Päijät-Häme
REGION OF PÄIJÄT-HÄME – The Heart of Finland
The region of Päijät-Häme is situated between the coastal Finland and Lake District. Päijät-Häme has developed into modern economical region in terms of the nature. The landscape in the region is dominated by green forests and unspoiled pure lakes enriched by undulating forms of the Salpausselkä ridge. The region of Päijät-Häme can be called the heart of Finland, as the life in the post ice age period started from the surroundings of Lake Päijänne in the rural area of Asikkala. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region.
Surrounded by a charming scenery about 200,000 people live here, half of them in the regional centre of Lahti. A fifth of the Päijät-Häme regions 6,295 km2 is covered by lakes. The third largest lake of Finland, Lake Päijänne, dominates the region with its natural beauty. Apart from its significance for the touristic development of Päijät-Häme, it is also an important drinking water reservoir for the whole Southern Finland, including Helsinki. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region.
The Region of Päijät-Häme with lakes. Picture: Päijät-Hämeen liitto.
The region of Päijät-Häme is always open to the world not only when important sport competitions or festivals reach an international audience. Since Finland joined the European Union in 1995, centuries-old European connections are undergoing a permanent intensification. People in Päijät- Häme understand this as a chance to present one´s potentials to an international audience and to utilise one´s particularities for regional marketing. New influences are welcomed just as much as old traditions are still maintained. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region/gate_to_east_and_west.
The favourable geographical position is a decisive potential of the region of Päijät-Häme. Due to its central location between East and West, it was already known as a focal point for busy trade in the Middle Ages. Since the last century, traffic connections have been greatly extended, turning Päijät Häme into a "Gate to the East". The railway from Helsinki to St. Petersburg via Lahti, which was completed already in the 1870, also provides important impulses. New fast railway connection to St. Petersburg will be opened in the near future. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region/gate_to_east_and_west.
Päijät-Häme is a successful combination of towns and countryside. Today the region of Päijät-Häme offers a balanced mixture of original Finnish traditions and a modern way of life. In the vibrant countryside forestry, farming and animal husbandry are practiced. The towns provide fast transportation connections and services. Three of the municipalities are cities: Lahti, Heinola and Orimattila, the rest are rural municipalities: Hollola, Sysmä, Asikkala, Hämeenkoski, Hartola, Nastola, Kärkölä, Padasjoki and Artjärvi.
ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS & EDUCATION
The region is developing steadily. Quality, design and environment are the key words to know-how, not to forget the traditional fields of industry.
Wood and innovative potential are one of the most important resources for the region of Päijät-Häme. Although in addition to the woodworking and furniture industries, metal, plastic and textile goods are of the highest quality and locally manufactured for domestic and global markets. Progressive innovations originate especially from the environmental and recycling sector of the industry. Both agriculture and forestry still represent essential sources of income in the rural areas. During the summer months Päijät-Häme turns into a touristic area where tourists and local people spend their holidays living in summer cottages at the lake shores, enjoying lake scenery, nature and peacefulness. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region/environment_and_business.
The region of Päijät-Häme is known of its University of Applied Sciences, colleges and vocational institutions. For example the Design Institute of the University of Applied Sciences has been the recipient of numerous international awards in design. Also the Units of University of Helsinki and Lappeenranta University of Technology provide tertiary level studies in Lahti. The Salpaus Further Education provides vocational education for both young and adults in the Päijät-Häme region. Tradition is enhanced by education and experience. The future of the region is in competitive education, both vocational and academic. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region/environment_and_business.
VELLAMO, the coat of arms
The Region of Päijät-Häme got its own coat of arms in 1997. It represents a gorgeous fishtailed woman, Vellamo. The heraldic symbols of the coat of arms refers to the two natural elements typical of the region of Päijät-Häme. Firstly the lake Päijänne and secondly the folding long ridges both dominating the region. Vellamo holds a cuckoo in her right hand which refers to the Karelian people living in the region and the wistfully cuckooing emblem bird of their former homestead.
Many kinds of international and local beliefs of various ages are connected to the mysterious water nymph Vellamo, the symbol of the region of Päijät-Häme. In all its secrecy Vellamo is the perfect symbol of the region with pure lakes. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region/vellamo_in_the_coat_of_arms.
