It is in the heart of Finnish Lakeland, some 270 km north of Helsinki, that the peaceful Jyväskylä has flourished since the 16th century. Bathed in hundreds of lakes and bordered by dense and uninhabited forests, it was once the meeting point of the indigenous tribes of the Häme and Samies before being elevated to the rank of a city in 1837 by Tsar Nicholas I. In the 20th century, its population grew exponentially to 142,000. The capital of Central Finland, marked by the prolific urban planner Alvar Aalto, Jyväskylä is also a dynamic university centre with considerable cultural activity, where, between saunas, endless walks and canoeing, well-being is a way of life. It is because nature remains intact and radiant.
Finnish culture and architecture
From Helsinki, even if flying is an option, choosing the road or train to Jyväskylä allows you to enjoy 3h30 of splendid panoramas, first wooded, then crossed the lagoons of the colossal Lake Päijänne. Soon the contours of the city centre, nestled between Lake Jyväsjärvi and Harju Hill, began to take shape. Thanks to a twilight autumn, the city, avant-garde in terms of urban lighting, is imperceptibly radiating. It is around Kompassiaukio Square that the locals - a third of whom are students - like to stroll around. 5,000 events punctuate the city's year: theatre, music, sports competitions, craft markets, artists' exhibitions... Boredom definitely has no place.
Without a doubt, the star here is Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), the country's most famous architect and designer. In 1923, he opened his firm in Jyväskylä, offering a vision of construction that was much more humanistic than his contemporaries, exploring in particular the so-called organic current. Today, 29 of his works dot the city, such as the astonishing museum complex - in a functionalist style - dedicated to the history of Central Finland and its creations, or the long Muurame church of Italian inspiration, running harmoniously on the eponymous hill. Not far away is the town hall of Säynätsalo, which Aalto erected in 1952, considered one of his most important works: with its red brick castle look surrounding a raised courtyard, the building with its profusion of details shows meticulous geometric rigour. The Aalto itinerary is done on foot, by bike or on board one of these famous Finnish houseboats, with the lake wooded landscapes in the background.
The Petäjävesi church, 30 km west of the city, is a must. Built in 1765 and classified by UNESCO since 1994, it is a typical example of both Scandinavian and Lutheran architecture, born of the long Nordic tradition of log construction. The majesty of its exterior appearance is matched only by the inventiveness of the wood sculptures that decorate its interior.
A happy nature
Due to its exceptional natural setting, Jyväskylä cultivates a very healthy way of life: we are here in the heart of Lake Finland! The ways to enjoy the benefits of nature are virtually endless, starting with the walk in the city itself, with its cycle and pedestrian paths. Surrounding it, the hilly terrain of the region is ideal for hiking and climbing, from the Kapeenniemi to Muuramenharju trails, to Leivonmäki National Park. In this respect, the Oravivuori Observatory, standing at the top of the thorny Korpilahti - 30 km south of the city - is worth seeing. Classified by UNESCO, it is one of the landmarks of the Struve Geodetic Arc, a chain of triangulation measurements set up in the 19th century between the Black Sea and the Arctic Ocean to determine the shape and size of the planet. Due to its aquatic luxuriance, you can canoe on the countless bodies of water, but you can also try paddling or even swimming, not to mention fishing in rivers or ponds, before reaching the summer tranquility of a rental chalet in the heart of unspoilt nature. Finally, what would a Finnish getaway be without the experience of an authentic sauna? The lake region is the national home, and again, there are many options: the largest chimneyless sauna in the world or on a raft in the middle of a lake, combined with yoga or sweat lodge. One thing is certain: in Finnish memory, it is with a happy heart and a peaceful soul that visitors have always left Jyväskylä..
Smart info
When? When? The weather in Jyväskylä is governed by a cold temperate climate. Due to its lakeside environment and northern location, rainfall is frequent throughout the year, while temperatures in the heart of winter reach -15°C and rise to 22°C in July and August. If summer is a blessed time to enjoy outdoor sports, no matter what season you visit Jyväskylä, the charm is there!
This summer it was even +30°C...
Getting there. Plan to fly about 3 hours between Paris and Helsinki.
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Duration. While a long weekend is a great opportunity to discover the city and its surrounding area, 10 days will allow you to take full advantage of all the possibilities offered by the region. Jyväskylä can also be part of a larger trip to Finland.
Public. Fans of architecture and culture of all kinds, lovers of nature and wide open spaces as well as sportsmen and fishermen will certainly find their happiness.
The pluses. A unique architectural heritage and a dynamic cultural life
A destination that does not know mass tourism.
An unspoilt nature.
The less. Particularly harsh weather in winter.
The language barrier.
However, the vast majority of Finns speak very good English.
Useful. To prepare your Finnish getaway as well as possible.
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