Riihimäki: Glass History, Museums and Cultural Route

Glass history spanning more than 4,000 years and a cultural route that can be explored on foot or by bicycle: Riihimäki offers several ways to make culture the focus of your stay. Art and the history of Finnish hunting also add their own highlights. If you’re travelling with family, you can consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your outing—and choose the location of your holiday rental to suit your plans.

Glass History and Finnish Art

The Finnish Glass Museum has been based in a renovated glassworks building in Riihimäki since 1981. It presents the history of glass over a period of more than 4,000 years, alongside the 300-year history of Finland’s glass industry. This brings together a far-reaching look at the material and a distinct focus on industrial development in Finland.

The collection comprises around 40,000 objects. Most are Finnish household, design and art glass dating from the 18th to the 21st century. Those interested in design will find not only everyday glassware here, but also design and art objects from several centuries. Its broad timespan makes the museum a fitting stop for anyone who wants to learn about glass not only as a functional object, but also as part of Finland’s industrial and design history.

The Riihimäki Art Museum has a different focus: its collection comprises almost 2,500 objects and artworks. The museum offers an overview of works by Finnish artists from the first half of the 20th century. Changing exhibitions, lectures, workshops, concerts and other events round out its programme, with something for visitors of all ages. You can therefore choose how to balance your cultural interests across glass history, art and events.

Insights into the History of Finnish Hunting

The Museum of Wilderness Heritage is dedicated to Finland’s wilderness heritage, past and present. It collects, researches, preserves and presents this subject. Its collections include more than 20,000 hunting-related artefacts and almost 170,000 photographs—different ways to explore the history and culture of hunting.

The permanent exhibition provides a general overview of the ten-thousand-year history of Finnish hunting. It also shows how hunting has changed over time, from a means of subsistence to a leisure activity. Each year, the museum offers several exhibitions and events for local and national audiences. This focus adds a distinct perspective on Finnish cultural history to the art and glass offerings.

Explore Riihimäki on Foot or by Bicycle

The Riihimäki Cultural Route consists of two routes. Both start at Riihimäki railway station and end at the Finnish Glass Museum. The longer route is just over four kilometres long, and both routes can be travelled on foot or by bicycle. Signs mark the entire route and also indicate distances. If you’d like to combine cultural visits with some activity, the route offers a practical way to explore the city between the station and the museum. Allow a little more than four kilometres for the longer route.

Another place of interest is Työväentalomuseo in the Peltosaari district. It is about 500 metres from Riihimäki railway station and the city centre. If you’re choosing a holiday rental based on its proximity to the station or centre, this information can help you locate the museum. It indicates its distance from these points.

The history of Teuron työväentalo also offers a glimpse into local life: the building was moved to its current location in Riihimäki and opened there as a museum on 25 October 1969. Together, the different museum themes provide more than one reason to visit for a culture-focused stay.

Discover More Places

For further orientation: Loppi, Hämeenlinna, Janakkala, Ypäjä, Forssa, Hauho, Tammela and Humppila.

For the broader travel overview: Kanta-Häme.