Discover Nykarleby

Nykarleby combines a long church history with museums, galleries and recurring cultural events. There is also a seasonal walking trail in the town centre. Those who want to get to know the town can therefore shape their stay around different themes: historical collections, an event date or time outdoors.

The differences between the places and events are particularly vivid. A church from the early 18th century, a museum in the former customs house and a cultural route as far as Jakobstad each give Nykarleby a different historical and thematic framework.

Nykarleby in five quick facts

• Nykarleby Church was consecrated on the First Sunday of Advent in 1708 and is one of Finland’s oldest wooden churches still in use.
• Daniel Hjulström decorated the church’s vaulted ceilings with painted designs.
• Kuddnäs has been preserved in its original condition and now serves as a museum.
• The Nykarleby Museum shows how bourgeois families lived in the second half of the 19th century.
• Nykarlebyveckan is held for a week every August, with a cultural programme.

A wooden church with a history

Nykarleby Church was consecrated on the First Sunday of Advent in 1708. It is one of Finland’s oldest wooden churches still in use. The date provides a concrete historical anchor for the town: the church is not only a historic building, but is still used as a church.

Its design is also part of its history. Daniel Hjulström decorated the vaulted ceilings with painted designs. Nykarleby Church thus brings together architectural history and artistic decoration. For travellers interested in religious heritage, it offers a clearly defined subject alongside the town history museums.

Two different ways to explore the town’s history

Kuddnäs has been preserved in its original condition and now serves as a museum. Its preserved condition gives the site a different focus from a collection bringing together various objects. It offers a distinct way to explore Nykarleby’s cultural heritage.

The Nykarleby Museum, by contrast, shows how bourgeois families in Nykarleby lived in the second half of the 19th century. It is housed in the former northern customs house, one of the few buildings to survive the town fire of 1858. The town’s history and the history of the surviving building therefore come together under one roof.

The Nykarleby Museum’s collection includes furniture and other household items, traditional costumes, toys, and objects related to seafaring and trade. The museum also has a photographic collection of over 7,000 photographs. These subjects offer different perspectives on everyday life in the past and Nykarleby’s connections with seafaring and trade.

There is one important detail to bear in mind when planning a visit: the Nykarleby Museum can only be visited on a guided tour. A museum visit is therefore a guided activity, not a self-guided tour.

Galleries and cultural events

Rådhuset is home to the Rådhusgalleriet art gallery and Lilla galleriet for children and young artists. The two names reflect different focuses: Lilla galleriet is specifically for children and young artists, while Rådhusgalleriet is described as an art gallery. Rådhuset thus adds visual art to the museums’ historical themes.

The events calendar also offers occasions at different times of the year. Nykarlebyveckan is Nykarleby’s largest annual event, spanning a full week in August with a wide range of cultural activities. The Topeliusfesten, on the other hand, is held every year on 14 January to celebrate the birthday of the writer Zacharias Topelius. The gap between the January date and the August week makes these two events distinct options for planning a stay around a cultural occasion.

The Juthbacka Market attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Together with Nykarlebyveckan and the Topeliusfesten, it shows that the town’s annual events vary in scale and theme. When planning a trip, it is especially useful to note the difference between a fixed celebration on 14 January and a whole cultural week in August.

Walking trail and cultural route

During the snow-free season, the ski track in central Nykarleby can be used as a walking trail. The starting point is behind Stjärnhallen at Idrottsgränd 1–3. This makes the trail a seasonal option for a stay that includes time outdoors; its maintenance may vary.

Another option is the regional cultural route “På spåret med Topelius och Runeberg”. It starts at the Juthas battlefield in Nykarleby and continues to Jakobstad. The route is about 35 kilometres long and includes 20 places to visit; its content may develop over time. Unlike the walking trail in the town centre, it extends beyond Nykarleby.

The cultural route can be travelled by car, by bicycle or on foot, and divided into several stages. It can also be explored digitally without travelling the route in person. This offers a choice between exploring it in stages, travelling along the route and accessing it digitally. The approximate total distance and number of places to visit provide a framework, while the option of dividing it into stages makes it possible to explore the route in different ways.

Plan your stay around your interests

A stay in Nykarleby can be planned around the January event, the collections and galleries, or a walk during the snow-free season. These options suit different travel dates and interests, without requiring the same kind of stay. Those who want to combine several themes can treat the annual events, historic sites and seasonal route as separate parts of their plans.

Discover more destinations: Vaasa, Jakobstad, Ylihärmä, Korsholm, Larsmo, Vörå, Lappfjärd and Nordanå.

Frequently asked questions about Nykarleby

What makes Nykarleby Church special?

It was consecrated on the First Sunday of Advent in 1708 and is one of Finland’s oldest wooden churches still in use. Daniel Hjulström decorated its vaulted ceilings with painted designs.

What does the Nykarleby Museum show?

It shows how bourgeois families in Nykarleby lived in the second half of the 19th century. The collection includes furniture, traditional costumes, toys, objects related to seafaring and trade, and over 7,000 photographs.

When is Nykarlebyveckan held?

It is held for a week every August and offers a varied cultural programme. The Topeliusfesten is a separate annual event on 14 January.

Can you visit the Nykarleby Museum without a guide?

No. Visits are only available as guided tours. This is an important difference from a museum that can be explored freely.

How can you explore the cultural route?

The route is about 35 kilometres long and includes 20 places to visit. It can be travelled by car, by bicycle or on foot, in several stages. It can also be explored digitally without travelling the route in person.

When can the ski track be used as a walking trail?

During the snow-free season. The starting point is behind Stjärnhallen at Idrottsgränd 1–3; maintenance of the route may vary.

For the broader travel overview: Ostrobothnia.