In Ilmajoki, the landscape along the Kyrönjoki River meets a rich cultural heritage. The selection ranges from historic museums and buildings to walking trails and natural areas. This lets you plan your stay around the subjects that interest you most: local history, architecture, river landscapes or outdoor activities.
The Kyrönjoki River and the history of Ilmajoki
The Kyrönjoki River and its fertile riverbanks in Ilmajoki are among Finland’s national landscapes. The river is also part of local cultural history: on a river cruise, the crew tells stories about the Kyrönjoki and its importance to the region’s residents. As the provider’s availability may change, it is advisable to check the cruise schedule before your trip.
One prominent historical landmark is the Ilkka statue. It stands at the site where, in January 1597, the body of Jaakko Ilkka, leader of the Club War troops, was brought for execution and public display. The monument brings together a significant part of Finnish history. The Ilmajoki Museum also explores themes from this past: notable exhibits include items relating to the Könni family of clockmakers, the Club War and Jaakko Ilkka. The museum is one of Finland’s first local history museums.
Museums and architecture
The Könni Museum focuses on the Könni family of clockmakers and their creations. Notable exhibits include a calendar clock with seven hands. The Koskenkorva Museum offers a different perspective: through pictures, objects and stories, it explores the history of Finnish alcohol, as well as the history of the village of Koskenkorva and its schnapps. Both museums are in the village of Koskenkorva in Ilmajo, at the foot of the famous spirits factory, and are run by the Koskenkorva family.
The buildings also showcase different aspects of the area. Yli-Laurosela is one of the most significant examples of Ostrobothnian peasant architecture. Its two-storey main building showcases southern Ostrobothnian carpentry and sense of form. All the rooms are furnished with items from Ilmajoki; some are part of the house’s original furnishings. Perälä’s crofter’s cottage, meanwhile, is one of the best-preserved crofter’s environments in South Ostrobothnia.
The Herrala Centre for Building Culture is located in the former Herrala primary school, built in 1887, which is part of the historic cultural landscape of the Kyrönjoki River. The present-day Ilmajoki Church is the municipality’s third church; it was built between 1764 and 1766. In Koskenkorva, the Yli-Penttilä windmill also stands at its original location in Penttilänkylä, beside Road 3.
Music, tastings and river cruises
Ilmajoki Music Festival has been held since 1975. Its opera arena is set on the picturesque banks of the Kyrönjoki River, amid a southern Ostrobothnian village landscape. The covered auditorium seats 1,369 spectators. If you plan to time your trip to coincide with the music festival, check the event dates before making plans.
At Namitupa, you can take a guided tour with tastings and buy sweets. Check the booking arrangements before your trip. Together with a river cruise, this offers another way to get to know Ilmajoki through local experiences and stories; conditions vary, so check the details relevant to your planned visit.
Walking trails and nature
There are two clearly different route lengths to choose from: Ränkimäen kierros is an easy six-kilometre circular trail. It passes through varied woodland and branches off in places onto a fitness trail and a forest path. The Palonkylä lean-to shelter is on the circular trail, near the Palonkylä fitness trail, and can be reached on foot, by bicycle or with a pushchair.
The accessible Korpisaaren esteetön lähiliikuntareitti is located in Luoma, Ilmajoki. It is 1.3 kilometres long and follows a circular route. The trail is considered an easy and safe experience for families, older people and people with specific accessibility needs. Korpilaavu offers a place to rest while enjoying nature. The two circular trails therefore differ both in length and in their described features.
Another landmark for hikers is historic Santavuori, part of the 33-kilometre Ilkan polku hiking trail. Santavuori is also home to a lookout tower, completed in 1965. Tuoresluoman lehdot is a Natura 2000 site in Ilmajoki. These landscapes and natural areas complement the museums and historic buildings, offering a different perspective on the area.
Discover more destinations: Ähtäri, Alajärvi, Länsikylä, Seinäjoki, Kuortane, Ojutkangas, Lapua, Alavus.
For the wider travel overview: South Ostrobothnia.
