Neo-Renaissance style, was commissioned by Johan Furuhjelm in 1822.

Today, Nuutajärvi Manor offers a unique setting for celebrations, meetings, courses, and training events. The manor can also be explored on guided tours during event days.

More information:
+358 40 772 2652

The wooden cruciform church designed by Martti Tolpo was completed in 1806. Its architecture is simple and clean-lined, and stylistically it represents Neoclassicism.

During the summer, Urjala Church serves as a Road Church and is open Mon–Thu 11 am–4 pm and Fri 9 am–1 pm.

Urjala’s first church may have been built as early as the 14th century in Urjalankylä. The site still features a stone sacristy dating from the 1520s–1540s.

However, the church and its cemetery eventually became too small, and in the early 19th century it was decided to build a new church in Laukeela, in the centre of the parish.