Jyväskylä

 Jyväskylä is located in Central Finland and belongs to the region of southern Finland.
Population: 85 000 inhabitants.
Area: 137.47 km²
272 km from HelsinkiJyväskylä is located on a hilly area, the highest point being Pirttimäki at 249 metres,
but Laajavuori is more popular because it has a skiing centre and ski-jumps.Archaeological resources show that there was a settlement in the Stone Age in this area. In the Middle Ages, this place was very popular amongst other regions, as a place for fishing and hunting. By the 18th century there was active trade, and in 1801 the settlement received the right to trade with foreigners. Jyväskylä was founded in 1837 by Nicholas I, the number of people in 1838 was 189 inhabitants, and almost all of them were from other regions and villages.There were Finnish speaking schools opened in Jyväskylä (lyceum - 1858, school for women - 1864, teacher´s seminary) which attracted students and teachers alike. In the end of 18th century, enterprise industries were established (paper factory, veneer factory). In 1912 the first Summer University in Finland was opened, in 1934 the teacher´s seminary reorganized into a Pedagogic High School. After World War II the city started to develop and grow. Nowadays it is a modern city with nice shopping centers, cafes and restaurants, which are in the centre of the city.

Sights:

1. Alvar Aalto Museum.
2. Observative tower.
3. Jyväskylä Church (1880).
4. Catholic Church.
5. Air - Museum.
6. Museum of Central Finland.
7. Centre of National Clothes.
8. Church Taulumäki (1885).
9. Garden and toursit centre "Viherlandia".
10.Centre of natural science "Kammi".There are many cultural and sporting events, like: "Summer in Jyväskylä", "Jyväskylä at night", "Night at the port", sailing competitions, festival of independent music, auto racing and many other interesting events.