Petäjäveden Vanha Kirkko

The Finnish Lakeland


This wonderfully gnarled Unesco-listed wooden church is located in Petäjävesi, 35km west of Jyväskylä. Finished in 1765, it’s a marvellous example of 18th-century rustic Finnish architecture, with crooked wooden pews, a pulpit held up by a rosy-cheeked St Christopher, and a fairy-tale shingle roof. Burials took place under the floorboards. Buses from Jyväskylä (€8, 35 minutes) stop here on their journey to/from Keuruu. If coming by car, walk across a road bridge to the church from the car park.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Finnish Lakeland attractions

1. Keuruun Vanha Kirkko

15.34 MILES

Keuruu's fascinating wooden church, built between 1756 and 1759, has superb portraits of Bible characters (although the artist didn’t complete the set,…

2. Vanha Keuruu

15.4 MILES

Located across the main highway from the Old Church, Keuruu's museum is in one of a clutch of historic buildings housing craft shops and the like…

3. Alvar Aalto Museo

17.71 MILES

The town's most famous son and the subject of this museum was a giant of 20th-century architecture. Schooled in Jyväskylä, Aalto opened his first offices…

4. Keski-Suomen Museo

17.72 MILES

Adjacent to the Alvar Aalto Museo and also designed by him, this museum building was temporarily closed for a major restoration when we last visited. When…

5. Vitatorni Apartment Tower

17.72 MILES

In one of Jyväskylä's garden suburbs, this apartment block was designed by Alvar Aalto and built in 1962.

6. Suomen Käsityön Museo

18.13 MILES

Showcasing the National Costume Centre, which includes regional dress from around Finland, this handicrafts museum has a small permanent collection and…

7. Administrative and Cultural Centre

18.22 MILES

Jyväskylä's municipal headquarters are located in the block bounded by Vapaudenkatu, Kilpisenkatu and Hannikaisenkatu. The complex includes three…

8. Workers' Club Building

18.27 MILES

This is one of many buildings in Jyväskylä designed by its famous son, Alvar Aalto. Built between 1924 and 25, its a not particularly successful Italian…