Proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mäenpää Labour Hall is exceptionally well preserved
Completed in 1908, Mäenpää Labour Hall, located on top of the hill at the western edge of town, is a sight to behold. The building has high historical and social value. It has been well preserved with respect for the building itself and the related items. The tower of the house offers a stunning view over the surrounding river valley.
The Mäenpää Labour Hall, located in Punkalaidun, is being proposed for entry to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, along with another Finnish Labour Hall, Paasitorni in Helsinki. The Mäenpää Labour Hall is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a wooden, countryside Worker’s Assembly Hall. Agricultural and forestry workers built it communally in the early 20th century.
The house is maintained by the community, with donated resources as well as by organising various cultural events and renting the premises for use in various celebrations and other events. The Mäenpää Labour Hall has a long and eventful history. It has functioned both as a church and a prison – and served many other functions, too. The labour hall has served also as a cinema, and still does, providing its own interesting flavour to the interior. The projector room still has an old Bauer B5 carbon arc projector from 1941, which was refurbished in 2019 to restart screening movies. The year 2023 saw the acquisition of a digital movie project to accommodate newer films.
Address: Lauttakyläntie 58, 31900 Punkalaidun.
Inquiries: Mr. Jouko Mäkelä, jmamakela(at)gmail.com, +358 40 3522 526

Photo: Municipality of Punkalaidun

The hall of the Mäenpää Labour Hall hosts theatre productions and other events. Photo: Municipality of Punkalaidun

In the Mäenpää Labour Hall movies are screened with a refurbished carbon arc projector from 1941. Please request in advance if you would like to see the projector. Photo: Niina Aalto

The Mäenpää Labour Hall is home to a collection of well-preserved items related to the working-class ideology, such as banners and flags. Photo: Niina Aalto