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Tour of Eura – from prehistory to Alvar Aalto

Location: Eura, Finland

Duration: 1 day

Sites: Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works at Eura, Alvar Aalto’s Terraced House, Riverside Sauna

Available: All year, except on Mondays

Accommodation: Not included

Transportation: Not included

Themes: Aalto homes, Finnish sauna and pools, Industrial sites, River, Terraced houses

From 56 € per person

From prehistory to Alvar Aalto – experience the rich Viking era in Eura and Alvar Aalto’s imprint at Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works.

Tour highlights:

  • Euran Pirtti
  • Laughing Dragon (guidance centre in prehistory)
  • Luistari Ancient Park
  • Alvar Aalto’s Terraced House
  • Riverside Sauna

The day starts with a visit to Euran Pirtti, the building of the local youth association in Eura, designed by Jalmari Karhula. At Euran Pirtti, we have morning coffee with the delicious Euran rinkilä doughnuts, which have been selected for the list of living Finnish heritage.

The tour continues to “Naurava lohikäärme”, or Laughing Dragon, which is a guidance centre in prehistory, housed in an old stone cowhouse. A guide presents the prehistory of Eura, especially the region’s rich Viking era. You can try prehistoric handicrafts and guess the weight of a copy of a Viking sword. In the shop of Laughing Dragon, you can buy products that are based on the abundant ancient prehistoric finds made in Eura.

We continue by bus with the guide towards the Luistari Ancient Park, which is one of the most important areas for prehistoric relics in Finland. More than 1300 Iron Age graves have been studied at Luistari. In the summer, there is a photography exhibition of the excavations in the area.

After the guided tour, we continue with the guide to Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works and have lunch at Kauttua Club, which is the main building of the ironworks from 1802.

The day continues after lunch with a guided walking tour or bus tour in Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works. Here we get to know the buildings in the industrial environment: the old residential buildings from the times of the ironworks and Villa Ahlström representing the classic style, designed by Jarl Eklund in 1911. After this, we will learn about the influence of Alvar Aalto at Ruukinpuisto. We will visit the Terraced House and its apartment exhibition where architecture, interior decoration and art meet each other. At the end of the day, the tour includes visits to the other Aalto attractions such as the Riverside Sauna, which was originally built for the workers. The building now houses a cafeteria and a design shop. Afternoon coffee is served at the Riverside Sauna.

The Terraced House in Kauttua Ironworks is one of Alvar Aalto’s most prominent works also internationally. Photo: Elina Liukkonen, Alvar Aalto Foundation

Aino and Alvar Aalto designed the riverside sauna and laundry building for the employees of A. Ahlström Osakeyhtiö. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation

Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works we get to know the buildings in the industrial environment and Villa Ahlström representing the classic style to Aalto attractions such as the Riverside Sauna, which was originally built for the workers.
Kauttu Ruukinpuisto Works Sauna with a Lake
Kauttu Ruukinpuisto Works Sauna with a Lake
Kauttua Club at Ruukinpuisto Works
Kauttua Club is situated in the heart of the Kauttua Ironworks in Eura.
Villa Aalto accommodation
Villa Aalto accommodation

Programme by day

Day 1: From prehistory to Alvar Aalto

The day starts with a visit to Euran Pirtti, the building of the local youth association in Eura, designed by Jalmari Karhula. At Euran Pirtti, we have morning coffee with the delicious Euran rinkilä doughnuts, which have been selected for the list of living Finnish heritage.

The tour continues to “Naurava lohikäärme”, or Laughing Dragon, which is a guidance centre in prehistory, housed in an old stone cowhouse. A guide presents the prehistory of Eura, especially the region’s rich Viking era. You can try prehistoric handicrafts and guess the weight of a copy of a Viking sword. In the shop of Laughing Dragon, you can buy products that are based on the abundant ancient prehistoric finds made in Eura.

We continue by bus with the guide towards the Luistari Ancient Park, which is one of the most important areas for prehistoric relics in Finland. More than 1300 Iron Age graves have been studied at Luistari. In the summer, there is a photography exhibition of the excavations in the area.

After the guided tour, we continue with the guide to Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works and have lunch at Kauttua Club, which is the main building of the ironworks from 1802.

The day continues after lunch with a guided walking tour or bus tour in Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works. Here we get to know the buildings in the industrial environment: the old residential buildings from the times of the ironworks and Villa Ahlström representing the classic style, designed by Jarl Eklund in 1911. After this, we will learn about the influence of Alvar Aalto at Ruukinpuisto. We will visit the Terraced House and its apartment exhibition where architecture, interior decoration and art meet each other. At the end of the day, the tour includes visits to the other Aalto attractions such as the Riverside Sauna, which was originally built for the workers. The building now houses a cafeteria and a design shop. Afternoon coffee is served at the Riverside Sauna.

Useful information
  • Package tour using the group’s bus + group guide
  • Size of group 8 to 30 persons or minimum charge for 8 persons
  • Valid throughout the year, Tuesday to Friday
  • Duration approx. 7 hours
  • The tour is available in Finnish, English and Swedish

Sites included in this trip

Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works in Eura

Alvar Aalto’s Terraced House

Eura

Terraced House and its apartment exhibition where architecture, interior decoration and art meet each other.

Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works in Eura

Riverside Sauna

Eura

Aalto attractions such as the Riverside Sauna, which was originally built for the workers. The building now houses a cafeteria and a design shop. Afternoon coffee is served at the Riverside Sauna.

Information on this trip

Good to know

Important information

  • The yard area of the Terraced House is not accessible by bus; instead, you have to walk uphill.
  • Transfers from one place to another take place in the group’s own bus.
  • Visitors are advised to wear sturdy footwear.

Walking info

  • The Terraced House is not accessible for the disabled.

Included

  • 1 x lunch
  • 2 x coffee/tea and sweet/salty snack
  • 4 x guided tour: Laughing Dragon, Luistari, Kauttua Ruukinpuisto Works, Alvar Aalto’s Terraced House and other Aalto attractions
  • admission fees

Example price 56 € per person

Price is estimated for a group of 30 people.

The programme can be adjusted according to needs of the group. The tour is also available for individuals. Please ask the agency for detailed information!

The tour is available all year, however the opening times of sights and museums can affect the availability.

All rights reserved. We follow the general terms and conditions for package tours.

Inquiries and bookings

Example price 56 € per person

Price is estimated for a group of 30 people.

The programme can be adjusted according to needs of the group. The tour is also available for individuals. Please ask the agency for detailed information!

The tour is available all year, however the opening times of sights and museums can affect the availability.

All rights reserved. We follow the general terms and conditions for package tours.

Book trip

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