Vellamo, the coat of arms of Päijät-Häme. Picture: Päijät-Hämeen liitto.
Short descriptions of the municipalities:
HARTOLA
Hartola is situated 80 km north from Lahti and it has 3692 inhabitants. It has been inhabited since the Iron Age. The first historical documents of Hartola date back to 1398 when the Pope granted local people absolution, provided they attended church services. In those days local residents were part of the large parish of Sysmä. On August 31st, 1784, King Gustav III of Sweden declared Hartola a sovereign parish and named it after his son Gustav Adolf. According to tradition the King visited Hartola in the early 19th century and to commemorate this occasion the King´s Chair is still on display in the Itä-Häme Museum. Based on these facts Hartola was declared 1987 the “Royal Parish” in - the one and only in the Republic of Finland!
The East-Häme region is renowned for its manors. Of the eight manor houses in Hartola, the most important was Koskipää. At its largest Koskipää measured 25,000 hectares (about 65,000 acres), and there were nearly two hundred tenants there. Today Koskipää with its riverside park is a charming museum and exhibition area. The Itä-Häme museum is housed in the former manor buildings. The Eko manor offers educational services as Itä-Häme College, and Tollinmäki is a popular venue for festive occasions and meetings.
Today Hartola is lively and rapidly developing. Its economy is based on various branches of industry in addition to traditional agriculture and forestry. The forests and wood give employment to many skilled professionals. Various wooden products, like wood-based modular buildings and glued laminated timber by Finnforest, log houses by Suoranta, cross-country skis by Peltonen, as well as doors and windows by Länkelin are exported to countries all over the world. Hartola also produces high-quality clothing and metal products. The tourist industry is growing rapidly, too. http://www.hartola.fi/kielisivut/englanti/englanti.pdf
Finnforest wood-based modular house. Picture: Kari Peltonen
Norwegian skier Odd-Björn Hjelmeset uses. Peltonen Skis. Picture: YLE
SYSMÄ
Some 12 000 to 9000 years ago nearly all of Finland was covered in post-glacial lakes. Only the highest hills of the Päijänne region were above water. Signs of ancient habitation have been found on what were the shores of former islands. One of these places is Sysmä. Sysmä developed an important centre in the northern part of Päijät-Häme and it became a church parish in 1442. Today Sysmä has 4764 inhabitants.
Sysmä is located in the middle of lovely lakeland Finland, in the very heart of the unique south Päijänne lakescape, some 70 km north from Lahti. Sysmä and its environs have been graced with spectacular natural vistas. The highway through the Päijänne islands alone is well worth experiencing. But most wonderful of all is Päijänne itself, Finland's deepest and second largest lake. Its water - pure enough to drink - the tranquility of nature, and the experiences and recreational opportunities it offers have earned Sysmä high regard as a place to live and as a year-round resort. In Sysmä, you'll find the Finnish outdoors at its best: forests, lakes, wilderness areas, traditional villages, the changing seasons, peace, quiet and contentment.
The love of culture in Sysmä has developed over centuries and remains an important element of life in the region. Sysmä offers the visitors interesting artistic and cultural experiences year-round. Summer is the golden age of Sysmä. It sees the number of residents and tourists triple.
Sahti, home-brewed beer, is an essential part of Sysmä. Sahti has been brewed in Sysmä forever. World-known beer expert Michael Jackson described sahti as following: “Finnish sahti is one of the world’s extraordinary and clearly distinguishable beers. Each home-brewery has it’s own recipe.” ” Sahti has the aroma of butter and scent of dry manzanilla-sherry. In your mouth it is like almond and bitter-sweet. The strength of sahti varies but it has the tendency of taking off feet under its recipient”. Sahti is mostly served at weddings, midsummer feasts, work parties and at Christmas. http://www.sysma.fi/index.php?PAGE=22&NODE_ID=6
Sahti - a product with Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG), registrated by EU in 2002. Picture: http://217.30.184.9/epaijanne/files/disc/13bdc83ee73708919e2e511a2dee45a9_1_244_175_1.jpg
PADASJOKI
Padasjoki is located in the province of southern Finland, 50 km north from Lahti. It has 3505 inhabitants and was founded in 1442. The most important thing in Padasjoki is the beauty of nature. Besides lake Päijänne there are about 300 small lakes and ponds that feature the landscape. Fishing, boating or even sailing are famous in Padasjoki. Vast forests ensure not only living but also various ways of enjoying the woods.
