Iittala Village rounds up everything you must see and experience in the capital of glass manufacturing in Finland, the village of Iittala and the old rural municipality of Kalvola on one website. Experience the magic of glass making, the joy of art, the skillful work of artisans, delicacies for foodies… Iittala is a village of many experiences. You can reach us by car, by bus or ecologically by train. At Iittala Naive Art Railway Station, you can start a joyful experience on the spot at your arrival!
Companies
MUSEUMS — ATTRACTIONS
Iittalan Lasitehdas
Naivistit Iittalassa
Iittalan lasimuseo
SHOPS
Iittala Outlet
Anubis
Linnanrouva
Naskali Leather
EAT&DRINK
Events
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Whirlwind, Sail and Bubble – Fresh Winds in Late Eighties and Nineties Glass Design
History
Master glassblower Peter Magnus Abrahamson is dissatisfied with his position in Nordsjö Glassworks. In his haste he desides to resign his post in Nuutajärvi and establish a new glassworks in a small village of Iittala in Kalvola municipality. A new railway line has just been opened between Helsinki and Tampere cities and there are other benefactories as well, such as a sawmill nearby and the lake Äimäjärvi right next to the aimed site of the glassworks. The first glass is blown on 24th of November 1881.
The glassworks is a true miracle to the locals, and even for people from afar as they travel to see it. Right from the beginning Iittala Glass is famous for its high quality.
Abrahamson moves on already in 1888, but the glassworks remains functioning. The next decade is a success story lead by engineer Claës Norstedt, first as assistant director and later as director of the glassworks. Iittala will be known for some of Finlands most celebrated designers such as Timo Sarpaneva ja Tapio Wirkkala. Within a couple of decades Iittala becomes the heart of Finnish glass design.
Attractions
There are many different attractions in Iittala Village and Kalvola area dating as far as the Iron Age to modernistic design treasures. You can visit Kalvola church area or enjoy some naive art right next to Lasimäki.
