Photo: Juhani Mikkola / VideoDrone Finland Oy

4 hours

Landmarks in Jyväskylä

Every city has its landmarks, identifiable buildings, or monuments that a traveler wants to see and experience while visiting. In Jyväskylä, visitors are greeted by, among other things, the beautifully illuminated Kuokkala Bridge, Harju Observation Tower, and the legendary athlete Matti Nykänen’s ski jump hill. Many of Jyväskylä’s landmarks shine particularly brightly during the dark seasons, as several of them are also light art installations.

See route

Vehicle

  • By bike

  • Walking

Duration

4 hours

Length

14,8 km

The Jyväskylä landmarks route can be toured year-round. The route is easiest to navigate by bike or on foot. It’s easy to shorten the route by skipping the Matti Nykänen ski jump and the Kuokkala water tower. Most of the sites are viewed from the outside, but at a few locations, such as the Harju tower, you can also visit inside during its opening hours.

Use the Citynomadi route app to navigate the route. The app is available for free download from the Google Play Store and Apple Store.

If you cannot see the map, accept cookies and refresh the page

Route description

Attractions

Open the route in the Citynomadi route app.

  • Jyväskylä City Church and Church Park

    The Church Park is one of the oldest parks in Jyväskylä, and its construction began in the early 19th century. Originally, the Church Park served as the city’s market square in the newly established city in 1837, and the market place was located there until the 1930s. The Jyväskylä City Church, completed in 1880 and designed by architect L.I. Lindqvist, was erected in the middle of the market square and became the first stone church in the Jyväskylä Region.

    The Church Park is a part of a nationally significant urban environment and a culturally and historically valuable area. In the early 2000s, it underwent extensive renovations and is now a green oasis for the city’s residents, located right in the heart of the city. It’s a popular spot for picnics in the summer and for admiring Christmas lights during the holiday season.

    Jyväskylä City Church is usually open on certain weekdays. Check the opening hours here.

    Jyväskylä City Church and Churchpark
    Photo: Keijo Penttinen

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Jyväskylä City Hall

    The Jyväskylä City Hall, completed in 1899, is located at Vapaudenkatu 32, on the edge of Kirkkotori (Church Square), and is part of the square city plan designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. The building, a masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance style designed by Karl Viktor Reinius, was once the city’s largest construction project. It housed various institutions such as the magistrate, district court, financial chamber, library, reading room, the Bank of Finland, and an auction chamber. The building also provided spaces for associations and clubs, and it included a much-anticipated banquet hall and restaurant for the townspeople. Jyväskylä City Hall is one of the few surviving 19th-century buildings in Jyväskylä’s city center and is part of the nationally significant built cultural environment, along with Jyväskylä Kirkkopuisto (Church Park) and the administrative center.

    Please note! The City Hall will not be accessible during the construction work in Kirkkopuisto, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

     

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Tanssisali Lutakko

    Tanssisali Lutakko is a rock club located in the Lutakko area of Jyväskylä. It is managed by Jyväskylä Live Music Association, Jelmu. The property belongs to a mutual real estate company, owned by Jelmu, Youth Against Drugs, and the Kauko Sorjonen Foundation. In addition, Tanssisali Lutakko houses the brewery restaurant Taproom & Bottleshop Hiisi, along with various artists.

    Check the events at Tanssisali Lutakko here.

    Red brick building
    Photo: Teppo Laine

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • The Great Compass

    The Great Compass stands as a prominent landmark on the Lake Jyväsjärvi shoreline, representing the harmony of water and land. Functioning as a compass, it marks the four cardinal directions. This architectural structure, reminiscent of a temple, hints at the perpetual flow of time and humanity’s desire to control the world. It reflects the life along the shore, where two sides coexist: the nature struggling for its habitat and the urban lifestyle shaped by humans.

    White compass landmark in Jyväskylä
    Photo: Mikael Ratschinskij

  • Jyväskylä Sign

    The giant letters found in Lutakko Harbour Park in Jyväskylä are a popular landmark and photography spot. Behind the bench formed by letters that are one and a half meters tall, you can see Lake Jyväsjärvi, buildings of Mattilanniemi, and the Ylistö Bridge.

    A person sitting on a bench made of letters forming the word Jyväskylä in Lutakko harbour
    photo: Sini Tirronen

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Lutakko Harbour

    Sataman Viilu
    Sataman Viilu is a unique building that blends traditional and ecological log building materials with modern design and functionality. Its sculpted, charred wood surface meets warm, light-colored logs, creating a striking contrast. The landmark building, fitting seamlessly into the landscape, appears different from every angle. Sataman Viilu represents modern log technology and climate-wise construction, housing a restaurant and sauna world.

