Alajärvi is a town in Southern Ostrobothnia, next to a lake with the same name.

Understand

Like many towns in Finland, Alajärvi's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture and forestry. Over the years, there has been diversification into other sectors, contributing to the overall economic development of the town.

Get in

By road, i.e. car or bus. Highway 16 from Vaasa to Kyyjärvi and Jyväskylä passes next to Alajärvi. Buses connect to Seinäjoki, Lapua and Vimpeli.

See

• 1 Alajärvi church. As usual in smaller Finnish towns, the church is the most notable building. The wooden church at the lake, finished in 1836, was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, the same architect who designed the 19th-century Empire style buildings in Helsinki. (updated Aug 2023)

• 2 Nelimarkka Museum and Villa Nelimarkka, Pekkolantie 115. Painter Eero Nelimarkka (1891-1977) lived in Alajärvi from 1932 to his death. Today Villa Nelimarkka, where he lived, is an artist residence and event venue. The adjacent building which he had built in the 1960s for an art school is an art gallery and museum named the Nelimarkka Museum. (updated Aug 2023)

• 3 Prehistorical rock paintings at Pyhävuori Hill. Pyhävuori overlooking Lake Lappajärvi has some prehistorical rock paintings, discovered in 2008. (updated Aug 2023)

Eat

• 1 Quick Burger, Hirsikankaantie 6. Fast food. (updated Aug 2023)

• 2 Natamon Aahan Thai, Kauppakatu 24. Thai restaurant. (updated Aug 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Hotelli Alvariini, Paavolantie 1, ☏ +358 6 557 6688, myynti@alvariini.fi. Hotel with a restaurant and a bowling alley. (updated Aug 2023)