Padasjoki inhabitants work among industry, construction, services and agriculture and forestry. Montreal Sports Oy (ice hockey sticks), Aarnon Puu Oy (furniture industry and subcontraction), Padaskeittiöt (kitchen fittings), Eimi-Kaluste Oy (rocking chairs) are enterprises that give bread to cabinet makers and joiners.
Well known and feasted are Padasjoki fishermen’s catch, ciscos from Päijänne-lake, homemade bread, strawberries and potatoes grown in the soil of Padasjoki, as well as many enterprises offering high quality holiday events and experiences to tourists. http://www.padasjoki.fi/
Lake Päijänne is the second largest lake in Finland, and in the middle of its open waters you can find a treasure; Päijänne National Park, which consists of small islets and bigger islands with steep rocks or sandy eskers. It is situated in the southern part of the lake, where about fifty uninhabited islands and islets, and parts of inhabited ones belong to the National Park. The park is most suitable for canoeing and boating, and almost all the areas of the park are only accessible by water. Kelvenne is the heart of Päijänne National Park, 8 km long amazing ridge-island located in Padasjoki. On the island of Kelvenne there are many signs of the ice age, and also lovely views. Kelvenne path comes up to 50 meter hight. Päijänne National Park is located in municipalities of Padasjoki, Sysmä and Asikkala. www.outdoors.fi/paijannenp
Padasjoki harbor in the summer. Picture: http://suomiopas.fi/uusi/thumb/small_1_padasjoki_1.jpg
ASIKKALA
Asikkala was founded in 1848 and has 8600 inhabitants. It was an important market place in the 17th century. The administrative center Vääksy is located between Lake Vesijärvi and Lake Päijänne some 25 kilometers north from Lahti. The two lakes are joined together with Vääksy river and Vääksy Channel, the busiest channel in Finland.
Lake Päijänne is the second largest and most important lake in Finland. Raw water is taken for more than a million finnish people from Päijänne. Water extremely high quality flows to the capital-area by Päijännetunnel, which is 120 km long. The tunnel was built in 1973-1982 inside the bedrock and it runs at the dept of 30-100 meters. The tunnel is 4,8m high and 3,8 m wide. The intake pipe is 350m long and it is made of Finnish pine. The pipe made by wood is waterproof under the water. The beginning of tunnel in Asikkala in the village of Pulkkila. As the difference between Asikkala and Vantaa is 36 m the water flows itself and it takes approximately 10 days to get there.
The Vääksy Chanel in Asikkala. Picture by Lakes.
Asikkala is also home to one of the best know fishing lure manufacturers in the world: Rapala. Lauri Rapala was born in 1905 in Sysmä in the village of Rapala , from where his mother Maria moved with her 5 years old son to Asikkala. He married and brought up 7 children living in a small cottage. To make a better living for himself and his family, Lauri started to develop a lure that would increase the productivity of his fishing. In 1936 he finally managed to carve a rough-looking lure that produced an off-centre and enticing wobbling action - the one that still is basis for many Rapala-lures The story of Rapala lures had begun. Today Rapala sells lures to 140 countries, some 20 million pieces per year.
World famous Rapala lures. Picture: www.rapala.com
HEINOLA
Heinola is situated by Kymijoki river and has excellent transportation connections. Through the city run both E4 and regional road number 5. Heinola is 35 kilometers north from Lahti, 138 km north from Helsinki and 133 kilometers south from Jyväskylä. Heinola became a town in 1839 and it has population of just over 20 000.
There is evidence of people living in the area that is now Heinola from the very distant past, but these parts remained hunting grounds, with very few inhabitants, up to the 1700s. From long ago however, the great Savo road from Hollola’s Lahti to the north crossed the Jyrängönvirta River.
