Every design for Vihti

What comes to mind first when someone mentions Vihti: horses, Lake Hiidenvesi or the ruins of a medieval church? Vichtis in Swedish, the municipality lies north-west of Helsinki on the road to Turku, with Nummela as its seat and the old church village as its second centre. It is known for the outdoors, with a ski centre, golf courses, hiking and cycling routes, and riding stables that make it one of the most important equestrian areas in Finland.

There is a long tradition of coming here to rest. Villas, spas and natural-health retreats such as Luontola, Päivölä and Hopeaniemi drew city people out to the lakes, and around the turn of the twentieth century Vihti was held up as a model farming parish. The past is never far away: Pyhän Birgitan kirkon rauniot mark where St. Bridget's Church stood at Niuhala, Vihdin museo tells the local story and Viljamakasiini, the old granary, keeps the farming years in view.

If your summers were spent on the shores of Hiidenvesi or your school days in Nummela, this map is yours to keep.