Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Around Lahti
Hollola
03
Hollola was the area's major settlement until Lahti's rapid growth left the venerable parish
a pleasant rural backwater. There are two Hollolas - the modern centre is on the highway
7km west of Lahti, but the old village is 18km northwest of Lahti on the southern shores of
Vesijärvi. Either head north from modern Hollola, or take Rd 2956 from Lahti. It's close
enough to cycle.
Heading west along the lake from Lahti, the first place you'll reach, after 8km, is
Messilä
( 03-86011;
www.messila.fi
;Messiläntie 208;s/d €115/125, 3-/4-person cottages €175/
250; )
, a fine old estate with manor house accomodation, golf course and ski resort.
€17 plus per adult/child €5/2, cabins/apt €60/95; )
here.
Nine kilometres further, on Vesijärvi's shores, large Hollola
church
(
www.hollolanseurakunta.fi
; 11am-6pm May-Aug, 11am-4pm Sun Sep-Apr)
is an elegant
late-15th-century structure with steep gables; the bell tower was designed CL Engel in the
19th century. Above the double nave are painted wooden sculptures of saints; also note-
worthy are the elaborate coats of arms, plus the 14th-century baptismal font and Pietà from
the earlier, wooden church. The church and village are signposted 'Hollola kk'.
Nearby you'll find the local museum, with an indoor and outdoor sections.
