Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wandering the colourful Unesco World Heritage-listed wooden Old Town of
Pondering outlandish retro-futuristic inventions at Uusikaupunki's humorous
Bonk
Cruising
the rapidly rising islands of the scattered Kvarken Archipelago
Nordic walking
through the white-sand dunes of the sport's birthplace,
Hiekkasärkät
Zipping to the top of modernist architect Alvar Aalto's
Lakeuden Risti Church
to
view his harmonious town centre in Seinäjoki
Taking in natural history exhibits and artworks by Finnish and international mas-
ters at Vaasa's diverse
Pohjanmaan Museo
Surveying the stone burial cairns scattered through the forest at the Bronze Age
Sammallahdenmäki
burial site
Uusikaupunki
02 / Pop 15,700
Ironically, for a town founded in 1617 and filled with historic wooden buildings,
Uusikaupunki translates as 'New Town'. It's famous for the treaty of 1721, which quelled
hostilities between Sweden and Russia after the gruelling Great Northern War.
Straddling an inlet, the town's port was once a popular destination for smugglers…until
the customs house was built in 1760. Today it draws a buzzing yachtie crowd in summer.
Sights
Bonk Museum
MUSEUM
( 02-841-8404;
www.bonkcentre.fi
;
Siltakatu 2;adult/child €8/3; 10am-6pm daily late Jun-early
Aug, 11am-3pm Tue-Sat early Jun-late Jun & mid-Aug-late Aug)
The creation of local artist Alvar Gullichsen, this spoof museum-art installation is a classic
display of oddball Finnish humour. It traces the rise of the Bonk dynasty, who rose from
