Take a holiday in the charming, historical area of Vihti and you will be able to go hiking around the lakeside plateaus of Nuuksio National Park or climbing and exploring the caves of the Rokokallio boulders. See the ruins of a 17th century church, visit the Koivisto Museum Hill and tour the atelier of well-known Finnish sculptor Seija Rustholkarhu.
Vihti is located in the western part of Uusimaa province on the shore of Lake Hiidenvesi. It is part of the Helsinki metropolitan area. The journey from central Helsinki takes under one hour by car or bus, making the area readily accessible from the city. A holiday in Vihti is full of urban comforts but surrounded by invigorating natural landscapes.
Nuuksio National Park is a real national treasure in Greater Helsinki. The park offers plenty to do for all visitors, from peaceful hiking, fishing or birdwatching to enjoyable geocaching and exciting rock or ice climbing, depending on the season. The Finnish Scout organisation has set up a fun activity for children: take the whole family out to search for ten boxes that have been hidden in the area. The boxes contain a guest book, fun facts and stories about nature and history, as well as tasks and clues to help you find the next box. You may even catch sight of a rare Siberian flying squirrel in Nuuksio.
Vihti has a fascinating history: people are known to have arrived in the area 9,000 years ago, attracted by the rich diversity of game in the forests. However, it was located along routes frequented by Vikings and bandits, and was known to be inhabited by witches. The story goes that the local shaman cursed the forests in the area so that every married woman who set out on a hunt would be rendered infertile, preventing the area from becoming inhabited by people, thereby preserving the wildlife. The name, Vihti, is believed to derive from an ancient Germanic word meaning witchcraft, witch or wise person.
Understandably, the area remained uninhabited for millennia, although some hunters were courageous enough to enter the area. The area appears to have been permanently inhabited in the 16th century. In the period since then, the Vihti area has built up numerous beautiful historical attractions, such as the ruins of St Bridget's Church, which served the populace from the 17th century to the 19th century, the beautiful 18th century Vihti Church and the old-fashioned historic house museum from the 18th century belonging to Salmelan Rusthollimuseo. The Vihti Museum also offers a glimpse in to old-fashioned Finnish life and culture.
More modern culture is on offer at Vihti Theatre in the form of plays and outdoor summer theatres as well as at Seija Rustholkarhu's atelier. Visit this workshop to find out more about the work and methods of the well-known sculptor and artist. You can even have your own portrait painted. Engross yourself in artworks at Galleria Pictor, which focuses on supporting and displaying local art.
Come to enchanted Vihti for a genuinely fascinating trip within reach of Helsinki!
