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Alvar Aalto – e la natura – architectural cruise

Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Duration: 4 h

Sites: Säynätsalo Town Hall

Available: June/July/August, Wednesday-Friday

Accommodation: Not included

Transportation: Not included

Themes: Boat trip, Civic centers, Cultural buildings, Modernism, Red brick

From 35 € per person

Experience Alvar Aalto’s architecture and the Finnish Lakeland just like Aalto himself did.

Tour highlights:

  • S/S Suomi and the Finnish Lakeland
  • Säynätsalo Town Hall

Welcome to experience the Alvar Aalto Cruise on Lake Päijänne. The most well-known Finnish architect Alvar Aalto used to spend his time in the beautiful Säynätsalo area where he also used to have his summer house – designed by himself of course.

During this trip you will get to know Alvar Aalto’s history and the Säynätasalo Town Hall which was designed by Aalto. Did you know that Alvar Aalto often travelled to Säynätsalo by the same boat S/S Suomi?

Aalto e la natura Cruise in Lakeland Jyväskylä. Photo: Walmari Kalevi-Korhonen

Säynätsalo Town Hall’s main lobby and the office corridor curve around the inner courtyard. Photo: Tero Takalo-Eskola, Visit Jyväskylä

Enjoy the Finnish Lakeland sceneries and experience the world-class architecture. Lake Päijänne is the longest and second largest lake in Finland, Säynätsalo Town Hall is among Alvar Aalto’s most significant works.
Säynätsalo Town Hall, photo Maija Holma Alvar Aalto Museum
"Butterfly" details of the Council Chamber in the Säynätsalo Town Hall. Photo Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation
Aalto-Säynätsalon-kunnantalo-Visit-Jyväskylä-Tero-Takalo-Eskola
Säynätsalo Town Hall is one of Aalto’s most admired designs. Photo: Tero Takalo-Eskola, Visit Jyväskylä
Säynätsalo Town Hall kunnantalon valtuustosali kuva Tero Takalo-Eskola
All the interiors for the Säynätsalo Town Hall were also designed by Aalto's studio. Photo: Tero Takalo-Eskola, Visit Jyväskylä
Aalto e la natura Tour on Lake Päijänne, photo Visit Jyväskylä Tero Takalo-Eskola
Aalto e la natura Tour on Lake Päijänne. Photo: Tero Takalo-Eskola, Visit Jyväskylä
Lakeland scenery in Jyväskylä, photo Atacan Ergin
Lakeland scenery in Jyväskylä. Photo: Atacan Ergin

Programme by day

Day 1: Architectural cruise on Lake Päijänne

14.00 Our genuine steam boat S/S Suomi departs from Jyväskylä harbour.

15.20 Arrival at Säynätsalo pier where the guide is waiting, walk to the town hall.

15.30 Guided tour at the Säynätsalo Town Hall. This unique building attracted attention as early as at the construction stage. Since completion, the building has attracted visitors from all over the world.

17.00 Local bus no 16 to the centre of Jyväskylä.

 

Useful information

Trip takes approx. 4.5 h, of which 1 h 20 min on board.

Lunch during the cruise or coffee with Alvar Aalto cake at the Town Hall are optional.

Sites included in this trip

Aalto e la natura Cruise in Lakeland Jyväskylä, photo Walmari Kalevi-Korhonen

Säynätsalo Town Hall

Jyväskylä / 1949-52

The invitational competition for Säynätsalo Town Hall was held in 1949. Aalto won the competition with an entry marked ‘Curia’, and was immediately commissioned to prepare working drawings. Completed in 1952, the building is one of Aalto’s most admired designs. The dominant element of the building is the council chamber,…

Information on this trip

Good to know

  • The cruise starts from the Jyväskylä harbour to where the participants arrive on their own.
  • Guided walk from the Säynätsalo pier to the town hall approx. 10 minutes.
  • Return from Säynätsalo to Jyväskylä by local bus, approx. half an hour. Local traffic Trip Planner.
  • The tour includes some walking and stairs. Suitable for persons with normal physical condition. Not unobstructed in all respects.
  • Duration approx. 4.5 hours, of which 1 h 20 min on board.
  • For further information see the websites Säynätsalo Town Hall, Visit Jyväskylä and Lake Päijänne Cruises.

Included

  • The cruise from Jyväskylä to Säynätsalo.
  • Guidance at the Säynätsalo Town Hall.
  • The return bus ticket of a local bus.

Optional services

  • Lunch during the cruise, 21.00 per person.
  • Coffee with Alvar Aalto cake at Säynätsalo Town Hall, 5.50 per person.

Excluded

  • Transport to the point of departure in Jyväskylä harbor.

Example price 35 € per person

  • The price 35 € per person includes VAT.
  • Availability from Wednesday to Friday during June, July and August, not available on 21.6. – 23.6.
  • All rights reserved.

Inquiries and bookings

Example price 35 € per person

  • The price 35 € per person includes VAT.
  • Availability from Wednesday to Friday during June, July and August, not available on 21.6. – 23.6.
  • All rights reserved.
Päijänne-Risteilyt Hilden Oy

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