Kangasala
Kangasala is a town in the Pirkanmaa region in Western Finland.
Understand
Get in
By car from Tampere, follow signage to Kangasala. Two main routes are via Lahti highway or smaller local road (the old highway) starting next to Tampere-talo and University of Tampere.
See
Emperor's RidgeVisited by King Gustav III of Sweden and Tsar Alexander I of Russia in 1819 (hence the current name). The old wooden sightseeing tower here was burned down in 2006 but has been rebuilt since. A pathway to Keisarinharju sightseeing tower begins at Mobilia. Other sightseeing towers are located at the town centre near the church (Kirkkoharju), at the north end of lake Vesijärvi (Haralanharju), near Vehoniemen automuseo (Vehoniemenharju) and by Pohtiolampi camping centre. From Haralanharju tower you can see the view that inspired the much-loved traditional poem and song "Sommardag i Kangasala".
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phone: +358 3 288-7111address: Myllystenpohjantie 2A stately old church built from grey stone in the 1760s. A famous "blood stone" (verikivi) in the north wall slowly leaks a reddish, bloodlike substance.
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phone: +358 3 3140-4000address: Kustaa Kolmannentie 75 (Kisaranta)An "automobile and road museum" that, true to the name, showcases lots of old and unusual cars. A must for the motoring buff but skippable for the rest of us. Open daily 10 AM to 4 PM in winter, until 8 PM in summer.
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phone: +358 3 376-7795address: Vehoniemenharjuntie 92A nice, small car museum with some rarities. Free entrance! The museum has a café and a shop, which, among other things, has a lot of model cars for sale. The museum is located on a ridge in a nature preservation area, the area is great for small hikes and there is a free observation tower with some of the best views in Finland.
Kangasalan lepokotiAn old villa with a long and colourful history. It is located just next the town centre and has offered lodging and workspaces for many Finnish writers, composers and other artists for 100 years. Guided tours are available by request and during summer there is a small shop selling local handicrafts.
Do
Kaarinan polku60 km hiking path through Kangasala that goes through remote wilderness and historical places. You can get maps at Kangasala Town office or at Mobilia.
PohtiolampiSighting tower, restaurant/café, salmon fishing and chance to see ospreys hunting. Located next to stone age Sarsa settlements and the site of the biggest natural disaster in the Nordic countries (1604 overnight catastrophic draining of lake Längelmävesi caused by postglacial rebound, man-made changes in drainage, and rains).
Buy
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Marjamäki Willow Farm (Marjamäen Pajutila)
phone: +358 3 3771 301address: Hanuri-Topin tie 35 , FI-36200 KangasalaThe warm and welcoming farm offers a wide variety of wickerwork produce but beautiful things for the home and the garden as well. Also worth a visit is their heaven of cakes on the attic of the old barn.
Eat
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address: Ruutanantie 3, 36200 KangasalaHigh quality restaurant in the center of Kangasala serving food from local ingredients. Also has a cafe and pastry shop downstairs.
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address: Lentolankuja 2, 36220 KangasalaThe only Afghan restaurant in Finland, serving also more local variants.
Sleep
Uotilan lomamökitOffers cottages for rent – from posh villas to more traditional Finnish summer cottages.
LomaroineRents traditional (both modern and old style) cottages.
Stay safe
- For urgent need of medical treatment, Kangasala health center reception (Terveyskeskus) is at Herttualantie 28. Open weekdays at 8-21 and weekends at 9-21.
- In medical emergencies, the nearest ER is at Tampere University Hospital (ACUTA). In emergency, call 112 (free from all phones).