Every design for Toijala

Toijala sits beside Lake Vanajavesi, the waterway that links the southern part of Pirkanmaa with Kanta-Häme, a short way south of Tampere. Its story is bound up with the old parish of Akaa: when that municipality was dissolved, its church village became the market town of Toijala, and the rest was shared among Kylmäkoski, Viiala and Sääksmäki. Toijala later joined Viiala to form today's town of Akaa, and it became the centre, with the town hall and the administration.

Its position made Toijala a railway town. The lines from Riihimäki and Tampere meet the one from Turku here, and a branch runs on to Valkeakoski, so the junction has shaped everyday life for generations. Toijalan veturimuseo keeps that heritage alive with its locomotives. The town has a sweeter claim to fame as well: a large factory in the Kurvola district makes mämmi, and Akaa has even hosted world championships in eating it. Nahkialanlampi and its park are where people go for fresh air.

Then there are the small details: sculptures called Aurinko, Mars and Neptunus around town, and a little inland harbour where boats tie up.