An aerial view of Heinola town. Picture: www.heinola.fi
The importance of Heinola underwent a fundamental upheaval in 1776 when King Gustav III consolidated it as a new civic centre, an official residence in the Kymenkartano province he had divided into two parts. The north bank of the Jyrängönvirta River was thus instantly transformed into an economic and administrative centre. Old Heinola was a typical administrative and trading centre, with various craftspeople, blacksmiths, woodcarvers, goldsmiths and watchmakers, dyers, tanners, weavers, spinners, bricklayers, painters, tailors, and so on. There were windmills and watermills, and later sawmills, leatherworks, and even a machine work.
In the early decades of the 1800s, the official residence and its surroundings had about a thousand inhabitants. Local news sheets contained advertisements for workers, and a prominent group of craftspeople moved to the area. The brewing and distilling industry expanded significantly from the 1700s and into the 1800s.
Finland’s change of status to a Grand Duchy of Russia in 1809 moved the country’s eastern border further to the east, and a new official government seat was established in Mikkeli. Heinola petitioned for official status as a city as compensation, and it was finally granted in 1839 by Tsar Nicholas I. In the last years of this period of Russian rule, Heinola enjoyed a quiet existence as a small rural town. The population passed 1000 in the mid-1870s. At the turn of the 20th century, two institutions were established which would have a far-reaching effect: the public baths in 1891 (this facility was popular among Finnish and foreign spa guests alike and livened up the summer atmosphere in Heinola) and the teacher training college in 1899. The baths were closed down at the time of the Second World War, and the teacher training college stopped training teachers after a reorganisation in 1972.
Today Heinola is a lively, pleasant small city close to nature. In southern Heinola, in Vierumäki village, is located Suomen Urheiluopisto, one of the leading sports and outdoor resorts in Finland. Vierumäki has a wide variety of outdoor activities. In the summer 2006 started new 18-hole golf course. Path and skiing tracks of various lengths are well known. Heinola is also known for it’s woodworking industry. (http://www.heinola.fi/FIN/Yleistietoja_Heinolasta/etusivu.htm)
Heinola Harbour. Picture: http://www.heinola.fi
HÄMEENKOSKI
Hämeenkoski is situated 29 km north from Lahti. It has 2136 inhabitants and was founded in 1865. Koski, Häme province, is mentioned as sovereign parish in documents already in year 1410 but the name Hämeenkoski was first used in 1995.
Hämeenkoski is also called the parish of Paasikivi because former president Juho Kusti Paasikivi was born in Koski Huljala village in November 1870, when merchant Johan Hellsten and his wife were on their way from Tampere to Lahti and her labour started. President-to-come was born in a malt sauna of local farm house. A monument of Juho Kustaa Paasikivi reminds of that incident at Huljala village. http://www.hameenkoski.fi/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=31
The latest immigrants of Hämeenkoski are the American bisons of Tupala farm.
Picture: http://www.phnet.fi/kylat/putula/biisonit.htm
HOLLOLA
Hollola is situated some eight kilometers west of Lahti. It has been known as an administrative area since the 13th century and the municipality itself was founded in 1865. Since the 1960s it has seen great changes in population growth and living patterns. Once a rural community, it has now become an industrial area with a broad service sector. Hollola is nowadays one of the most vibrant and largest rural communities in the whole Finland. Its vitality is shown in growth in both inhabitant numbers and workplaces. The shores of Lake Vesijärvi are also very popular with summer recidents. http://www.hollola.fi/keskus/frame/frame4b.htm.
Construction of the new administrative centre Salpakangas began in the 1960s and it has developed a great deal since then. About 60 % of the 21.200 inhabitants live in the new centre where both administrative and commercial services can be found within walking distance. http://www.hollola.fi/keskus/frame/frame4b.htm.
As the leading parish of Päijät-Häme Hollola has carefully preserved its historical heritage. The architecturally and historically important church with its surroundings, the cultural route that follows the shores of Lake Vesijärvi and leads from Lahti to Hollola church together with the landscape of archaeological interest afforded by the seven villages of Vainio provide memorable experiences. All the different villages in Hollola are very actively involved in folk dancing, acting and in organizing various events of historical interest. http://www.hollola.fi/keskus/frame/frame4b.htm.
