Location: Finland, Seinäjoki Finland
Duration: 1 day
Accomodation: Not included
Transportation: Not included
Themes: Churches, Civic centers, Classicism, Cultural buildings, Restaurants
From Starting 195 € / person
Experience the unique administrative and cultural center and the Cross of the Plains Church designed by Alvar Aalto, and taste the pure Nordic flavours in Seinäjoki.
Tour highlights:
The cultural and administrative centre of Seinäjoki is designed by Alvar Aalto. The unique centre consists of six buildings: the Cross of the Plains Church, Parish centre, City Hall, municipal library, governmental office building and City Theatre. The Cross of the Plains Church is the landmark of the city. The library designed by Aalto has recently been completely renovated, and the largest private collection of Aalto glassware is there on display. The guided tour takes you through the Aalto centre.
A delicious lunch with Nordic flavours and local ingredients will be served in Restaurant Äärellä, which is located in recently opened Kalevan Navetta Art and Culture Centre.
Explore The Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum, which is dedicated to voluntary national defence. The museum building was designed by Aalto in the 1920s as a Defence Corps building. Stylistically it represents Nordic Classicism. Today it is one of the rare building from Aalto’s early career that has retained well near its original appearance. It has been renovated since the 1980’ as close to original plans as possible.
Dinner is served in a historical and elegant Manor Hourse of Uppala, where Aalto themed menu will excite your tastebuds!
Uppala Manor serves a delicious menu inspired by Aalto and Finnish nature. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.
Uppala Manor dessert in Seinäjoki. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.
Savour the local Ostrobothnian flavours and Finnish ingredients: enjoy a delicious lunch made from local ingredients at Äärellä-restaurant in Kalevan Navetta Art and Culture Centre, dine at the Manor House of Uppala and taste the Finnish menu with international twists.
Day starts with a guided walking tour at the Seinäjoki Aalto Centre (FI, EN, SVE, DE, RU, JPN)
Alvar Aalto designed the cultural and administrative center of Seinäjoki. The unique centre consists of six buildings: the Cross of the Plains Church, Parish centre, City Hall, municipal library, governmental office building and City Theatre. During the summer you can also visit the 65-metre high church tower and enjoy the scenery. It is also recommended to go and see the new library Apila, which is connected to the Aalto Library by an underground passageway. Apila was designed by the Finnish office JKMM Architects. The largest private collection of Aalto glassware is on display at the Aalto Library. Duration 2 hours.
From the Aalto Centre, the tour will continue onward to the Kalevan Navetta Art and Culture Centre. Lunch will be served at Äärellä-restaurant. Äärellä is a lively urban restaurant that serves a delicious lunch made from local ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. At the same time, you will be able to explore and get to know local arts and crafts and shop in the local handicraft shop; Taito Shop Seinäjoki. Duration 1,5 hours.
Shopping: Taito Shop Seinäjoki
Taito Shop Seinäjoki offers a selection of Finnish and more specifically local Ostrobothnian handicrafts. The products are funny, creative and contemporary – perfect for everyday use or as gifts. Open from Monday to Friday 11 – 19, Saturdays 11 – 15. Read more on www.kalevannavetta.fi
A visit to The Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum
Day continues with a guided tour in the Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum, which is dedicated to voluntary national defence. The museum building was designed by Aalto in the 1920s as a Defence Corps building. Stylistically it represents Nordic Classicism. Today it is one of the rare building from Aalto’s early career that has retained well near its original appearance. It has been renovated since the 1980’ as close to original plans as possible.
Dinner with an Aalto menu in restaurant Manor House of Uppala
The day will culminate at the Manos House of Uppala, where dinner will be served in Restaurant Uppala. The estate is one of the oldest in Seinäjoki and its history has been traced to the 17th century. The Manor House of Uppala was opened in July 2009. The house has still the original construction dating back to the 18th century. Duration 2 hours.
Alvar Aalto has visited Uppala. He was friends with the former owner Jussi Tala and he dined at Uppala during the construction of the Cross of the Plains Church, long before the restaurant opened.
You shall be served a menu à la Aalto. The dishes are compilation of design and Finnish nature – which was the major source of inspiration for Alvar Aalto. The dishes have international twists, as Aalto himself was a cosmopolite. References to Italy, a country dear to Aalto, are visible in many of his buildings. The Aalto menu of Uppala is made of beautiful and detailed dishes, fish from Finnish lakes, berries, mushroom and game from the forest, and a touch of European cuisine.
At extra charge: drinks during lunch and dinner.
OPTION:
Accommodation at Hotel Alma, in Seinäjoki:
The tour does not include accommodation. However, we can warmly recommend Hotel Alma. It is located very near to the railway station and it is one of the oldest buildings in Seinäjoki.
Get to know other hotels in Seinäjoki area
Brewery tour: Mallaskoski Brewery / Mallaskosken Panimo
A visit to the brewery with a guided tour and a possibility to taste the products.
The founder of the Mallaskoski Brewery, Johan Wallenius, started to brew beer in 1921 in an old washing house. In 1928 he decided to buy a plot by the raging rapids and build a mill, that would produce refreshers and beer. Today the beer is also exported abroad.
The beer is still produced using the same yeast, by the same foaming rapids, with the same persistent attitude, handmade and without preservatives. Within the brewery there is a restaurant, which offers a mighty view to the foaming rapids of the river Seinäjoki.
Local ceramics: Amfora’s boutique
Finnish design has received worldwide recognition. At Amfora’s boutique you will get to discover beauty and uniqueness of Scandinavian design by Päivi Rintaniemi. Amfora’s ceramics are produced with high quality for both everyday life and special moments.
1. Seinäjoki
Seinäjoki
As an architectural whole, the Administrative and Cultural Centre in Seinäjoki is unique on a global scale. Seinäjoki is also the location of the Defence Corps Building built in 1924-26, one of the rare works from Aalto’s youth. The Administrative and Cultural Centre consists of six buildings and the Civic…
Seinäjoki
The Aalto Library has recently been renovated. You can also admire there the largest private collection of Aalto glassware on display.
Seinäjoki
The Cross of the Plains Church is the principal church of Seinäjoki. It was completed in April 1960.
Seinäjoki
The Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum is dedicated to voluntary national defence. The museum building was designed by Aalto in the 1920s as a Defence Corps building. Stylistically it represents Nordic Classicism.
Arrival in Seinäjoki by a charter bus or by train.
Please note, that the tour includes some walking, walking uphill and stairs. Suitable for persons with normal physical condition. Not unobstructed in all respects.
Learn more about the Seinäjoki Aalto Centre on a mobile guide Tarinasoitin, (FI, EN, SVE, JPN) before or during the trip.
The price has been calculated for a group of 10 persons. Accommodation is not included. The availability of the services and the prices are revised and confirmed according to the time of travel when responding to a customer enquiry. The programme is a suggestion and can be adjusted according to the customer’s needs. All rights reserved.
We follow the general terms and conditions for package tours.
The price has been calculated for a group of 10 persons. Accommodation is not included. The availability of the services and the prices are revised and confirmed according to the time of travel when responding to a customer enquiry. The programme is a suggestion and can be adjusted according to the customer’s needs. All rights reserved.
We follow the general terms and conditions for package tours.
Tiedekatu 2
60320, Seinäjoki