Hattula combines medieval church art in Parola with natural destinations and traces of regional history. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can start with your interests: would you like to spend time exploring churches and collections, enjoy the outdoors, or discover the garden and wine-growing culture in Lepaa? The municipality offers specific places to explore in each of these areas.
Church Art and Collections
In Parola stands the Hattulan Pyhän Ristin kirkko. According to current research, it was built between 1472 and 1490. The walls of the nave bear numerous lime paintings from the 1510s, which are among the largest and most original in Finland. The older pulpit is also noteworthy: it dates from 1550, is considered Finland’s oldest post-Reformation pulpit, and is among the oldest in Northern Europe. 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 them in advance. The Hattulan kirkko, also called the Hattulan uusi kirkko, tells a different story: the Neo-Gothic brick church was built from 1852 to 1857 to plans by the architect Ernst Bernhard Lohrmann.
The Parola Armour Museum is dedicated to armoured vehicles and their history. Its collections comprise around 8,000 exhibits, including 60 armoured vehicles, 30 anti-tank weapons and displays on personal stories. The main exhibition includes tanks, an armoured train, anti-tank guns and other equipment. At Café Tankkitupa, you can get coffee, pastries, ice cream, filled sandwiches and savoury pastries; the selection may change.
There are cultural and historical sites to discover beyond Parola, too. Mierola Bridge is a protected reinforced-concrete bridge dating from 1919. The Tyrvännön järvikalastusmuseo, maintained by the Tyrväntö-Seura, offers insights into fishing techniques and the history of fishing and crayfishing. There are also exhibitions that change each year.
Peninsula, Hillfort and Trails
The natural Vanajanniemi Peninsula projects into Iso Vanaja. It covers 72 hectares and has a three-kilometre shoreline. The recreational area includes a beach, an outdoor toilet, a fire pit, a walking trail, a boat ramp and a marina. During a stay by the water, you can enjoy a walk as well as various amenities along the shore.
Tenholan linnavuori is a prehistoric hillfort on the summit of a sandy ridge. A signposted trail of approximately one kilometre leads there from the car park at Tenholantie 1. From the top, the view opens onto Rapola in Sääksmäki and Aulangon linnavuori. At the foot of the hillfort is a fire pit maintained by the Municipality of Hattula; check its condition before your visit. As trail markers can change, it is also worth checking the route before setting out.
Lepaa and Seasonal Activities
The parks and greenhouses in Lepaa attract many visitors throughout the year. Lepaa Campus Park was the first park in Finland to receive a Green Flag Award. The wine and horticulture business also shapes the area: Lepaa Winery produces local wines, beers and ciders. Its shop offers café services and is licensed to serve alcohol; confirm current availability before visiting. Wine tastings for groups are available by arrangement, and the production facilities can be visited. Check the current arrangements in advance.
The Lepaa Mamselli windmill is part of the campus’s history. Built in 1829, it was once used to lift water for the cultivation areas. The Lepaa Exhibition is an annual trade fair for horticulture and the green industry, held on campus every year since 1964. Lepaa Golf adds a nine-hole course to the range of options.
Some activities are tied to a particular season. In summer, you can play on an 18-hole disc golf course at Hiihtomaa; in winter, there is a floodlit slope for sledging. The Municipality of Hattula has seven multi-golf and disc golf facilities in total. A mountain biking trail opened in 2022 as the first of its kind in Kanta-Häme to be maintained in winter. Its maintenance may vary by season.
Shorter routes are also part of the area’s appeal: the shelter in Lepaa, named after the legendary Lepaan Anna, can be reached via an approximately 300-metre forest path from Annalantie. Whichever cultural, scenic or seasonal aspects you choose to focus on, they can give your search for a holiday rental in Hattula a clear direction.
Discover more destinations: Forssa, Peränne, Tammela, Hauho, Hausjärvi, Loppi, Humppila, Tyrväntö.
For the full travel overview: Kanta-Häme.
