Happy TravellerWelcome to Mäntsälä, a charming municipality located in the Uusimaa region of Southern Finland. With a population of just over 20,000, Mäntsälä is a small but rapidly growing community that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re interested in exploring the region’s traditional livelihoods, taking in the stunning landscapes, or simply enjoying the local cuisine, Mäntsälä has something for everyone.
One of the most notable features of Mäntsälä is its location. Situated just 60 kilometers north of Helsinki, the capital of Finland, Mäntsälä is easily accessible by car or train. In fact, a new railway line was built between Kerava and Lahti with passenger traffic starting in 2006 from Mäntsälä railway station. This means that visitors can reach Helsinki in just 40 minutes, and Lahti even closer. Highway 4 (E75) connecting both cities also passes through Mäntsälä.
Mäntsälä is also known for its rich history. The municipality is considered to have been founded in 1585, when the community’s first church was built. Today, visitors can still see the current church, which was completed in 1866 after a delay caused by the Crimean War. The church is located on Kirkonmäki (Church Hill), where the first town hall was also built in 1854. Today, a museum operates in the building, which has also served as a morgue, school kitchen and lesson space, and a dormitory. The second town hall was built in 1935, also on Kirkonmäki, and served until the completion of the present town hall in 1992. Now it houses an open college.
In addition to its historical landmarks, Mäntsälä is also home to 15 manors, four of which are open to the public. The manors emerged in the 17th century as noblemen feoffs, and traditionally the land belonged to the manors. Today, visitors can see the Mäntsälä manor lying in the town center, where Russian czar Alexander I visited as a guest of Ulla Möllersvärd in 1809. The manors were a sizable landowner in the parish until new legislation in 1918 enabled the crofters to claim the land for themselves.
Mäntsälä is especially known for the Mäntsälä rebellion, which occurred in 1932. About 400 civil guards went shooting at a Social Democratic party rally at Ohkola community hall, interrupting it. In the course of a few days, leaders of the Lapua Movement and armed civil guards from all over the country arrived in Mäntsälä. The government ordered them arrested, and after a speech by President Svinhufvud on 2 March, the situation gradually settled down. The movement disbanded early in spring.
Today, Mäntsälä is a thriving community that offers visitors a unique glimpse into Finnish culture and history. Whether you’re interested in exploring the region’s traditional livelihoods, taking in the stunning landscapes, or simply enjoying the local cuisine, Mäntsälä is a destination that should not be missed. So why not plan your visit today and discover all that this charming municipality has to offer?
