Riihimäki's hidden gems
Do you know what hidden gems are? Hidden gems or hidden pearls describe places, phenomena or art that are not generally known to everyone, but are worth discovering. I was thinking about those places in Riihimäki for my photography project. Where can I find the right hidden gems? I decided to ask the experts, i.e. the locals. I reached out to them in the Riihimäki Facebook group. Thanks to everyone who responded ❤
In addition to the sites featured here, the following sites were suggested as hidden gems: Hatlamminsuo, Mafka & Alakoski, outdoor pool ja water tower, Rocklands climbing walls, Workers' Museum Building, Roads and buildings in the cabin block, Atsaleapuisto park, Thursday's pea soup and pancakes in a garrison setting at the Officers' Club, Riihimäki horce racing, Prison, Moss Marsh, Käräjäkoski, Restaurant Piletti, in Erkylä, Kuopionluko and Peltosaari Wetland ParkWe will take these destinations into account in the future on the Visit Riihimäki website.
Railway Park and Highway
“When you walk along the road to the church, you see old Riihimäki at its best. The old Paloheimo power plant with its chimneys.”
The Railway Park is the oldest park in Riihimäki, its construction began in the 1850s. It is located between the railway station and the city center. The park is a pleasant, peaceful oasis with old tree plantations and residential houses. The road, which is anything but a real road, runs through the Railway Park. It is an idyllic little cobblestone road. There you can admire wonderful gate knobs, beautiful residential buildings, wonderful trees and also the Paloheimo pipe. When visiting Riihimäki, you can discover new wonderful details in the Railway Park or enjoy the milieu of the old days.
The tree of knowledge
I received a special instruction: “The hidden attraction is on the corner of Temppelikatu and Hämeenkatu in the courtyard.” With this instruction, I set off to find the hidden attraction without knowing at all what to expect. At the corner of Temppelikatu and Hämeenkatu, I entered a dark corridor wondering where on earth I was going. I found a hidden gem, an artwork called The Tree of Knowledge. I recommend searching and finding this magnificence. Finding is one part of the experience of The Tree of Knowledge. The Tree of Knowledge is an artwork completed by Veikko Eskolin in 1985.
Cash stones
The Kassoskivet were a complete mystery to me, fortunately the proposal advised me to google the matter. The Kassoskivet are located in the Herajoki River in Riihimäki. It is a natural formation formed by two very large boulders leaning against each other. This sight was enormous and incredibly magnificent. In addition, there is a geocache site near the Kassoskivet. A two-meter-long “corridor” is formed between the stones. So, these are two large boulders, whose magnificence I recommend experiencing. The stones are about 6–8 meters high. Address: Takalantie 1–39, 11710 Riihimäki
Murals and street art
As a wild card, I decided to introduce a hidden gem that I myself have discovered in Riihimäki – namely murals and street art. Riihimäki has many murals, the latest of which – the Maija Isola mural – has recently received a lot of attention. Murals are a good part of street art, along with statues, sculptures, light art and graffiti. Murals in Riihimäki are located, among other places, on the side of Hotel Seurahuone, in the Art Museum and on Peltosaari. Street art can be found in abundance, for example, in electrical cabinets. The best thing about murals and street art is finding, searching and falling in love.
The Peltosaari mural, conceived by Riihimäki artist Edwina Goldstone, was unveiled in 2016. The wall of Hotel Seurahuone opposite the music institute is adorned with a colorful mural by Patrik Korhonen (2021). Its theme is Marimekko's Unikko pattern and its designer is Riihimäki native Maija Isola. On the wall of the Art Museum and the Police Department, Edwina Goldstone's work presents places and people from Riihimäki (2021).
Also check out our blog: What is Hämälä street art?
Text and images: Pauliina Lindgren as part of the Master's degree in Renewed Journalism at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.