The old wood and stone churches of Taikayöntie region enchant with their architecture and atmosphere

Urjala Church

The charming wooden Urjala Church, now coloured green will captivate you with its beauty. The wooden cruciform church designed by Martti Tolppo was finished in 1806. With its simplified architecture and clean lines, the church can mainly be identified as neoclassical. The church has been renovated and changed several times over the years. However, the clock donated by the family that owns the Nuutajärvi manor, which shows the time in four directions is still in its place in the steeple.

During summers, the Urjala Church is a roadside church open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays. During other times, the church is open only by agreement.

Inquiries +358 40 804 8832
Address: Urjalantie 12, 31760 Urjala

Urjalankylä Stone Sacristy

The first church in Urjala may have been built as early as the 14th century in Urjalankylä village. There is still a stone sacristy from the 1520s–1540s at the location. But as the church and graveyard became crowded in the early 19th century, it was decided that a new church would be built in the middle of the town in Laukeela.

Address: Punkalaitumentie 433, Urjalankylä

Halkivaha Church

The Halkivaha Church in Urjala is a small, sympathetic church built between 1923 and 1926. The schematics for the church and the bell tower were designed by the architecture firm Heikki Tiitola. The Halkivaha Church has the second largest church bells in all of Finland.

Inquiries: Tel. +358 45 110 0844
Address: Vesilahdentie 1530, 31830 Halkivaha

Punkalaidun Church

Characteristic of the milieu of Punkalaidun, the beautiful wooden church was designed and built by Johan Björman soon after the first church, built in the early 17th century, was destroyed by a lightning strike on 29 July 1773. The new church was inaugurated in September 1774. The church has undergone many renovations, the most recent in 1983.

A beautiful suspension bridge connects the church to the parsonage over the Punkalaitumenjoki river. The original bridge was built in 1931. The forest path to the parsonage starts from next to the Pappila parking place and ends at the backyard of the parsonage, next to a large oak tree. The path is roughly 500 metres long and winds through the ancient pine trees and blueberry shrubs.

Address: Lauttakyläntie 20, 31900 Punkalaidun

St Catherine’s Church in Huittinen

St Catherine’s Church in Huittinen is located on a hill called Karsatinmäki, only a stone’s throw from Taikayöntie route. The name Karsatinmäki predates the church, demonstrating that the location was used as a sacrificial site in pagan times. In the Middle Ages, churches were often built on such sites. In his letter dated 1229, the Pope urges the church to take over pagan worship sites.

The oldest part of St Catharine’s Church is from the late Middle Ages, the 1490s, and the other parts were completed in the 18th and 19th centuries.

An expansion in the 1860s included the current northern wing, where the altar was also moved later. The expansion was designed by the architect G.T. Chiewitz. The same architect also designed the town plan of the Nuutajärvi Glass Village. The church, together with its surroundings, is classified as a built cultural heritage site of national significance by the Finnish Heritage Agency.

St Catherine’s Church serves as a road church during the summers and is otherwise open by agreement.

Inquiries: 044 375 0521
Address: Kirkkotie, 32700 Huittinen

Vampula Church

The Vampula Church, located in Vampula village, Huittinen was finished in 1894. It is the fourth wooden church of the Vampula parish, built at the site of the previous church. The church was designed by municipal architect F.H. Rancken and David Lönnroth acted as the construction supervisor. The church, with its cruciform floorplan, represents the 19th century decorative handicraft style.

Inquiries: Tel. +358 (0)50 406 3303, +358 (0)44 375 0521
Address: Sallilantie 74, 32610 Vampula