The medieval greystone church of Hollola is situated on the shore of Lake Vesijärvi. The special features of the church include two aisles, star vaults with embossed ring ornaments and wooden carvings of historical importance. The decoration of the west gable is among the most beautiful in Finland. According to folk stories the medieval grey stone church of Hollola was built by two giants called Hollo and Martta. It is said that Hollo gave the whole parish its name Hollola. http://www.hollola.fi/keskus/frame/frame4b.htm.
Hollola medieval church, the third largest in Finland. Picture by Lakes.
Hollola’s coat of arms refers to farming and hunting. The elk also appears in the old medieval churches artwork. http://www.hollola.fi/keskus/frame/frame1.htm.
Messilä is a farming estate dating back many hundreds of years which has been converted into a leisure centre offering numerous facilities in both winter and summer. Unique nature creates dozens of possibilities to enjoy outdoor activities. www.messila.fi.
Old traditions are well alive in Messilä today. The main building in the court-yard is the beautiful Manor House, built in the beginning of 1900, now transformed into a pleasant restaurant and meeting place. Hotel offers different kind of accommodation - traditional hotel rooms, romantic old store houses and logcabins with sauna. Messilä is surrounded by woody ridges of Salpausselkä, and the scene to the lake is clear and gorgeous, as it always used to be. Pirunpesä cleft in the rock in Tiirismaa is also nature beauty close to Messilä. About ten kilometres next to Messilä is Hollola church village area and winter sport city Lahti is only 8 kilometers from Messilä. www.messila.fi/en/Home/.
Messilä Ski-center. Picture from www.messila.fi
LAHTI
Lahti is the regional capital and the 8th largest city of Finland with some 100 000 inhabitants. The city of Lahti represents the geographical and functional centre of the region of Päijät-Häme. The location of Lahti is logistically advantageous. 1.5 million People live within 100 km of the city, the Helsinki-St. Petersburg railway passes through the centre and the new motorway link to Helsinki makes Lahti easy to reach. (www.lahti.fi). Lahti can be reached from the Helsinki City Centre by train or international airport Helsinki-Vantaa by bus in just 60 minutes. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region. Lahti is both an environmentally clean city and one of environmental know-how.
Lahti is a young city of entrepreneurship. Rapid industrialization began in the 1870s in the wake of rail connections, the Vääksy waterway and a lake harbor. (http://www.lahti.fi/). The private business sector has always played an important part in the economy of Lahti, with the public sector contributing a remarkably small percentage of jobs in the city. Small and medium-sized enterprises make up the largest percentage of businesses, and 15% of the workforce is entrepreneurs. The recession in the early 1990s had a considerable impact on the traditional industries of Lahti, and even today unemployment remains high.
Lahti has long industrial traditions, particularly in the field of carpentry. In addition, furniture and other wood-related industry and plastics knowhow, environmental technology and design besides successful mechatronic industry are considered as potential future opportunities for the region. Flexible subcontracting is an important resource of the Lahti business sector. An international logistic centre is developing in Lahti due to its good logistic opportunities as a gateway to Russia. Most new jobs are in service sector.
A varied selection of green environments including unpolluted forests and lakes provide good opportunities for tourism. Moreover, congresses and mass events are two developing branches of tourism in Lahti. (www.lahti.fi)
Lahti offers a remarkable variety of cultural events, ranging from the Lahti International Organ Festival to different theatre plays and interesting exhibitions. The outstanding world famous Lahti Symphony Orchestra, especially famous for its highly regarded performances of the works of Finland´s national composer Jean Sibelius, also deserves to be mentioned. In the honor of Sibelius Lahti has built a wooden congress and concert hall, called the Sibelius Hall, in the Lahti harbor. http://www.paijat-hame.fi/en/region/sports_and_culture
The city of Lahti is internationally known to anyone interested in sports. Since 1926 the World Championships in cross-country skiing have been organized here for numerous times. In year 2001 the Nordic Ski World Championships will be arranged again in Lahti. Also the annual "Salpausselkä-Games" stimulate this winter resort´s development.
