Find out about the local history, get to know artistic greats and get your whole body moving on your holiday in the beautiful town of Kuortane in South Ostrobothnia.
Every trip to Kuortane is full of activity, whether you are a keen historian, an art-lover or a sports fan. In Kuortane, you will be able to see famous artists' works, learn about the phases in Finland's wars and experience unique natural environments. Book a hotel room or a cottage and head off for a holiday or just for a weekend break in Kuortane to experience an active holiday in the heart of Ostrobothnia.
Kuortane has numerous small lakes and plentiful flora and fauna, making it a real oasis in the middle of the rugged Suomenselkä drainage divide. Perhaps the beautiful landscapes are the source of local creativity – Finland's most famous and influential architect, Alvar Aalto, was from Kuortane. On your holiday in Kuortane, you will be able to find out about the life of this functionalist architect at Alvar Aalto's childhood home and memorial relief. In the summer, you can visit the art hall of visual artist Soile Yli-Mäyry, which is open every day in the summer season. You can also visit the Klemetti museum, which focuses on the life of choirmaster Heikki Klemetti.
If you are more into history than art, there is plenty for you to see in Kuortane. On your holiday in Kuortane, visit the fascinating museums in the area to find out about life in times gone by. The homestead museum in the centre of the town shows off local buildings from the 16th century to the 20th century, and the church museum, which is situated in the same area, and the stocks and bench of shame are a reminder of the tough discipline in times gone by.
The wars have not been forgotten in Kuortane, and the dugout museum, which is also located in the homestead museum area, gives a genuine taste of soldiers' lives in dugouts during war times. Old military weapons are on display, as well as objects donated by veterans. You can go and remember the brave war-time citizens at the monument to Kuortane citizens who went off to fight in the winter war and monument to the Battle of Ruona. The village of Ruona is also home to the Finnish War Information Centre, which has exhibitions, multimedia presentations and other material about the various phases in the war of 1808–1809.
You can see the other elements of local nature at the Kuortane sports park on the shore of Lake Kuortaneenjärvi. Visit the park's golf courses, pine forest terrain and beaches in the summer to finesse your swing, jog along nature trails or engage in water sports.
In the winter, trips to Kuortane are full of action. The cross-country skiing tracks in the sports park offer good skiing opportunities, while the indoor facilities include a sauna, bowling alley, climbing wall and swimming pool in addition to traditional fitness and indoor exercise facilities. Take children to the Sport&Fun indoor activity centre, which features more than 30 fun activities, slides, bouncy castles and gadgets.
Relax just how you want to on your holiday in Kuortane.
