Discover Hattula: Church Art, Lepaa and Nature

Church Art and History in Parola

According to current research, Hattulan Pyhän Ristin kirkko in Parola was built between 1472 and 1490. Its nave walls are adorned with numerous lime paintings dating from the 1510s, among the largest and most original in Finland. The older pulpit is also notable: dating from 1550, it is one of the oldest post-Reformation pulpits in Northern Europe and the oldest in Finland. The church has been known as an international pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages.

For most of the summer season, the church is open as a museum. Individual visitors can take guided tours; groups must book in advance. If you are planning a visit, take these seasonal opening and tour arrangements into account. Hattulan kirkko, also known as Hattulan uusi kirkko, offers a different architectural style: this Neo-Gothic brick church was built between 1852 and 1857 to designs by Ernst Bernhard Lohrmann.

In Parola, the Parola Armour Museum explores military history. Its main exhibition includes tanks, armoured vehicles, an armoured train and anti-tank equipment, among other items. The collections comprise around 8,000 exhibits in total, including 60 armoured vehicles, 30 anti-tank weapons and displays on personal history. The museum’s Tankkitupa café serves coffee, pastries, ice cream, filled sandwiches and savoury pies; offerings may change.

Lepaa: Park, Winery and Trade Fair

The parks and greenhouses in Lepaa attract many visitors throughout the year. The park at Lepaa Campus was the first park in Finland to receive a Green Flag Award. Local food and drink are also part of the municipality’s character: Lepaan viini- ja puutarhatila produces wines, beers and ciders. The winery shop offers café services and holds an alcohol serving licence. Groups can visit for wine tastings by arrangement; guided tours of the production facilities are also available. Check current arrangements before your visit.

Another part of Lepaa’s history is the Lepaan Mamselli windmill. Built in 1829, it was once used to lift water for the cultivated land. Lepaa Campus also hosts the annual Lepaa Exhibition, a trade fair for horticulture and the green industry that has been held there every year since 1964. Golf enthusiasts can add Lepaa Golf, with its nine-hole course, to their itinerary.

Peninsula, Viewpoint and Hillfort

Vanajanniemi is a natural peninsula in Hattula that extends into Iso Vanaja. It covers 72 hectares and has three kilometres of shoreline. Facilities there include a beach, an outdoor toilet, a campfire site, a walking path, a boat ramp and a marina. The location offers various ways to spend time by the water and outdoors.

Tenholan linnavuori, a prehistoric hillfort atop a sand ridge, offers a different view of the landscape. A signposted trail of about one kilometre leads there from the car park at Tenholantie 1. Signage may change, so check current information before your visit. From the summit, you can see Rapola in Sääksmäki and Aulangon linnavuori. At the foot of the hillfort, the municipality of Hattula maintains a campfire site. As its condition may change, check before visiting.

Activities Throughout the Seasons

In summer, Hiihtomaa has an 18-hole disc golf course. In winter, it has a floodlit slope for sledging. The Hiihtomaa shelter is on the Ilvesreitti trail. Another shelter in Lepaa is named after the legendary Lepaan Anna and can be reached via a forest path of about 300 metres from Annalantie. There are seven multisport and disc golf facilities in the municipality of Hattula in total. Those who prefer cycling will also find a mountain bike trail: it opened in 2022 as the first trail in the Kanta-Häme region to be maintained during winter. Maintenance and availability may vary by season; check the latest information before setting out.

For a different cultural focus, visit Tyrvännön järvikalastusmuseo. Maintained by Tyrväntö-Seura, this museum site offers insight into fishing methods and the history of fishing and crayfishing. It also hosts exhibitions that change annually. With its range of themes, Hattula is a municipality where you can tailor the balance of culture, nature and activities to your personal interests.

Choosing the Right Holiday Apartment in Hattula

When looking for a holiday apartment, first consider what you want your days to focus on: church art and museums, Lepaa with its park and winery, or nature and outdoor activities. Then consider how close your accommodation is to the places you actually plan to visit. This lets you make a choice that suits your planned stay, without making a single excursion the deciding factor for the whole municipality.

Discover More Destinations

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For the main travel overview: Kanta-Häme.