Laitila (Swedish: Letala) is a small town in Finland Proper.
Understand
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Laitila, with some 8,500 inhabitants, has been regarded a town since 1986. It is surrounded by fields and known for production of egg and early vegetables (75% of Finnish early carrots), nowadays also for the brewery and soft drink factory (Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas). Indeed, a significant part of its industry is about food processing. Laitila belongs to a common commuting area with Uusikaupunki and Rauma, still with more people commuting to the town than away from it.
The area is rich in finds from the Iron Age, the most notable being the Vainionmäki grave field. The oldest glass item found in Finland, from Roman times, was found here. Among built environments of national interest are the villages of Untamala and Suontaka and the farm yard of Kauppila.
- Tourist information (Poukan talo), Keskuskatu 4 (in the centre), ☏ +358 40-653-7510. In a farmhouse from the 1700s. Exhibitions about chicken farming and about the soft drink factory. Café. Exhibitions €1.
- Laitila guides (Laitilan oppaat) (at Poukan talo), ☏ +358 2 854-461. Guided tours.
Get in
[edit]Loimaa is on E8, 60 km north from Turku, and on road 43, which leads from the inland towards Uusikaupunki via Laitila.
There are several coaches daily from Turku, mainly by Onnibus. Most are express or special express services, stopping at 1 "Meijeri" by E8, a hundred metres east or west of the main street Keskuskatu. Some come all the way from Helsinki, continuing to Pori or Oulu. Coaches originating in Turku usually head for Uusikaupunki, Rauma, Pori, Tampere or Vaasa. The regular services (also normal express ones?) also go via the 2 Bus Station and other key locations.
Get around
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The town itself is compact, but for the surroundings you will probably need a bike or car. Taxis should be available (see Finland Proper#By taxi).
See
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There are several local history museums in old houses, often maintained by the local communities of the villages. Many are open on request only. Enquiries can be made to the head of culture ☏ +358 2 8501-6460.
- Kaariaisten mäkitupalaismuseo (3 km along road 43 towards Eura, then 3.3 km along Kaivolantie, then along Väliläntie following the signage), ☏ +358 2 854-461. Open by agreement. A mäkitupa, house of a poor tenant family, who lived eight persons in a single room. Museum since the 1930s. Interior as in the 1920s.
- 1 Kauppila (Kauppilan umpipiha), Koukkelantie 240 (3,4 km south from the centre, 5 km from E8 along the signed route), ☏ +358 40-653-7510, [email protected]. June–August Su 12:00–17:00, 27 June–15 August also Tu–F 12:00–17:00, Sa 12:00–16:00. Local history museum: the enclosed yard of an old wealthy farm with buildings, the oldest of which are from the 1600s. The farm was inhabited into the 1950s, and is a museum since 1975. Sheep. Café. Events in summer. Adults €4, children free.
- 2 Romanov heritage (Seppo Rinnen kokoelma), Koulutie 2 (in the centre), ☏ +358 400-435-255. Porcelain and other items from the Romanovs era of the Russian Empire.
- 3 Saint Michael's Church (Pyhän Mikaelin kirkko), Keskuskatu 7 (in the centre), ☏ +358 2-851-565.
- 4 Saint Peter's Church (Pyhän Pietarin kirkko) (Untamala). Church originally built in 1785. There has been a church on the site already in medieval times. Services on some holidays, evening prayers in summer. Check dates.
- 5 Suontaka. The Suontaka village of some 200 inhabitants is a cultural heritage site of national significance, as it has kept the general layout from the 18th century, before the great land reform that split the villages. The buildings are mostly from the 19th and 20th century, representing a continuing tradition. In the mid-18th century there were 6–8 proper farms in the village, and rented small farms scattered in the surroundings. The village is still vivid, with a small school (classes 1–6) and several associations.
