Alvar Aalto´s Alajärvi
In Alajärvi, you’ll find the only place in the world where the works of architect Alvar Aalto can be experienced across a time span of more than 70 years. The central area offers a unique insight into Aalto’s life’s work – from his very first public building and the “white period” to the final designs created by his architectural office.
The Aalto Centre in Alajärvi includes the town’s administrative buildings, the parish hall, the former municipal hospital, the youth association building, Villa Väinölä, and the town library – the last project completed by Aalto’s office. In addition, three monuments designed by Aalto can be found in the local cemetery. In the Town Hall foyer, visitors can also see a permanent exhibition of glassware from the 1930s by Alvar and Aino Aalto, established through an agreement between the City of Alajärvi and Hackman Designor Oy Ab Iittala Glass in 1996.
Alvar Aalto Attractions in Alajärvi
Old Health Centre / City Office Building
Old Hospital Building
Parish Centre
Alajärvi Youth Association Building
Alajärvi Town Hall
Alajärvi City Library
Villa Väinölä
Explore the Aalto Centre either on your own or with a guided Aalto Tour.
In front of the City Library, you’ll find an information board with a map of all the sites within the Alajärvi Aalto Centre. Each building also features its own information sign, making it easy to discover Alvar Aalto’s architectural heritage independently.
You can also book a local guide – for your group or even just for yourself!
Guided Alvar Aalto Tour in Alajärvi
Let Aalto Inspire You
“Aalto Inspires” is a concept built around Aalto-themed sites, products, and services – offering ready-made packages as well as flexible options for a tailor-made experience. Let Aalto inspire you to see, do, experience, and try something new!
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Practical Information
| The Aalto Centre of Alajärvi is located right in the heart of the town centre. Address: Sairaalatie 14, 62900 Alajärvi, Aalto Centre on Google Maps Opening hours: Vary between the sites Admission: Free access to public areas during opening hours (please note that the buildings are in everyday use, serving as the Town Hall, library, and parish centre). Getting there: The easiest way to reach Alajärvi is by car. The nearest railway stations are in Seinäjoki (about 1 hour by car) and Lapua (about 40 minutes by car). |
In Alajärvi, you will find also other sites designed by Aalto.
Monument and Heroes’ Graves
Aalto designed a monument to commemorate the people of Alajärvi who fell on the White side during the Finnish Civil War.
Unveiled in the spring of 1920, the monument stands in the local cemetery and consists of a cube-shaped granite block set on a stepped base.
In 1946, Aalto designed an addition to the monument to honor Alajärvi’s heroes from the years 1939–1945. The main motif of this later section is a cross bearing a commemorative inscription.
Memorial Stone at the Aalto Family Grave
Alvar Aalto designed the memorial stone at his family’s grave in the Alajärvi cemetery.
The memorial is made of black granite. The tallest stone in the centre is dedicated to Aalto’s father, the lower stone to his stepmother, and the stones on the sides to his brother and sister-in-law, as well as to the sisters of his mother and stepmother.
Exhibition “For the Sake of Form”
On the first floor of the Town Hall, there is a permanent exhibition featuring design classics from the 1930s by Aino and Alvar Aalto – from the famous “bölgeblick” glassware to the leather trousers of an Eskimo woman.
The exhibition is open during the Town Hall’s opening hours.
Villa Flora
The Aalto ensemble in Alajärvi is complemented by Villa Flora, located on the shore of Lake Pynttäri. It was designed by Aino Aalto as the family’s summer residence.
The low, white-plastered wooden house has a single storey and originally featured a gable roof covered with turf.
Villa Flora is privately owned and therefore not open to the public.