Marttila: River Landscapes, Nature Trails and History

Marttila offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: the trail along the Paimionjoki, historic buildings and collections. For longer routes through bog and forest landscapes, try the Marttilan Korven eräreitistö in the municipality of Marttila. If you’re looking for a hotel in Marttila, consider whether nature trails, local history or a combination of the two will be the focus of your trip.

Trails by the River and Through Nature

The Kumpulanrannan jokipolku is open to everyone and is about 1.4 kilometres long. It offers views of Kumpulanranta, Marttila’s former bathing spot, and the rapids landscape of the Paimionjoki at Hakaniitty. Local trail conditions can change. The short riverside trail and the longer routes in the municipality offer different distances to help you plan your own outing.

The Marttilan Korven eräreitistö in the municipality of Marttila offers route options ranging from 5 to 30 kilometres. It runs through an almost wilderness-like landscape of bogs and forest islands. The route was planned to present the area’s nature and rural culture in a variety of ways along the trails. The trails are marked on the ground with white ribbons and other white markings. Both official starting points are about five kilometres from Road 10.

Along the route, you’ll find facilities including campfire sites and lean-to shelters. There are rest areas at some named locations, with nearby signs telling the relevant story or legend. Facilities and markings can change, so check current local information before you set out if you need these details for your planning.

The Kaunilanmaa protected area is also located in the municipality of Marttila. The higher western part has a greater diversity of tree species: pines are predominant, alongside birches, spruces and aspens. In the east is a stand of spruce trees over 100 years old; the dense forest has been left unmanaged for decades. The forest also contains a small, undrained swamp forest. There are numerous windthrows and deadwood along its edges. The different forest and bog areas give the protected area a character distinct from the river landscape along the Kumpulanrannan jokipolku.

Kaunilanmaa was originally called Palomäki. At the request of the family that sold the forest, the protected area was given the name Kaunilanmaa. It is the eleventh protected area of the Luonnonperintösäätiö in Varsinais-Suomi. Crested tits and willow tits breed there; with the decline of old-growth forests, both are considered increasingly threatened species.

Church and Local History

The Church of St. Martin stands in the centre of Marttila and was built in 1765. It represents the South Finnish long-church style shaped by its builder, Antti Piimänen. The church’s furnishings include a 16th-century crucifix; the pulpit was donated by Pietari Brahe. One of the church’s chandeliers is also connected to another place: it served as the model for the chandeliers in Turku Castle’s church.

The Marttilan kotiseutumuseo is housed in former granaries built under an imperial decree between 1852 and 1859. Seed and food grain were stored there for years of poor harvests. The Marttilan nuorisoseura played a major role in assembling a collection of more than 1,000 objects that tells the story of rural everyday life and traditional crafts.

Behind the museum is a monument to Finland’s last execution in peacetime. Antti Antinpoika Hannula was sentenced to death for killing his father; the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Hannula, however, wanted to atone for his deed with his own death and was executed by axe on 22 October 1824.

Getting Around the Municipality

The historic Hämeen Härkätie runs through the municipality of Marttila, connecting Turku and Hämeenlinna. The Paimionjoki, about 110 kilometres long, also flows through the municipality. The river basin and the old roads running alongside it, including the Hämeen Härkätie, form a landscape and tourism area.

Express bus stops are located in central Marttila at the Hämeentie and Marttilantie/Tiipiläntie intersection, and in Ollila at the Hämeentie and Kyröntie intersection. As service information can change, check current connections before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Yläne, Kimitoön, Dragsfjärd, Uusikaupunki, Loimaa, Koski, Askainen, Turku.

For the regional travel overview: Varsinais-Suomi.