Nurmijärvi: Culture and Hiking Trails

During a stay in Nurmijärvi, you can tailor the balance of culture and outdoor activities to your own interests. In Kirkonkylä, you can encounter Aleksis Kivi through a monument, library and church; elsewhere in the municipality, hiking trails add options for active days. The different themes and trail lengths can help you choose a focus for your trip that suits you.

Aleksis Kivi in Kirkonkylä

The bronze statue of Aleksis Kivi in Nurmijärvi’s Kirkonkylä was created by Aukusti Veuro in 1934. Another connection can be found at the Kirkonkylä Library: the Kivi Room holds first editions of Kivi’s works, as well as research and other literature about him. This means you can encounter the writer in the village both as the subject of a work of art and through a collection of his books.

Nurmijärven kirkko is the wooden church in Kirkonkylä. It was inaugurated in 1793 and is also known as Aleksis Kivi’s confirmation church. It is also one of the Road Churches. The monument, the library collection and the church’s connection to Kivi offer different ways to explore his ties to Nurmijärvi.

Museums and Exhibitions

The Nurmijärvi Art Museum brings together several collection themes. Its Aleksis Kivi section includes more than 300 volumes of Kivi’s works in different languages. A section on wartime displays war memorabilia, objects, handicrafts and literature from Nurmijärvi. There is also an extensive photo collection dating from the 1960s onwards, offering a cross-section of Nurmijärvi’s recent history.

The presentation also includes relics from the first pharmaceutical factory established in Finland, which was founded in Nurmijärvi. Cobalt-blue and gold-patinated objects from the Savitorppa ceramics workshop add another focus to the collection. The museum regularly hosts exhibitions and lectures on a variety of themes. Its scope therefore ranges from literature and local history to handicrafts and changing exhibition themes.

Galleria Ville, maintained by the municipal cultural services, is an exhibition space in Nurmijärvi’s main library. It is close to the bus station and the services in the centre of Kirkonkylä. It mainly hosts exhibitions by professional visual artists. The Nurmijärvi Museum, the Nurmijärvi Art Association and the local art school also hold regular exhibition slots at Galleria Ville. Its location in the main library provides a convenient landmark when planning cultural activities in Kirkonkylä.

Hiking trails and outdoor activities

The Seitsemän veljeksen hiking route in the municipality of Nurmijärvi is about 33 kilometres long. It is suitable for both short day trips and multi-day hikes. In addition to hiking and excursions, cross-country skiing and cycling are also possible on some sections. There are rest areas, as well as food, washing and accommodation facilities, along the route. It passes through Kaanaan Forest, which is now a nature reserve.

For a shorter route, there is an outdoor trail between Kirkonkylä and Myllykoski, about four kilometres long in total. The routes thus differ considerably in length and possible uses. If you are looking for a shorter route, consider the outdoor trail; for a longer hiking plan, Seitsemän veljeksen offers both day trips and multi-day hikes. The information about the longer route applies to the wider municipality, not just Kirkonkylä.

Plan your stay around your interests

When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on Aleksis Kivi, museums and exhibitions, or hiking trails. If you plan to spend more time outdoors, the routes differ mainly in length and the activities mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Myrskylä, Savijoki, Hanko, Rajamäki, Ruotsinpyhtää, Porvoo, Vihti, Järvenpää

For the broader travel overview: Uusimaa.