- Untamalan kylänraitti (in Untamala, 5.5 km north from the centre along E8). Former main road of the Untamala village, a built environment of national significance. By the road is Untamala local history museum (Sarkin talonpoikaistalo), the Saint Peter Church and the community centre Ventola with a café, in an old farmer's house. Nearby is a culture path through a grave field from 0–200 CE.
Do
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- 1 Kino Laitila, Vihtorinkatu 8, ☏ +358 50-567-7587, [email protected]. Most shows in the day or early evening. Movie theatre. €8–13.
Hill forts
[edit]There are several ancient hill forts in Laitila: Kirkkelinna, Hautvuori, Seppälän linnavuoret and the ones of Vaimaro's Matinmaa. These were used as refuges when enemies or pirates were coming, steep outcrop hills, where walls were built at less steep sections. In addition to their value as historical sights, a visit usually entails a nice walk through the forest and fine views, and the hills offer adventures for children by their rugged milieu. The sites are protected, so don't move rocks or otherwise change the environment.
- 2 Hautvuori (signage from Pirttikyläntie). Bronze Age hill fort.
- 3 Kirkkelinna (signage from Pirttikyläntie). Iron Age hill fort.
- 4 (signage from Linnavuorentie). Iron Age hill fort, some findings possibly from the Bronze Age.
Events
[edit]- Jazzkukko: July. Swing and jazz festival. (date needs updating)
Buy
[edit]- 1 K-Supermarket Laitila, Kauppakatu 3 (in the centre). M–Sa 07:00–22:00, Su 09:00–22:00. A grocery store.
- 2 S-market Laitila, Kauppakatu 8 (in the centre). M–Sa 07:00–22:00, Su 08:00–22:00. A grocery store.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Ahoska Catering, Keskuskatu 24 (in the centre), ☏ +358 400-599-786. Lunch M–F 10:30-14:30. Lunch and catering.
- 2 Ravintola Kukonkulma, Keskuskatu 18 (in the centre), ☏ +358 2 856-058. M–Th 10:30–22:00, F 10:30–23, Sa 11:00–23:00, Su 12:00–22:00; lunch M–F 10:30–14:00. Lunch €7–9; kebab €9–13, salad €11–14, burger €14, pizza €15–20, à la carte €20.
- 3 Hyvinvointikeskus Poukanville, Keskuskatu 4 (in the centre), ☏ +358 2 857-8233, [email protected]. Lunch –13:30. €9.
- 4 Lounaskahvila Wilhelmiina & Waltteri, Turuntie 11 (in the centre), ☏ +358 2 856-380, [email protected]. Lunch 10:45–13:30. €7–9.
Drink
[edit]Laitilan Kievari below offers some nightlife.
- 1 Tiihosen Leipomo, Keskuskatu 13 (in the centre), ☏ +358 2 854-211. M–F 07:30–16:30, Sa 09:00–14:00. Café and patisserie.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Laitilan Kievari, Keskuskatu 20, [email protected]. Lunch M–F 10:30–14:00. Hotel and hostel. Three restaurants and café. Sauna. Lunch. Live music some evenings, for dancing or otherwise. Single €95, double €130, additional bed €40 (breakfast included); room with sauna €170–180; hostel €58/75/90, room with en suite shower and toilet €88, breakfast +€5; lunch €6.50/10/15–20 (soup/buffet/+separate main).
Connect
[edit]- 1 Library, Kauppakatu 5, ☏ +358 40-485-3543, [email protected]. Sep–Apr: M–F 10:00–19:00, Sa 10:00–15:00. Library. Chrome computers, tablets, scanner and printer for public use. Free Wi-Fi. Foreign newspapers and magazines might be available over the net through PressReader and eMagz.
Go next
[edit]- The surrounding Vakka-Suomi countryside
- Uusikaupunki on the coast, the main town of Vakka-Suomi
| Routes through Laitila |
| Pori ← Raumo ← | N  S
|
→ Vakka-Suomi countryside → Turku |