In Harjavalta there are many interesting sights. Here's some of them:

• Hiittenharju recreational area
  
• The Emil Cedercreutz Museum and Ccultural Centre
  
• Paradise recreational trail
  
• Harjavalta power plant
  
• Other sights and attractions

HIITTENHARJU RECREATIONAL AREA

Hiittenharju is an archaeologically interesting area with a rich cultural history. We recommend you visit the former seashore of the Litorina Sea on the slopes of the Hiittenharju and the Bronze Age graves. In Hiittenharju, you can also see the remnants of Huovintie, a medieval road that runs through Harjavalta.

Hiittenharju recreational area is a great place for activities such as jogging, swimming, cross-country running, downhill skiing, ski jumping, and cross-country skiing. Hiittenharju offers three illuminated downhill skiing slopes; the longest one of them is 250 meters (820.20 ft.). Hiittenharju is also known as the ski jumping center in the Satakunta Province; there are several ski jump towers, and the plastic landing hill enables ski jumpers to practice in the summer as well.

There are cross-country ski trails for every taste and skill level: you can take a fast and illuminated trail with plenty of elevation changes or ski a long and flat trail with little hills and take a break at a ski hut or a lean-to. The longest trail in Hiittenharju is 10 kilometers (6.21 mi.). There are also ski tracks and a ski park for children.

The indoor swimming pool is open five days a week. You may also reserve it for private use. In addition to four 16.67-meter lanes, the pool has a spacious bleacher area and a cozy café.

THE EMIL CEDERCREUTZ MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTRE

This museum that holds both art and cultural history exhibitions was founded in 1916. Thousands of people visit the museum every year.

The Emil Cedercreutz Museum and Cultural Centre is based on the life work of Baron Emil Herman Robert Cedercreutz (1879–1949). Emil Cedercreutz was a sculptor and a silhouette artist; his sculptures and reliefs can be seen in a number of public places around Finland. In his works, Cedercreutz often depicted work and life in the rural areas, and horses were one of his favorite subjects. The Harjula Artist's Home is also one of his greatest achievements.

The Temple of the Rural Spirit, an ethnological museum, was founded to increase appreciation for rural work. The museum was once the largest local history and culture museum in Finland.

Cedercreutz also collected art, and in addition to his sculptures, the museum has a collection of Finnish and international art: paintings, graphic art, and sculptures from the late 1800s and the early 1900s.

PARADISE RECREATIONAL TRAIL

The town of Harjavalta constructed Paradise Recreational Trail along the Kokemäenjoki River in 1983. The trail was renovated in 1998–1999.

The new recreational trail offers great opportunities for observing the rich variety of flora and fauna in the area. There are plenty of signposts, and there are also two rest areas along the trail. Many people think that the trail is at its most beautiful in the spring when the flowers are about to bloom. The area has an unexceptionally rich variety of birds.

The Paradise Recreational Trail starts at the power plant. There is also another start point at Satalinna.

OTHER SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS:

¤ Kukkilintu, a Karelian home museum of handicrafts and porcelain painting
¤ Open by appointment
¤ Telephone: (02) 674 1611

¤ Uotila Farm—a peasant milieu
¤ The Uotila farm has been owned by the same family since 1604
¤ Visits by appointment
¤ Telephone: (02) 674 2240

¤ Merstolan pysäkki, a car museum
¤ An automobile exhibition
¤ Telephone: (02) 674 1341

¤ Tuula Juti's studio
¤ The studio is located at the Ylinen farm in Näyhälä
¤ Open daily in July, from 1 PM to 7 PM and by appointment
¤ Telephone: (02) 674 1001