Lapinjärvi: Wooden Churches, Historic Routes and Nature

In Lapinjärvi, Swedish and Finnish wooden churches stand side by side; historic routes and natural attractions in the municipality complete the picture. The combination of an important church ensemble and places such as a beach, gorge and viewpoint makes Lapinjärvi an appealing destination if you want to plan culture and time outdoors together. When looking for a holiday rental, it is worth viewing the church village and the municipality’s other places as distinct focal points.

Wooden Churches and a Historic Village Setting

The Swedish and Finnish wooden churches in Lapinjärvi form an historically significant ensemble, standing side by side. The Swedish church has stained-glass windows by Lennart Segerstråle. The larger church contains a pulpit made by Hamina carpenter Theito in 1745. The windows and pulpit give the church art specific names and dates—from the stained-glass work to a piece of craftsmanship from the 18th century.

The churchyard is also home to the Gylling family burial chapel, dating from 1827. Carl F. Gylling and his family from Rutum Manor are buried there. Together with the churches and their furnishings, places like this add family history and craftsmanship to the picture. Nimismiehenpolku presents history on a village scale: in the church village, it forms a cohesive historic setting, with a densely built settlement of houses dating from 1850 to 1930. The Lapinjärvi Cultural Trail offers another cultural experience, where visitors can learn about the region’s rich history and traditions in a natural setting.

Routes Shaped Over Centuries

The Kirchen- and Pirtupolku routes form a culturally rich network of trails in the municipality of Lapinjärvi. It developed over several centuries through use by residents and animals. The historic Suosilta lies along the network: it is 140 metres long and 2 metres wide. The bridge adds a specific structure with clear dimensions to the history of the trail network.

Another historic route is Kylänraitti. The road ran from Koskenkylä to Kappelinkylä, the church village of Lapinjärvi, and continued via Pukaro and Kimonkylä to Elimäki and Anjala. It has been known since the 17th century and is probably older. The history of the area’s languages also extends beyond the village centre: the wider Lapinjärvi area has long been a linguistic border region. The easternmost and north-easternmost boundary of Swedish-speaking settlement in Finland runs through it.

Water, Rocks and a Paddling Route

Kirkonkylän uimaranta beach in Lapinjärvi is sandy, and the water deepens gradually. A picnic table and volleyball net add to the bathing area. This means you can enjoy time at the water in different ways, from swimming and picnicking to playing volleyball.

In Porlammi, Tornikallio is a popular viewpoint. Visitors can climb onto the rocks to take in the landscape. Tornikallio is also a survey point on the Struve Geodetic Arc, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Views and the history of surveying come together in one place. The Ruskiakallio Gorge in Kimonkylä, on Artjärventie, is a natural rock gorge with opportunities for climbing and geocaching. Near Pyhäjärvi, the paddling route enters the area managed by the municipality of Lapinjärvi. A 38-kilometre stretch of the Koskenkylänjoki River begins there.

When choosing a holiday rental, you can use these different focal points as a guide: the church village is home to the wooden churches, burial chapel and Nimismiehenpolku; the beach, viewpoint, gorge and paddling route also draw attention to other places in the municipality. Consider which of these interests you would like to include in your holiday, and tailor your search to your preferred starting point and personal mix of culture and nature.

Discover more destinations: Hermala, Sipoo, Kurkimäki, Lohja, Mäntsälä, Pernå, Kirkkonummi, Helsinki

Return to the regional travel overview: Uusimaa.