Eurajoki: Discover the Church, Manor House and Nature

Eurajoki combines a distinctive town center with cultural, technical and nature-related attractions in different parts of the municipality. Highlights include the neoclassical Kustaa Aadolfin kirkko, the riverside setting of Ketunpesä and the fitness steps at Riiko Park. Elsewhere in the municipality, museums, a manor house, Olkiluoto and Kaunissaari offer a range of discoveries.

Eurajoki at a glance

• Kustaa Aadolfin kirkko is a landmark of the church village and town center.
• Next to Riiko Park in the center, the fitness steps at Mäkitie 9 have about 70 steps.
• The museums in Irjantee comprise seven museum complexes with a total of about 6,000 objects.
• Basic visits to the Olkiluoto Visitor Centre are free; remember to bring proof of identity when arriving.
• The cultural trail on Kaunissaari is about 1.2 kilometers long and passes historical sites associated with the island’s former sawmill community.

Church village, landmarks and riverside

Kustaa Aadolfin kirkko defines the church village and center of Eurajoki. The neoclassical church was completed in 1803 and named after Gustav II Adolf. Together with the green, nature-rich riverside setting of Ketunpesä, it gives the town center a blend of architectural history and landscape. Those interested in architecture will find a specific point of connection here: the church’s name refers to the person it commemorates, while its neoclassical design reveals another facet of its history.

For an active break, fitness steps with about 70 steps are located next to Riiko Park at Mäkitie 9. Their modest number of steps offers a clearly defined opportunity to get moving in the center.

Irjantee: church complex and seven museum complexes

In Irjantee, the cultural center includes a wooden church built in 1731, with a bell tower and churchyard. Other features include the Åke Tott memorial stone, a memorial post to the horses used for clearing land, and Marjatta Weckström’s statue Tree of Life. The various memorials add further connections to people and work alongside the church. For visitors interested in local cultural history, the cultural center offers more than a single religious building.

The seven museum complexes in Irjantee also cover a range of subjects: they include an agricultural museum, a local heritage museum in a former lending granary, a pharmacy museum, a weapons museum, a school museum, a small fire brigade museum and the Munakari Room, with objects belonging to the Suominen fishing brothers. Altogether, the museums contain about 6,000 objects. The agricultural museum features, among other things, a steam engine, a wood-gas tractor, other tractors and threshing machines, a horse-powered treadmill, a working wind motor and Finland’s first combination seed drill. Old tools and machinery, as well as objects related to blacksmithing, fishing and forestry, broaden the picture of different kinds of work.

The Eurajoki River flows near the museums, and rapids are also part of the setting. On the opposite bank, on the Mullila side, stands Faltun saha, the historic former sawmill and mill building. Here, evidence of past work meets a landscape where the river and its rapids also shape the scenery. Groups can reserve a visit to the Eurajoki Agricultural Museum, including a guided tour, through the tourism information service.

Olkiluoto: science exhibition and nature trail

At the Olkiluoto Visitor Centre, visitors learn how a nuclear power plant works and about the path of uranium fuel. The interactive science exhibition explores nuclear energy using, among other things, buttons, a bicycle and information packages. These features make the exhibition a destination in its own right for anyone who wants to explore technical subjects through interactive activities as well as text.

Guided group visits include welcome coffee, a company presentation, the “Electricity from Uranium” exhibition and a visit to the power plant’s waste tunnel. Visitors can also see the ONKALO exhibition on the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. An observation trail runs directly next to the Visitor Centre and offers an opportunity to discover more of Olkiluoto’s natural environment. Basic visits to the Visitor Centre are free. Visitors arriving at Olkiluoto should have proof of identity ready; photography is permitted only inside the Visitor Centre.

Liinmaa: medieval history in Kaukenpiele

The Liinmaa site is located in Kaukenpiele, with its old ramparts as the most visible feature. Some cellar pits can be made out, indicating earlier human activity. The medieval wooden castle stood at the end of Väkkäränlahti and was protected by two ramparts and the water. It was used to control trade and traffic in the Gulf of Bothnia and was mainly in use in the 14th century, possibly as early as the late 13th century.

These details offer another perspective on Eurajoki: at Liinmaa, the focus is not on museum collections or a church, but on a fortified site and its historical setting. Those interested in medieval sites can use the visible ramparts and identifiable cellar pits as tangible points of reference.

Vuojoen Kartano: tours and accommodation

Within the municipality, Vuojoen Kartano offers a window into manor-house history. During role-play tours, costumed guides take guests through the house’s history and everyday life in different periods. Themed tours cover the Björkenheim family, Engel’s designs and the history of the manor from the 19th century to the present day. The main building also houses a restored Könni clock that is almost 200 years old.

The orangery offers a glimpse into the history of garden culture. It is also home to Kartanokahvila Orangeria, a café in a historic room resembling a winter garden. Accommodation rooms can be booked at the manor, offering an overnight stay in a historic setting. Availability may change, so visits and overnight stays should be booked in advance. The manor therefore offers a practical way to combine culture with accommodation planning, without requiring a particular length of stay.

Kaunissaari: nature and cultural trails

Kaunissaari is a recreational destination and nature excursion spot in the Eurajoki strait. The cultural trail, about 1.2 kilometers long, passes historical sites associated with the island’s former sawmill community. There are also cultural and nature trails, campfire sites and three shelters that hikers may use free of charge. The different trails connect nature with the history of the former sawmill community; the cultural trail’s approximate length provides a clear sense of its manageable scope.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

You can tailor your selection to the places you actually want to explore. Accommodation rooms can be booked at Vuojoen Kartano; visits and overnight stays there should be booked in advance.

For more travel ideas, you can also explore the destination pages for Jämijärvi, Lamppi, Ulvila, Aikkila, Kokemäki, Luvia, Rauma and Noormarkku.

Frequently asked questions about Eurajoki

What defines the center of Eurajoki?

Kustaa Aadolfin kirkko is a landmark of the church village and town center. Ketunpesä and the fitness steps next to Riiko Park are nearby.

What cultural attractions are there in Irjantee?

The cultural center includes a wooden church dating from 1731 and several memorials. The museums comprise seven museum complexes with a total of about 6,000 objects.

What should you plan for a basic visit to Olkiluoto?

A basic visit to the Visitor Centre is free. You should have proof of identity ready when you arrive; photography is permitted only inside the Visitor Centre.

How can groups visit the agricultural museum?

Groups can reserve a visit and guided tour at the Eurajoki Agricultural Museum through the tourism information service.

Can you stay overnight at Vuojoen Kartano?

Yes. Accommodation rooms can be booked and offer a historic setting. Visits and overnight stays should be booked in advance.

For the higher-level travel overview: Satakunta.