A beloved and tenacious old church

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Petäjävesi Old Church tells the story of the Finnish people’s everyday life over four centuries. Built by Central Finland’s land-owning peasants in 1763–65 with their masterful carving skills, the Old Church has been the site of the most profound moments of life. The Old Church is beloved by the residents of Petäjävesi, and it is visited by thousands of enchanted tourists every year.

Enjoy life in the paradise of Petäjävesi

A rural village at heart, Petäjävesi is home to captivating nature sites, the Petäjävesi Old Church and approximately 4,000 residents. The trip from Jyväskylä to Petäjävesi takes less than 30 minutes. Stay the night in a more than one hundred year-old farmer’s hut of a vicarage and pet some sheep while enjoying the rural settings surrounding the country suites, or you can rent a summer cottage of your own. In Petäjävesi, you can enjoy life. Known for its close sense of community, artisanal skills and locally produced food, the 150-year-old Petäjävesi has deep roots in Finnish soil.