World Famous Ski Jumps in Lahti Sports center. Picture: Lakes
NASTOLA
Nastola is situated 15 km east from Lahti and it has 15 000 inhabitants. Nastola is one of the places with Stone Age history. Ancient old findings of habitation indicate that Nastola has been inhabited already at pre-ceramic time , years 7000-4200 BC. Written history of Nastola can be followed over four hundred years back, till 1550. http://www.nastola.fi/nastola_tietoa.html, http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nastola
At 1960’s more industrial space was built in Nastola than in any other village in entire Finland. Novart is one of the leading kitchen fitting enterprises in Finland. Both private consumers and construction firms are offered best products and service by 400 workers in Nastola. http://www.novart.fi/novart/novartweb3.nsf/sp?open&cid=Content7CFC6&novartnf=Navi1\Novart%20työnantajana&novartnfa=o
Pajulahti Sports Center is a modern sports, leisure and education center located on beautiful Lake Iso-Kukkanen in Nastola, only 20 km east of the City of Lahti. Their training center cooperates with national and international sports associations, national teams, sports clubs and individual athletes. As the sign of international prestige Pajulahti has been accepted as one of the six international training centers by the International Wrestling Federation FILA. http://www.pajulahti.com/eng/sivu.php?kieli=2
Aqua sports in Pajulahti Sports Center. Picture: http://www.suh.fi/@Bin/131495/kuva0_suuri-24821.jpeg
KÄRKÖLÄ
Kärkölä is situated 25 km south-west from Lahti. It has 5000 inhabitants and was founded in 1865.
In Kärkölä there is a unique English style landscape park called Huovila park. It was founded by Carl Constantin Collin at the beginning of 1900 century and has been recently carefully renovated.
http://www.karkola.fi/Huovilan_puisto/index.htm
English style Huovila Park. Picture: http://www.orimattilanmaanpuolustusnaiset.net/Huovilan%20Puisto%20011.jpg
Koskisen Oy is part of Koskisen Group, one of the most important employer in Kärkölä. Main sectors of Koskisen Oy is mechanical wood processing, such as timber industry, chipboard industry, plywood industry, wooden ready-made houses, birch product industry and wood procurement. http://www.koskisen.fi/ncms.aspx?name=frontpage&lcid=1033
ORIMATTILA
Orimattila is the geographical centre of province of Southern Finland. The municipality of Orimattila was founded in 1865 and it became a town in 1992. Orimattila has almost 15 000 inhabitants and it is situated about 20 km’s south from Lahti and some 90 km’s north from Helsinki.
Wintry Orimattila center. Picture: http://www.ilmakuvat.com/kuvaukset/orimattila_290308/images/IMG_7474.jpg
By Porvoo river, in Orimattila, has been found some of the oldest stone-age camp sites in Finland. The river was also the birth place of old mills and sawmills as well as many old mansions. Orimattila has many art museums and it is the birth place of world known film directors Aki and Mika Kaurismäki. Orimattila is also known as parish of horses – even the coat of arms has horses in it.
Orimattila coat of arms.
Picture: http://www.paijat-hame.fi/easydata/customers/paijathame/files/ph_liitto/kuvat/vaakunat/orimattila.jpg
In the northern village of Pennala new industry and logistical services are developed. One example is Itella, the national post, who built their logistic center there.
ARTJÄRVI
Artjärvi is a small rural municipality in the southern part of Päijät-Häme, about 50 km South-east from Lahti. It was founded in 1866 and is located around three beautiful lakes. Today Artjärvi has 1461 inhabitants. Because of the low population and raising costs, there is a discussion about joining the neighbouring town, Orimattila. Artjärvi also has the same discussions with two other municipalities, one of which is Lahti.
Artjärvi has many opportunities for water sports. Picture: www.artjarvi.fi
The biggest employers in Artjärvi are the municipality and Ruskovilla, which is a textile manufacturer that is known for its underwear, socks, warmers and bedclothes, especially baby and children’s clothers. Ruskovilla produce clothes and textiles from natural fibres ecologically. http://www.ruskovilla.fi/uk/filosofia.cfm, www.artjarvi.fi
Artjärvi has also an observatory, which is occasionally open for visitors. Picture: www.artjarvi.fi
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