Vihti: Culture, Nature and Special Discoveries

Vihti combines an old town centre on Kirkkojärvi with a remarkable church history, museums, a cinema and options for active outings. Families can include culture and activity in their plans, from the museum and stone park to the cycling route and nearby natural attractions.

Vihti at a glance

• Vihti Church was designed by Antti Piimänen and completed in 1772.
• The Vihti Museum is housed in a wooden building completed in 1911.
• The cycling route through Vihti church village is 9 km long.
• Most of Nuuksio National Park is located in Vihti.
• Vihdin Kino screens, among other things, family, arthouse and horror films; specific programmes may change.

Church, museum and stones with a story

Vihti Church is a prominent landmark in the town’s history: it was designed by Antti Piimänen and completed in 1772. Named after Saint Bridget, the church brought the people of Vihti together for worship for about 300 years. Today, it serves as a concert venue for a range of performances; music groups from the local parish hold concerts there several times a year. The performances on offer may change.

The Vihti Museum also brings local history and architecture together. The cultural history museum preserves Vihti’s cultural heritage and is housed in a wooden building designed by Artturi Hiidenheimo and completed in 1911. In the church village, the museum is located on the edge of Kyläaukio square. This location provides a clear point of reference if you would like to combine a museum visit with a walk around the church village.

Kivipuisto Gadoliniitti stone park on Makasiininmäki in Vihti church village offers a different kind of discovery. Members of the Vihdin Kivikoruharrastajat ry association designed and built the park. It presents the life’s work of chemist Professor Johan Gadolin and displays rocks that were carried from the Gulf of Bothnia to Vihti during the Ice Age. Here, the history of science meets an engaging geological story.

Culture for different interests

Vihdin Kultsa is a cultural centre where art and leisure activities come together. The municipality’s cultural services host events, workshops and performing arts experiences for all age groups. The centre and its event space are accessible; there is also an accessible toilet on the premises. As details may change, it is a good idea to confirm these facilities before your visit.

The selection described at Vihdin Kino ranges from new releases and family films to arthouse and horror films; opera performances are also part of the programme. This means the cinema caters to a wide range of interests, without requiring you to choose a particular type of film for your visit. Specific screening times and films may change.

Minkart-ikkunagalleria offers a different kind of art visit: exhibitions in eight windows can be viewed free of charge around the clock. The works on display change. For an outing that does not need to be planned around a film screening or event start time alone, this way of presenting art is a distinctive addition to the cultural offering.

Townscape, cycling route and nearby nature

The old town centre of Vihti lies on Kirkkojärvi. At the same time, most of Nuuksio National Park is located in Vihti. Together, they describe different facets of the destination: the lakeside town centre and its extensive connection to a protected area.

A 9 km route is designated for cycling in the church village. It starts at the sports field maintenance building at the end of Nietoinkuja and passes through Kirkkoniemi, Männikö and Vääkilä, among other places. The route connects several named local areas in a manageable format. As route conditions may change, take the current situation into account when planning your outing.

Nearby, the Pääksniemi nature trail runs through Rysätarha. It is about 5 km from Vihti church village and about 5 km from Nummela. The routes of the Pääkslahti nature trail are not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. If accessible paths are important to your plans, this limitation is relevant when choosing an outing.

Outings, events and choosing the right base

Vihti Golf Center offers three different course formats: an 18-hole course (Par 72), a 9-hole course (Par 36) and a handicap-eligible 9-hole par-3 course (Par 27).

Events are also part of the local scene: an annual Midsummer celebration takes place in the old centre. The Wuosisatamarkkinat market is also held there and is described as Vihti’s largest public event. Vihti is easily accessible by bus from Helsinki and Espoo.

If you plan to focus on the church, museum, cinema and Kultsa, the church village offers a clear reference point for choosing where to stay. For an outing to the Pääksniemi nature trail, factor in its approximate distance of 5 km from the church village. This lets you choose the location of your accommodation based on the experiences that matter most to you, without making assumptions about unverified features of individual accommodations.

Discover more destinations: Porvoo, Sammatti, Rajamäki, Skuru, Sipoo, Vantaa, Klaukkala, Hanko.

Frequently asked questions about Vihti

What defines the history of Vihti Church?

The church was designed by Antti Piimänen and completed in 1772. Named after Saint Bridget, it brought the people of Vihti together for worship for about 300 years and today also serves as a concert venue.

What is the route of the cycling route through the church village?

The 9 km route starts at the sports field maintenance building at the end of Nietoinkuja and passes through Kirkkoniemi, Männikö and Vääkilä, among other places.

What course formats are available at Vihti Golf Center?

There is an 18-hole course (Par 72), a 9-hole course (Par 36) and a handicap-eligible 9-hole par-3 course (Par 27).

Is Vihdin Kultsa accessible?

The cultural centre and its event space are accessible; there is also an accessible toilet on the premises. As details may change, it is advisable to confirm the facilities before your visit.

For the wider travel overview: Uusimaa.