    Alvar Aalto’s boat
    The boat “Nemo propheta in patria,” designed by Alvar Aalto in 1954–55, is on display in the Lutakko Harbor in Jyväskylä. The name of the boat reflects the saying “No one is a prophet in their own country.” Originally intended for Aalto and his wife’s summer trips, the boat is 10 meters long, 2.5 meters wide, and was completed in 1955. The boat is part of the Alvar Aalto Foundation’s design collection and has undergone various restoration efforts. The Alvar Aalto Museum has created a miniature exhibition related to the boat, and the design of the boat shelter was led by Sweco, with SAFA Tapani Tommila as the chief designer. WSP was responsible for the design of the terrace surrounding the harbor point and the boat shelter.

    a boat designed by Alvar Aalto at display in Jyväskylä Lutakko harbour
    Photo: Julia Kivelä

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Kuokkala Bridge

    The Kuokkala Bridge is one of the most renowned landmarks of Jyväskylä, welcoming visitors from various directions. This exceptionally beautifully illuminated bridge resembles a work of art during the twilight hours. The bridge spans a length of 480 meters, connecting the central area of Jyväskylä with the Kuokkala district through the Lutakko area. Beneath the bridge, there is a shipping lane from Lake Päijänne to the Lutakko harbor.

    At the Lutakko end of the bridge, you can find Seppo Uuranmäki’s ‘Keinuja’ art piece, which, at first glance, might easily be mistaken for a real person.

    Kuokkala bridge at night
    Photo: Juhana Konttinen

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Kuokkala Water Tower

    The water tower rising high above Kuokkala creates an impressive view from Lutakko’s shore. This water tower is one of over a hundred permanently illuminated landmarks in Jyväskylä. Many people especially notice during the night that the water tower has UFO-like features. Please note! The water tower can not be entered.

    Kuokkala water tower
    photo: Juhana Konttinen

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Ylistö bridge

    Ylistö Bridge is a pedestrian and bicycle path that crosses Lake Jyväsjärvi from Mattilanniemi to Ylistönmäki. The bridge is 208 meters long and was completed in 1991. Ylistö Bridge is one of the most impressive illuminated landmarks in Jyväskylä, and its light can be seen from afar, extending all the way to Lutakko Harbor.

    Illuminated bridge in Jyväskylä
    Photo: Atacan Ergin

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Matti Nykänen's Ski Jumping Hill

    In Laajavuori, Jyväskylä, there is a ski jumping stadium consisting of five ski jumps. One of these hills is named after the successful Jyväskylä-based ski jumper, Matti Nykänen, and it is referred to as ‘Nykänen’s Hill’ or ‘Nykänen’s Jump.’ The hill was inaugurated in 1965, and it acquired its current name when Nykänen won three gold medals at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988.

    Recently, Nykänen’s Hill received a magnificent permanent lighting installation, serving as a beautiful tribute to the memory of Matti Nykänen. The lighting is programmable, allowing it to be adjusted for various events and special occasions. The basic lighting, named ‘Jumper,’ features a striking turquoise light that ascends the jump tower, moves to the take-off spot, and descends the hill. Afterward, the lighting transforms dynamically to resemble the ambiance of the Northern Lights and falling snow.

    During the summer, you can visit the ski jump hill’s café at its base or enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the observation tower, which is maintained by the Jyväskylä Ski Club. Check the summer opening hours here.

    Matti Nykänen's ski jump hill aerial photo
    Photo: Jukka Paakkinen

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Taulumäki Church

    Taulumäki Church was completed in 1929 under the direction of designer Elsi Borg. This neoclassical longitudinal church features unique two-tiered galleries supported by columns, which are the only ones of their kind in Central Finland. The church’s choir section includes a small octagonal sacristy on the northern side and an oval-shaped baptistery on the southern side, illuminated by a skylight. Taulumäki Church is a significant work of Finnish architecture from the 1920s, designed by architect Elsi Borg. It holds the distinction of being Finland’s first church designed by a woman.

    Taulumäki Church is open for visitors usually during the summer season. Check the opening hours here.

    Taulumäen's chuch from the outside. There are trees in front of the church and blue sky on the background.
    Photo: Janne Laukkanen

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Harju and Observation Tower

    Harju is a ridge formation in the middle of the city of Jyväskylä, and its summit, with the Vesilinna observation tower, serves as a well-known landmark visible throughout the city. Harju offers year-round outdoor recreation and relaxation opportunities for the residents, serving as a green and tranquil oasis right near the city center. Inside the Vesilinna observation tower, there is a Nature Museum and Restaurant Vesilinna, and you should check their opening hours on their own website. During the summer, both local joggers and tourists converge on the summit and slopes of Harju to admire the stunning views. Leading to the top of Harju are the stone Nero stairs, which are one of the most famous attractions in Jyväskylä. These massive stairs, built as a public employment project in 1925, were named after the city engineer, Oskar Nero, and ascend from the direction of the city center.

    The Harju Observation platform is open usually on Tue-Fri at 11-18 and Sat at 12-18. Check the opening hours for Restaurant Vesilinna ja Natural History Museum.

    Aerial photo of Harju Ridge.
    Photo: Juhani Mikkola / VideoDrone Finland Oy

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

  • Nero Stairs

    The stone Nero Stairs, which ascend to the top of Harju Hill, are one of the most iconic attractions in Jyväskylä. These sturdy stairs were built as a public employment project in 1925 and were named in honor of the then-city engineer, Oskar Nero. The stairs rise towards the city center and continue to be a popular tourist destination.

    The Harju Stairs in evening lighting
    Photo: Julia Kivelä

    Attractions

    Go to previous
    Go to next

More tours

Go to previous
Go to next