Culture & Sights in Lapinlahti - Museums, Art & National Landscapes

The Museum of Fine Arts Eemil is a year-round cultural destination for art lovers and the whole family, located just a few kilometres off National Road 5 along the Kuopio–Iisalmi route. The museum, dedicated to sculptor Eemil Halonen (1875–1950), features works by members of the Halonen family of artists as well as several rotating exhibitions each year. The museum focuses on art from North Savo

Step back in time to the post-war era at the Settlement Farm Museum in the village of Alapitkä, Lapinlahti. This unique museum preserves the authentic home and lifestyle of the Mure family, who were resettled here from Karelia after World War II.

Väärni Vicarage is a carefully and lovingly restored vicarage environment and the birthplace of writer Juhani Aho. The vicarage is open year-round by appointment. More detailed information in English can be found at the bottom of the Väärni Vicarage website.

Luova Puu Atelier Gallery Café is an inspiring creative haven in a warm, old-world atmosphere. It hosts rotating exhibitions as well as cultural and wellbeing events and workshops throughout the year. We warmly welcome visitors, including groups of various sizes, whether for small gatherings or larger excursions.

The Lastu School of Architecture and Environmental Culture is a centre for activities related to the arts and construction. Our target groups include children and young people as well as adults, from building professionals to home renovators and self-builders. More information on Lastu and its offering is available on our website that also features English-language content – please select your language at the top right corner of the main page.

Head for the Väisälänmäki hill and trace the footsteps of artists along the cultural and nature trail through one of the national landscapes of Finland. The scenery of Väisälänmäki has been captured in the works of many famous Finnish artists, including Pekka Halonen, Antti Halonen and Eero Järnefelt. The most acclaimed painting representing Väisälänmäki is Järnefelt’s Under the Yoke (Burning the Brushwood).

The round-shaped ecumenical art chapel in the village of Tölvä, built by Pentti Koistinen, is always open and free to visit.

The realm of Marjut Kauppinen, endearingly dubbed “the Junk Princess”, is home to a rich and fascinating assortment of paintings and mosaic art as well as works made from scrap and recycled materials in a cosy garden setting complete with domestic animals.

Discover the churches of Upper Savo and the stories they tell about local history, culture, nature and architecture. This self-drive route, stretching over 300 kilometres, also takes you through Lapinlahti.