Teijo has a lot of historic sights and points of interest in Southern Finland. Come and visit Natura Viva in Teijo and explore the region’s vivid history.
The history of Southern Finland and Teijo region is fascinating. The area has been settled as long as there have been permanent inhabitants in Finland. From the 17th century, iron-foundry was practiced in Teijo, as the location of the region in the Turku Archipelago has always offered travel possibilities on water.
Remnants of the once thriving iron industry can be found in three villages, all located at the seashore, a few kilometers West from Teijo National Park. The biggest of the three villages, Teijo village, still hosts some small-scale iron industries. The growth of forestry as an industry attracted business to the region as well.
After the second world war most of the industries slowly perished, and nowadays the Teijo region and Teijo National Park are known for nature restoration projects and vivid small-scale cultural events.
Teijo's ancient history
You can witness the ancient history all over in Teijo National Park. After the ice age, some 9000 years ago, as the ice retreated, the land took its shape. For instance Jeturkasti ancient beach, an ice-mold rock formation, got its shape back then.
Teijo region has been inhabited ever since the end of the ice age, some 8500 years ago. The first written remarks of the area, as well as the moniker ”Teijo”, are from the 14th century. Apparently the mild climate, at least on Finnish standards, and the beautiful nature have attracted people to Teijo already back then.
The 17th century iron-foundries
In the end of the 17th century the iron-foundry industry really took on. At the same time the local nobility started to gather an interest on the Teijo lands and built the first mansions and villas there. The first two iron foundries were built in Teijo village and in Kirjakkala village, the third one was completed in the early 19th century in Mathildedal village. Iron industry needed wood for energy source and rivers for hydropower, so Teijo definitely was an attractive region for the iron tycoons.
After the outbreak of the second world war the iron industry sunk in a recession, from which it never really recovered. Some small shipyards were built, and some remain intact today.
The remnants of the iron-foundry at Kirjakkala can still be seen. All the 19th century built factory settlements and villas have been restored, and today they are an important cultural historic sight in Southern Finland, as well as the two other villages.
There are some accommodation and small handiwork shops in Kirjakkala village. The iron-foundry in Teijo village still runs today, albeit it has been newly built. All the three villages have hundreds of year-round inhabitants and there are handiwork shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs. During the summer season these villages are a major visitor attraction.
National Park status in the 2010s
The Finnish government claimed the forests of Teijo region in 1983. Now they are a part of Teijo National Park, which was established in 2015.