Discover Sipoo: Churches, Museums and the Archipelago

For a trip to Sipoo, there are several distinct themes to choose from: churches and museums offer insights into architectural and local history, Nikkilä combines Art Nouveau buildings with hospital and art history, and the archipelago focuses on activities on the water. You can tailor your stay to whether you are most interested in historic sites, collections or spending time outdoors.

Churches from Different Centuries

The Old Church of Sipoo, also known as St. Sigfrid’s Church, was built in the mid-15th century. It preserves 15th-century wall and vault paintings made with earth pigments and charcoal. It therefore brings together architectural history and painting from the same period.

A later architectural landmark is the New Church of Sipoo: this neo-Gothic red-brick building was designed by Theodor Decker and consecrated in 1885. The church is used by Sipoo’s Finnish- and Swedish-speaking congregations. Visits are possible by prior appointment only; arrange one before your trip.

Museums and Ways of Life in the Past

The Agricultural Museum is housed in an old granary right next to the New Church. It displays historic tools and vehicles. For information about opening hours, it is recommended that you contact the operator.

The Sibbesgården local heritage museum is located in Gesterby, one of the oldest villages in Sipoo. Several old buildings on the museum grounds illustrate life in Sipoo in the past. While the Agricultural Museum focuses on tools and vehicles used for work, Sibbesgården brings past ways of life to life through its buildings.

Nikkilä: Hospital History and Art

The hospital in Nikkilä closed in 1999. The former hospital grounds are now a residential area, and visitors can walk among its Art Nouveau buildings. Please park in public car parks outside the area and enter on foot. Avoid private yards and do not enter any buildings.

The history of Nikkilä Mental Hospital includes its distinction as the first hospital to employ a physical education teacher and establish art therapy groups. Associated with the former hospital is an art collection of more than 10,000 works owned by the City of Helsinki. This institutional history complements the story of the buildings with the development of art therapy and the art collection.

Another work of art can be seen on the Arava House in Nikkilä: Rustam QBic’s mural extends around the entire building. It was completed in September 2017 as part of the UPEA17 art event.

Historic Traces and the Archipelago

Sibbesborg Fortress is also part of Sipoo’s history. It once stood on the island of Storängsholmen in the Sipoo estuary and was in use for a short time in the late 14th century, during the reign of King Albert of Mecklenburg of Sweden. The island and the brief period of use place the fortress in a specific historical era.

The recreational areas in the Sipoo archipelago are free to use. Facilities include campfire sites, seating areas and dry toilets. As individual facilities may change, check what is available at your destination before setting out. The archipelago can be reached by ferry, using the BOUT-Ride app, by rented kayak or by jet ski. Check the availability of the ferry and relevant providers before your trip.

The recreational areas offer opportunities for picnics, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and fishing. Paddling to a sandy beach is also one of the activities described. Simsalö is an important hub in the Sipoo archipelago; cultural activities there include concerts as well as arts and crafts and art exhibitions.

Discover more destinations: Billnäs, Kerava, Lohja, Tuusula, Hyvinkää, Nurmijärvi, Svartå, Nummi-Pusula.

For the broader travel overview: Uusimaa.