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Seinäjoki savour – fine food and architecture

Location: Seinäjoki, Finland

Duration: 1 day

Sites: The Seinäjoki Civic Centre, Aalto Library in Seinäjoki, The Cross of the Plains Church, The Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum

Available: All year

Accommodation: Not included

Transportation: Not included

Themes: Churches, Civic centers, Classicism, Cultural buildings, Local products, Museums, Restaurants

From 195 € per 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 Aalto Centre, a unique administrative and cultural centre by Alvar Aalto
  • The Cross of the Plains Church designed by Alvar Aalto
  • The largest private collection of Aalto glassware displayed in the Aalto library
  • Tasty Nordic flavours
  • The Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum

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.

The dinner is served at the jugendstil restaurant Alma in the former railroad workers´ house.

Local pure tastes are always at rendez-vous in Äärellä Restaurant. Photo: Visit Seinäjöki, Katja Lösönen.

Restaurant Äärellä in Seinäjoki has a modern and relaxed tounch. 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.
The Cross of the Plains Church in Seinäjoki. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.
The Cross of the Plains Church in Seinäjoki. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.
Seinäjoen Aalto-kirjasto
The Aalto Library in Seinäjoki has recently been renovated. Photo: Katja Lösönen, Visit Seinäjoki
Alma
Jugendstil restaurant Alma is located in the former railroad workers´ house. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki

Programme by day

Day 1: Seinäjoki savour - fine food and architecture

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 at the hotel restaurant Alma 

A Finnish menu is served at the hotel restaurant Alma. Alma is a historical and beautifully renovated architectural sight. It’s jugendstil main building has been an important gathering place for over a century. Duration 2 h.

Useful information

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.

Sites included in this trip

Seinäjoki Town Hall and The Aalto Centre. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.

The Seinäjoki Civic Centre

Seinäjoki

As an architectural whole, the Seinäjoki Civic Centre, or Administrative and Cultural Centre of 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…

Seinäjoki Town Hall and The Aalto Centre. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.

Aalto Library in Seinäjoki

Seinäjoki

The Aalto Library has recently been renovated. You can also admire there the largest private collection of Aalto glassware on display.

Seinäjoki Town Hall and The Aalto Centre. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.

The Cross of the Plains Church

Seinäjoki

The Cross of the Plains Church is the principal church of Seinäjoki. It was completed in April 1960.

Seinäjoki Town Hall and The Aalto Centre. Photo: Visit Seinäjoki, Katja Lösönen.

The Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum

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.

Information on this trip

Good to know

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.

  • Guided tours include stairs and uphill walking
  • Good shoes suitable for walking are highly recommended
  • Transfers between locations by charter bus
  • Transfers on locations on foot

Learn more about the Seinäjoki Aalto Centre on a mobile guide Tarinasoitin, (FI, EN, SVE, JPN) before or during the trip.

Included

  • Guided walking tour in the Seinäjoki Aalto Centre, 1,5 h.
  • Lunch in restaurant Äärellä in Kalevan Navetta Art and Culture Centre
  • Entrance fees and a guided tour in The Defence Corps and Lotta Svärd Museum, 1 – 1,5 h.
  • Three course dinner at hotel restaurant Alma in a historical setting

Excluded

  • Accommodation
  • Drinks during lunch or dinner
  • Transportation by bus
  • Train tickets

Example price 195 € per person

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.

Inquiries and bookings

Example price 195 € per person

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.

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