Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MÄNTTÄ
03
Mänttä, set on a narrow isthmus between fast-flowing rapids, grew around its paper mill,
founded in the mid-19th century by the Serlachius dynasty. Progressive in outlook, the
family endeavoured to build a model industrial community and endowed the town with
noble buildings and art.
Sights
Gösta
GALLERY
(
www.serlachius.fi
;Joenniementie 47;adult/child incl Gustaf €8/free; 10am-6pm daily Jun-Aug,
noon-5pm Wed-Sun Sep-May)
Mänttä's principal attraction was once the private home of Gösta Serlachius and is now
among Finland's premier galleries. Situated 2km east of the town centre in elegant
grounds, it comprises two buildings: a spectacular new wooden gallery houses high-qual-
ity exhibitions of contemporary art, while the original home houses an excellent collection
of Finnish golden-age works.
All the big names are here, including seemingly dozens of Gallen-Kallelas, plenty of
Edelfelts and Schjerfbecks, as well as Wickström sculptures. Look out for a mischievous
painting of Gallen-Kallela getting pissed with his mate Sibelius, and Hugo Simberg's
whimsical
Entrance to Hades
. There's also a sizeable European collection, including a fine
Deposition by Van der Weyden.
Gustaf
MUSEUM
(
www.serlachius.fi
;Erik Serlachiuksenkatu 2;adult/child incl Gösta €8/free; 10am-6pm daily Jun-
Aug, noon-5pm Wed-Sun Sep-May)
In the town centre, an elegant white 1930s modernist mansion, formerly company HQ of
the Serlachius family that founded the town, is now a museum. There's a most compre-
hensive display on the history of the paperworks and family, with audio exhibits on every
conceivable aspect: you'd be here a week listening to them all. The attractive building also
