Every design for Vesilahti

Vesilahti has been a parish since Catholic times, and people lived on the south and south-east shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi thousands of years before that, leaving behind a wealth of Stone Age finds. The name simply means water bay, and the lake still sets the rhythm of the place, south-west of Tampere.

Few places feel as steeped in story. Local legend tells of Hunnun Herra, who brought Christianity, and of the warrior chief Kirmukarmu who fought against him, and the vicar Frans Kärki, born here, gathered the parish's lore before it could be lost. Vesilahden kivisakaristo, the old stone sacristy, now a museum, keeps part of that history, while the Vapaudenkivi and the Karjalaan jääneiden muistomerkki mark more recent times, when families from Sakkola settled here after the wars. Every fifth year the village of Narva fills up for its traditional market, and the Klaus Kurjen tie route leads visitors through the parish's past.

Vesilahti even made headlines when the municipality objected to the colour of a local woman's pink house, and later backed down. Whether you know Savikkolahti from summer swims or from the drive to Tampere, this map is yours.