A Culture All Its Own

The summer in Varkaus surprises the culture vulture! The lakeside town of Saimaa offers a diverse range of places to visit and experiences to suit all tastes, whether you are a fan of summer theatre, naive art, mechanical music or history.

Varkaus offers a unique blend of nature, industrial history and deep local culture. The city lives and breathes industry and its history. As you walk through its streets, you can sense the layers and stories of history and admire the work of a number of architects, not forgetting the most famous, Alvar Aalto.

One of the core areas of Varkaus' history is The Old Varkaus area. Its rustic wooden landscape hides a number of delightful places to visit and stay. The distinctive atmosphere of old Varkaus is complemented by the modern Varkaus just next door, which you can sense in the garden cafés with the quiet hum of the factory in the background.

A fascinating spectrum of culture will surprise you. Welcome to a journey to a Varkaus all its own!

Top 6 Culture And History(s) to Wonder At

Varkauden museokeskus Konsti

The new Varkauden museokeskus Konsti, opening in April 2024, offers an impressive range of exhibitions under one roof. Located in the historic Old Varkaus area, the walls of the more than 100-year-old Tehtaan koulu with the Museum of Varkaus , the Art Museum of Varkaus and the Lasten Tehdas, where children and child-lovers can play, play and have adventures. The museum is free of charge.

The Museokeskus Konsti in Varkaus introduces you to the history, present and future of industrial cooperation and expertise in Varkaus. If you don't have time to visit anywhere else, here you can understand the whole identity of the city in one visit.

Varkauden museokeskus Konsti
Satakunnankatu 1, 78300 Varkaus
varkaus.fi/konsti

Museum of Mechanical Music

Music has been performed without players and sound systems long before modern recording formats. At the Museum of Mechanical Music, the only museum of its kind in Finland and the largest in the Nordic countries, you can see and hear the history of mechanical music from the 1850s to the present day. On a fast-paced, guided tour, the stories come to life and there's no shortage of humour.

The museum's collection of over 400 instruments is nothing short of astonishing: from music boxes, automatic pianos, orchestras, violins, accordions and small posteriors to the huge Popper Goliath Orchestra, with no fewer than 75 players. The museum updates its exhibition every year with fascinating new instruments. Welcome to Finland's most poseur museum!

Museum of Mechanical Music
Pelimanninkatu 8, 78850 Varkaus
mekaanisenmusiikinmuseo.fi

Taidekeskus Väinölä

Taidekeskus Väinölä is a historic, charming wooden house in Old Varkaus that is over 110 years old. Its three gallery rooms host changing art exhibitions throughout the year.

In the summer, the art centre puts on a colourful display of naïve art. ILOA - Naivistit Varkaudessa is an annual national exhibition where numerous naivist artists spread joy and good cheer with their works. This exhibition, suitable for the whole family, is on display until 24 August.

Väinölä also features a large basic collection of prints and paintings, a professional framing studio, an artists' shop with supplies and posters, and a cosy café.

Taidekeskus Väinölä
Ahlströminkatu 8-10, 78250 Varkaus
taidekeskusvainola.fi

Taiteilijatalo Taideniitty

Located in an idyllic wooden quarter of old Varkaus, this former workers' house is over 100 years old, "Niittylä II, has been transformed into a charming artists' house and a lively cultural centre, offering unforgettable experiences for artists and visitors alike.

Taiteilijatalo Taideniitty is full of art exhibitions, courses and cultural events that attract culture-curious tourists from far and wide. Art, music, pampering and delicacies abound during the cultural summer at Taideniity.

The Taideniity gallery features changing exhibitions, three artist studios, artist residences, a shared studio and accommodation. The youngest members of the family can experience memorable adventures on the Old Varkaus Hobby Horse Stable and obstacle course.

In summer, the Taideniity premises are home to the charming Fifty-Fifty Café Niittylä, which serves famous savoury and sweet bubble waffles and other delicacies. When faced with a choice, the solution is simple: choose a fifty-fifty waffle with half a savoury and half a sweet bubble waffle.

Taiteilijatalo Taideniitty
Kissakoskenkatu 6, 78300 Varkaus
taideniitty.fi

Wanhan Warkauden Kauppahalli

Wanhan Warkauden Kauppahalli opened in spring 2024. The more than 100-year-old building features charming small boutiques and workspaces, as well as products from dozens of different artisans. Here you can meet artisans at work and buy unique food, art, jewellery, ceramics, clothes and more.

In the cosy Patruuna and Taiteen kahvilakammari, you can immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Old Varkaus and enjoy local delicacies that are guaranteed to take your breath away.

Wanhan Warkauden Kauppahalli
Ahlströminkatu 34, 78300 Varkaus
wanhanwarkaudenkauppahalli.fi

Summer Theatres

Summer without theatre is like a sauna without a heat - this summer Varkaus offers unforgettable experiences for summer theatre lovers!

Kangaslammin kesäteatteri - Kuuden naisen loukussa

Kangaslammin kesäteatteri offers a light-hearted, yet poignant story of a man who has lost his memory and lonely women looking for love. Performances 30.6.-14.7. at the Kangaslammin urheilukenttä under a canopy.

Teatteriryhmä Savon Pariisi - Lavalle lamps

Teatteriryhmä Savon Pariisi brings eight theatre performances to the Taidekeskus Väinölä and two performances to Viljolahti Toukola for the summer with the play "Lavalle, lamps".

The play tells the story of events in a rural village over the course of a couple of weeks; concern about saving a dance floor, interest in a milk truck driver, the desire of young people to get out of small circles, the latest gossip discussed in a shopping truck... The play is accompanied by dance floor music from the 70s and 80s.

Performances 5 July - 3 August