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5 ways to experience Alvar Aalto in the Jyväskylä Region

Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) is one of the most internationally recognised Finnish architects and designers. In Jyväskylä, it’s exceptionally easy to become familiar with his work. The city and its surroundings contain more important Aalto-designed building projects from his various creative eras than any other location in the world. In the Alvar Aalto capital of the world, anyone can get to know the story, works, and personal history of this world-famous architect in their own way.

Photo: Maija Holma

1. Aalto2 museum centre

The gem of Alvar Aalto’s capital, Jyväskylä, is the Aalto2 Museum Center, where the journey in Aalto’s footsteps begins. The museum center brings together under one roof two museum buildings designed by Aalto: the Alvar Aalto Museum and the Museum of Central Finland. The permanent exhibitions at the centre explore Aalto’s work and life and take you on a journey to discover the Jyväskylä Region – you can, for example, explore Aalto’s original sketches or Jyväskylä from a hundred years ago guided by little Alvar. You can find souvenirs matching the theme at the Aalto2 Shop and enjoy a lunch or a cup of coffee at the Aalto2 Café.

Photo: Julia Kivelä

2. Jyväskylä, Aalto, lakes, and their waves

The steps of tourists and locals in Jyväskylä naturally lead towards the cozy Lutakko Harbor, which is just a stone’s throw away from the city center. At the harbor, you can see Alvar Aalto’s self-designed wooden motorboat, displayed in a specially built boat shelter next to the sauna restaurant Sataman Viilu. This easily accessible Aalto site is a must-see for everyone visiting the city! At the harbor, you will also find numerous restaurants and cafes, as well as a variety of activity opportunities.

In the Jyväskylä Region you are in the middle of the largest unbroken lake district in Europe. The waves of Finland’s longest lake, Päijänne, caress the beaches and rocky shores. One way to take in the natural lakescapes and architecture at once is to take a cruise on the Päijänne, on the same breathtaking route Alvar Aalto used to take, even on board the same legendary ship.

Photo: Julia Kivelä

3. Stay and snack in the centre of Jyväskylä

You can get into the spirit of Aalto in Jyväskylä at the café in the Aalto2 Museum Center and at the Townhall Café & Bakery, located in the commercial wing of Aalto’s masterpiece, the Säynätsalo Town Hall. On the Seminaarinmäki campus, there are several buildings designed by Aalto, two of which, Lozzi and Ilokivi, have student restaurants.

In the capital of Alvar Aalto, it is also possible to stay in the footsteps of Aalto. The Säynätsalo Town Hall has three apartments and two guest rooms where Alvar Aalto himself and his wife Elissa Aalto once stayed. In the center of Jyväskylä, in a charming yellow stone building, two rooms of the Yöpuu Boutique Hotel are decorated in the Aalto theme. The renovated rooms of Sokos Hotel Alexandra also feature influences from Aalto’s design language.
You can get souvenirs from one of the city centre’s attractive little shops or shopping centres.

 

Photo: Tero Takalo-Eskola

4. Guided and self-guided tours

The Alvar Aalto destinations, stories, and history are open to you either on your own accord or in the company of an expert guide. Several prepared themed routes allow you to experience Aalto architecture while, for example, bicycling. A guide can help open up an entire new layer of Aalto’s works and his story. Besides the Aalto-themed offers, our other self-guided and guided tours are also worth your time and attention.

Photo: Jiri Halttunen

5. Culture and sport in the Aalto spirit

In the capital of Alvar Aalto, one can enjoy culture and sports in buildings designed by Aalto. The banquet hall of the Suojeluskuntatalo (Valtiontalo building) located in the center of Jyväskylä will open to the public when cultural events start being organized there from December 2024 onwards. The Jyväskylä City Theatre will return to the Theatre House designed by Aalto for the 2026 performance season after a thorough renovation.

In Jyväskylä, one can literally dive into Alvar Aalto’s architecture: the city is home to the world’s only swimming hall designed by Alvar Aalto. The oldest part of the swimming hall was completed in 1955, and it has since been expanded several times. Today, it is known as the AaltoAlvari aquatic center.