Orivesi is a popular town destination that offers both fine landscapes and cultural experiences. Located about 25 miles from Tampere, Orivesi is easily accessible, and Lake Längelmävesi might well tempt you to consider a longer holiday. Enjoy the exhibitions at Leporanta Art Centre, or go rowing around the district.
Explore the unique sights of Kaarikirkko Church and Paltamäki Museum. The church was completed in 1961 in a lovely contemporary style and is regarded as a masterpiece of post-war church architecture. For those interested in more traditional sights, Paltamäki Museum has fourteen old houses in its grounds from all around Orivesi. These include a mill, residential buildings from different centuries and a traditional dugout that was built to commemorate war veterans.
Orivesi is full of culture during the summer, when the local art centres open their doors to the public. Visit Leporanta Art Centre for exhibitions of works by Finnish artists, ranging from the interpretive to the abstract. In addition to its temporary art exhibitions, Purnu Art Centre includes a permanent exhibition of works by sculptor Aimo Tukiainen.
After these cultural experiences, it’s time to relax, so head for the Rönni Entertainment Centre located in Eräjärvi village. Enjoy hours of dancing on a traditional wooden stage that has been the venue for dances since 1949. The stage is surrounded by lakes and has a restaurant that’s open during the day, as well as a beach for swimming and volleyball.
You can organise an inexpensive holiday in Orivesi by starting in the Eräpyhä nature reserve area, which has a challenging hiking path with magnificent views of the lakes. You can also experience the natural scenery by taking a canoe trip that starts from the Juupajoki River and ends at Lake Längelmävesi.
Driving to Orivesi takes about half an hour from Tampere, and highway 9 provides direct connections from Turku and Jyväskylä. Orivesi also has good train and bus services. Get to know the scenery of Pirkanmaa from the serenity of Orivesi.
