Laitila: Church Art, Farm Museums and Beaches

Laitila brings together medieval church art, historic museums, public beaches and an annual town festival. These different aspects of the town can help you choose the focus of your stay: would you like to concentrate on history and art, rural life or swimming spots? When looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider which of these themes matters most for your trip.

Medieval Church Art and Cultural History

Pyhän Mikaelin kirkko, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, was built in the 1460s. The three-aisled building is an example of Finnish Late Gothic architecture. Its ceiling paintings were completed in 1483 and belong to the style of the so-called Pietari Henriksson School, also known as the Kalanti School. The architecture and paintings offer two different ways to explore the church’s history: the structure of the Late Gothic building and the decoration of its ceiling.

The library building donated by Kustaa Hiekka also tells the story of Laitila’s cultural history. It was completed in 1937 as Finland’s first rural library building and is now used for music and art education. Visitors interested in the development of public cultural venues will find a different historical point of reference here than at the medieval church.

Historic Farmsteads and Museums

Poukan talo is the long, red main building of a former 18th-century farm. Inside are a large living room and three chambers. Following extensive renovations in 1996, the building now serves cultural and tourist purposes. The exhibitions are open by appointment—bear this in mind if Poukan talo is one of your planned stops.

The Kaivolan Myllymäki open-air museum includes an original mill and smoke sauna, as well as Mantan Torppa, a salt storehouse, a granary, a barn, a smithy and a threshing barn. The different buildings make the site a destination for anyone interested in historic farm life and working environments. The local heritage museum at Nolhin Torppa also has collections spanning different aspects of everyday life: its buildings include a smoke sauna, a stable and a Tarhlato; exhibits include handicraft tools, wooden shoes and agricultural implements.

Near Laitila is Kauppilan umpipiha, a prosperous farmstead in a centuries-old cultural landscape. Most of its buildings remain in their original locations. Paths through the museum grounds lead across meadows, pastureland and vegetable gardens to the farmyard. With its farmstead layout and paths through the surrounding cultural landscape, this museum site differs from the collections and individual buildings described in Laitila.

Beaches and an Annual Tradition

Laitila has seven public beaches, two of which have a beach sauna run by the city. If swimming spots are among your preferred holiday activities, this is a specific feature to consider when deciding whether to visit Laitila. The beach saunas complement the facilities at two of the seven beaches.

Another recurring event in the annual calendar is the Laitilan Munamarkkinat. Held in Laitila every year since 1972, it takes place a week before Midsummer and is the town’s largest annual event. Its fixed timing in relation to Midsummer can help you plan your visit around the festival.

Choosing Where to Stay

Laitila is located on Finnish Highway 8. Together with its varied cultural, museum and beach attractions, this provides a clear basis for deciding whether the town suits your travel plans. Consider which experiences you would like to focus on and whether the Munamarkkinat are of interest to you; these preferences may help determine your choice of holiday rental in Laitila.

Other destinations: Raisio, Kustavi, Kimitoön, Turku, Somero, Koski, Taivassalo, Lieto.

For the regional travel overview: Varsinais-Suomi.