Vittinki is being developed into a tourist attraction – Did rhodonite sparkle in the empress’s crown?

A person and a ladder in a quarried mine.
The fire-quarried mine is one of Vitting’s rare fire-quarried mines. Pictured is village activist Mika Alanko.

The Asemanseutu area of Ylistaro consists of several villages that together belong to a development association. The area’s history is unique.

– The Vitting mining area is a rarity made up of nearly 20 mine pits, and it is Finland’s second-oldest iron mine. There are two fire-quarried mines on display in Finland, and both are found in Vitting, the development association activist Harri Ritari says.

The special features don’t end there.

– Only the Vitting mining area has grindable rhodonite, which some classify as a gemstone. It is the municipal stone of Ylistaro, and jewelry can be made from it.

According to historical records, the Orisberg ironworks was once built on Vitting ore. The Wasastjerna owning family of the Törnävä manor has also had a claim in Vitting.

According to experts, it is possible that the industrialization of the entire area began precisely from Vitting because of the large mines, the chair of the development association Johanna Punkari says.

If there are enough eager, impulsive people, things get done immediately

The Asemanseutu vehicle event, a walking floorball tournament and New Year’s fireworks with curling competitions are popular events. The multi-purpose hall houses a fitness and exercise room. A fitness trail and a beach volleyball court complete the facilities.

– Before the coronavirus pandemic the Asemanseutu village hall had bookings almost every evening and the multi-purpose hall hosted hundreds of visitors per week, Johanna counts.  

The village’s vitality stems from active residents, and every year the Kyläviri award is given to someone who has worked for the village.

– If there are enough eager, impulsive people, things get done immediately. If you need help, you’ll find professionals and machinery from many fields here, Harri says.

Johanna, who moved here from elsewhere, was happy to join the active association, which has an open atmosphere.

– You could call village association activity a hobby, although sometimes I wonder if it’s even a way of life, Johanna laughs.

Life in the countryside is safe and villagers know each other. Cooperation between the school and the development association’s people has also been seamless for years. The development association’s buildings are used daily by schoolchildren and presentations about the area’s history have been held for pupils.

– It’s great to drive on the road when schoolchildren come by and everyone waves, Harri notes.

Aerial photo of a large village hall and a multi-purpose hall.
created by dji camera

Johanna’s and Harri’s tips for Asemanseutu:

  1. When Vitting’s 1.5-kilometer nature trail opens, it will become a tourist attraction.
  2. At the Pietaruksen swimming pits, the sauna is heated every day in summer.
  3. Ritari’s home museum. Harri offers a guided presentation by arrangement https://visitseinajoki.fi/kohteet/nae-ja-koe/museot/ritarin-kotimuseo/
  4. The “Memories of Seinäjoki” series contains short historical documentaries, e.g. about the Vitting inn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omTSlQ1UaSg