Discover the cultural history and nature of Mynämäki

Mynämäki combines cultural and historical collections and churches with hiking and cycling trails, as well as the Mietoistenlahti bird area. You can plan your stay around specific interests: local history, architecture, birdwatching, hiking or cycling.

Mynämäki at a glance

• Mynämäen museo presents the history of the municipality through exhibitions and collections.
• Four destinations are marked along the Pyhän Henrikin tie hiking trail.
• The municipality is home to Mietoistenlahti, an important natural area with birdwatching facilities.
• Karjalan kirkko was completed in 1869 and is a wooden, Neo-Gothic long church.
• Asemanseudun luontopolku has a 6 km route and a shorter option of about 2 km.

Museums tell different stories

Mynämäen museo presents the history of the municipality of Mynämäki through exhibitions and collections. Its permanent exhibitions include Pappilan sali, which introduces the vicarage as it was during the time of Vicar Wilho Sipilä, and the Rönberg-Rönnevaara Hall. The latter focuses on the history of the local Mynämäki Lotta Svärd Association. The two themes offer different perspectives: one focuses on the vicarage during a particular period, while the other tells the story of a local association.

Karjalan kotiseutumuseo tells the story of the former municipality of Karjala (Tl.), the lives of its residents and their livelihoods. One section presents the Stone Age settlement site of Aisti; the upper floor has changing exhibitions. The museum thus offers a perspective ranging from prehistory to life in a former municipality. Another museum exhibition is located on the upper floor of the Sunila barn. There, visitors can discover products designed and made in Lauri Junnila's workshop.

Churches and a guided journey through time

Karjalan kirkko was completed in 1869. It is a wooden, Neo-Gothic long church designed by architect G.Th. Chiewitz. The organ also has a specific date: it was built by K.G. Wikström in 1894. Together, the architectural style, the name of the designer and the organ's date of construction provide specific historical points of reference, without requiring a guided tour.

A guided historical tour explores the surroundings of Pyhän Laurin kirkko and explains what the centre of Mynämäki looked like in the early 20th century. The tour connects the church's surroundings with a historical impression of the town centre at that time. Check that the tour is available before travelling.

Mietoistenlahti and natural history

Mietoistenlahti is an extensive area in the municipality of Mynämäki, with reed-covered shores. Many waterbirds and waders can be seen there during the spring migration, and the Mietoistenlahti bird wetland is considered an important natural area nationwide. Mietoistenlahti is also an important birdwatching and bird-protection area. Birdwatching facilities include the two bird towers, Vasikkahaan torni and Perhetorni, as well as the accessible Silakkari birdwatching platform. The trails and towers offer opportunities for day trips.

Another nature outing follows Kulttuuripolku, a recreational trail about half a kilometre long. In the municipality of Mynämäki, it runs between Saaren kartano, the Mietoistenlahti nature reserve and a shore meadow. Along the way, outdoor exhibitions featuring works by artists who have worked at Saaren kartano change over time; no specific exhibition is guaranteed. The exhibition is open to everyone walking in the area. Geological time is also tangible here: Marekivi is an approximately 1.25-billion-year-old olivine diabase from Satakunta, eroded by water and humic acids.

Trails for walks, hiking and cycling

On the Pyhän Henrikin tie hiking trail in Mynämäki, Nunnankukkula, Portassuo, Kirkkokallio and Munkkeinlevo are marked as destinations. The Kuhankuono trail network includes several circular routes, some of which also pass through the Mynämäki area. The network offers hiking, cross-country skiing, leisurely walks, and mushroom and berry picking. The destinations on Pyhän Henrikin tie and the Kuhankuono circular routes provide two different ways to find your way: marked destinations along a hiking trail and several circular routes within a trail network.

Asemanseudun luontopolku is 6 km long in total; alternatively, you can choose a shorter route of about 2 km. The trail is well marked and signposted. Mynämäki's cycling routes are easy to ride and about 6 to 14 km long.

Plan your stay around your interests

You can also mix things up, for example by visiting a museum on one day and spending time outdoors on another. If you're travelling together, you can plan around several interests rather than limiting yourselves to just one type of outing.

Discover more destinations on the pages for Taivassalo, Harjattula, Somerniemi, Marttila, Kaarina, Kimitoön, Rymättylä and Korppoo.

Frequently asked questions about Mynämäki

How do Pyhän Henrikin tie and Kuhankuono differ?

Nunnankukkula, Portassuo, Kirkkokallio and Munkkeinlevo are marked as destinations along Pyhän Henrikin tie. Kuhankuono includes several circular routes, including trails in the Mynämäki area, and offers a range of activities from hiking to picking mushrooms and berries.

When can you see especially many birds in Mietoistenlahti?

Many waterbirds and waders can be seen there during the spring migration. There are two named bird towers and the accessible Silakkari platform for birdwatching.

What trail distances are described for walks and hikes?

Kulttuuripolku is about half a kilometre long. On Asemanseudun luontopolku, you can choose between the full 6 km route and a shorter option of about 2 km.

What does the guided historical tour include?

It explores the surroundings of Pyhän Laurin kirkko and explains what the centre of Mynämäki looked like in the early 20th century. Check that the tour is available before travelling.

For the main travel overview: Varsinais-Suomi.