Alavus (Alavo) | Exploring Finland

Alavus is a town in Western Finland and is the seat of the local municipality with the same name. The town and municipality is also known by its Swedish name Alavo and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia Region. However, the municipality’s population of around 10.800 is almost entirely Finnish-speaking. Around 4.000 of these people inhabit the central locality. Alavus is probably most famous for its neighboring village of Tuuri, which is home to Finland’s second largest department store – the Veljekset Keskinen.

A Short History of Alavus

Alavus was settled already during the Stone Age, but signs of a permanent settlement after the Stone Age are yet to be found. The area was for a very long time mostly home to nomadic people. That changed in the 16th century when the Savonian people began to settle in the area. They combined the agricultural society with the more nomadic hunting. A second settler wave later came from the Satakunda Region in the west.

The area of Alavus was originally a part of the Ilmajoki Parish. That changed in 1701 when it got its separate congregation within the newly formed Kuortanee Parish. In 1835 Alavus became the new seat of the parish. The first church is believed to date back to 1677 but has since been replaced several times. The current church was completed in 1914.

Sweden eventually lost Alavus and the rest of Finland at the beginning of the 19th century. During the war, the settlement saw a major battle between the Finnish defenders and the Russian Army. Even though the Russians were forced to retreat, the outcome of the war did not change. The Grand Duchy of Finland was established within the Russian Empire and Alavus accelerated its development and its population grew rapidly.

Further development came when the Haapamäki-Seinäjoki Railway opened in 1883. The construction of the railway about three kilometers north of the church resulted in what is still two separate localities. Even though the importance of Alavus along the railway decreased, the settlement still gained its town charters in 1977.

Things to Do and See

Alavus has a small city center, stretching along the seats just south of the church. Here you will find a few shops and other services. The main attractions during the summer is most likely the lakes, the Kirkkojärvi, and the Vähääjärvi. These lakes both have smaller beaches.

Alavus might not be the main attraction in the area. Instead, just a few kilometers to the east lies the small village of Tuuri. Tuuri is home to the second-largest department store in Finland and attracts visitors to the area. Bicycle paths connect Alavus and Tuuri, making it easy to travel, or even walk, between the areas. Tuuri has also other attractions such as a larger camping site and a rally museum.

Alavuden kirkko

Alavus Church dates back to 1914 and is a brick church with a white exterior. It is believed to be the fourth church that has been built here and includes parts from its predecessors. The belfry is older and was completed already in 1734, just a few decades after the completion of the first church in 1674. Today the church stands in the center of the town.

Kirkkojärvi & Rantapuisto

Kirkkojärvi, the church lake, is a lake right at the center of Alavus. Just next to the center is the Rantapuisto, or the beach park. Here you will find a smaller park with a public scene and a sandy beach along the shore of the lake.

Vähäjärvi & Vähäjärven Iimaranta

Vähäjärvi is another lake just north of Kirkkojärvi. It is a little bit smaller but has a connection to Kirkkojärvi. Along its eastern shores, you will find the Vähäjärven Uimaranta, the local beach adjoined by a green area for outdoor activities.

How to Get to Alavus

Flights: The nearest larger airports are Vaasa Airport in the west, Jyväskylä Airport in the east, and Tampere–Pirkkala Airport in the south.
Car: Alavus lies at the intersection of Road 18 between Seinäjoki and Väätäiskylä and Road 66 between Lapua and Herraskylä.
Train: There are trains to and from the station in Alavuden Asemanseutu. Destinations include places such as Jyväskylä, Seinäjoki, and Ähtäri.

The driving distance from 5 major Finnish cities, according to Google Maps: