30km/18mi south of Hämeenlinna is the industrial town of Riihimäki (pop. 26,000), a railroad junction where two important lines from Helsinki separate, one going to Tampere and the other to Lahti. In the Riihiraitti open-air museum there are exhibits dating from the beginning of the railroad age in Finland. The country's first railroad line, between Riihimäki and Hyvinkää, was opened in 1867, and five years later the whole line between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna was in service.
Riihimäki is also noted for its numerous sports teams.
The Glass Museum, housed in an old glassworks in Riihmäki adapted for the purpose by the Finnish artist Tapio Wirkkala, and the Finnish Hunting Museum. The town's landmark and emblem is a water-tower of 1952 (viewing platform).
Address: Finnish Glass Museum, Tehtaankatu 23, SF-11910 Riihimäki, Finland
Hours:
February 1 to December 31: 10am-6pm
Always closed on: May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Independence Day - Finland (December 6), Good Friday - Christian
The Hunting Museum of Finland displays Finnish hunting culture from the Stone Age to modern times. Exhibits include the camp of a Stone Age hunter, hunt for wild reindeer, the fur trade and sealing.
Address: Hunting Museum of Finland, Tehtaankatu 23 A, SF-11910 Riihimäki, Finland
Hours:
January 9 to April 30: 9am-4pm; Sun:10am-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm; Closed: Mon
The Riihimäki Art Museum highlights an exhibition of Finnish 20th century art from a collection donated by a prominent Finnish art and antiques dealer. There are also foreign paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Address: Riihimäki Art Museum, Temppelikatu 8, SF-11100 Riihimäki, Finland
The Riihimäki summer concerts have been described as part of the music festival elite and feature a different theme every year. The festival takes place in June.
The Festival includes vocal and instrumental concerts and the venues range from traditional halls to Riihimäki art galleries.
Address: Riihimäki Summer Concerts, Valtakatu 10, SF-11130 Riikimäki, Finland
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