Janakkala

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Janakkala
Municipality
Janakkalan kunta Janakkala kommun
Church of Saint Lawrence in Janakkala
Coat of arms
Location of Janakkala in Finland
Coordinates: 60°55′N 024°39′E / 60.917°N 24.650°E / 60.917; 24.650
Country	Finland
Region	Tavastia Proper
Sub-region	Hämeenlinna
Charter	1866
Seat	Turenki
Villages	Leppäkoski, Tervakoski
Government
• Municipality manager	Reijo Siltala (– 2024)
Area  (2018-01-01)[1]
• Total	586.07 km2 (226.28 sq mi)
• Land	547.41 km2 (211.36 sq mi)
• Water	38.63 km2 (14.92 sq mi)
• Rank	156th largest in Finland
Population  (2025-06-30)[2]
• Total	15,995
• Rank	69th largest in Finland
• Density	29.22/km2 (75.7/sq mi)
Population by native language [2]
• Finnish	95.4% (official)
• Swedish	0.4%
• Others	4.2%
Population by age [3]
• 0 to 14	16.2%
• 15 to 64	59%
• 65 or older	24.8%
Time zone	UTC+02:00 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+03:00 (EEST)
Website	www.janakkala.fi/en/

Janakkala (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈjɑnɑkːɑlɑ]) is a municipality of Finland. Its administrative centre is in Turenki. Janakkala is located along Highway 3 (E12) in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Tavastia Proper region. To the south, Janakkala shares a boundary with Riihimäki, the northern neighbour being Hämeenlinna. It is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Turenki to Hämeenlinna, 94 kilometres (58 mi) to Tampere, and 96 kilometres (60 mi) to Helsinki.

The municipality has a population of 15,995 (30 June 2025)^[2] and covers an area of 586.07 square kilometres (226.28 sq mi) of which 38.63 km² (14.92 sq mi) is water.^[1] The population density is 29.22 inhabitants per square kilometre (75.7/sq mi). In Janakkala the rate of unemployment is 9.7% and the rate of municipal taxes is ^[4]%.^[4][when?] The municipality is unilingually Finnish.

The history of Janakkala stretches far back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds and traces of settlement. The area has been inhabited at least since the Stone Age, and especially the Vanajavesi valley and the Laurinmäki region have served as centers of human habitation for thousands of years. Several significant Iron Age burial sites and sacrificial stones have been found in Janakkala, including a Viking Age cremation cemetery discovered in 2016. The area also features hillforts, with the most famous being Hakoisten Linnavuori, which once served as an important place of refuge and a center of trade.^[5][6][7][8]

Christianity gradually arrived in the Janakkala region from the start of the 9th century, although its official establishment took longer. Before the breakthrough of Christianity, Janakkala was part of the larger Greater Vanaja region, but it became a parish around the year 1300. The first written mention of Janakkala dates back to 1341, when Bo Joninpoika issued a judgment in Janakkala. During the Middle Ages, Janakkala became especially well known for its Hakoisten hillfort and manor houses. These manors have played an essential role in the life of the region for centuries.^[5][8]

The Swedish era, beginning in the 13th century, marked a period when Janakkala became an important base for Swedish administration in Häme. The region's versatile waterways provided excellent conditions for trade and agriculture, and Hakoisten hillfort protected the settlement and its connections to other areas. The role of the church and administration grew significantly over time.^[5]

Janakkala is renowned as a manor parish: it is home to many well-known manors, such as Hakoisten, Harviala, Hyvikkälä, and Vanantaa. For a long time, influential noble families resided in these manors, and manor life has left a lasting impact on the local culture and landscape.^[5]

Industrialization began early in Janakkala compared to many other rural municipalities. The Tervakoski paper mill was established as early as 1818, growing into a significant locality. Leppäkoski, in turn, developed a strong identity through its brick industry, while the significance of the Turenki locality increased thanks to sugar and ice cream factories. The reform of municipal administration, which developed Finnish society, resulted in Janakkala becoming its own municipality under the 1865 decree.^[5]

Janakkala's identity includes a strong connection to history and culture, which is still visible in its settlements, museums, and monuments: the Laurinmäki tenant farmer museum, old manors, Hakoisten linna and church, and many other historical sites all tell the story of a parish with a diverse and long history, from the Stone Age to the present day.^[5][7]

The development of industry in Janakkala began exceptionally early compared to other Finnish rural municipalities. The first significant industrial concentration formed in Tervakoski, where a paper mill was established in 1818. Initially, the factory operated with water power and used rags as raw material, but by the mid-19th century, production became mechanised and steam power was introduced. Over the years, the product range of the paper mill has varied, and at its peak, it produced cigarette and condenser papers as well as banknote paper. Tervakoski paper mill is the oldest continuously operating paper mill in Finland, and it still plays a central role in the region's economy, especially as a producer of specialty papers.^[5]

The area of Leppäkoski, on the other hand, grew around the brick industry. The clayey soil here enabled large-scale brick production, which developed into its own local industrial tradition. Brick manufacturing had a strong impact on the structure and settlement pattern of the entire village of Leppäkoski.^[5]

Another significant industrial area in the municipality is Turenki, where the railway had a decisive influence on the birth of industry and settlement. In the late 1940s, a sugar factory was established in Turenki, which triggered rapid development in the region. The sugar factory also enabled extensive sugar beet cultivation in Janakkala, and millions of kilos of sugar were produced annually during production seasons. Later, in the 1960s, an ice cream factory was built in Turenki, which continues ice cream production today (currently Froneri Finland). Although sugar production ended in 1998, the former factory buildings are still used for industrial and business purposes.^[5][9]

Janakkala still has a diverse industrial structure: it is home to companies in the food industry (Valio and Froneri), metal industry (such as Kolmeks Oy's pump and motor manufacturing), and even musical instrument makers. The municipality is located in a logistically central area of Southern Finland, which has contributed to the establishment of over 900 companies. Expanding business parks, such as MORE (one of the largest in Southern Finland), continue to offer facilities for industry and logistics. Janakkala's industrial history is clearly visible in both the landscape and the economic structure, and various industries still form an important part of the municipality's identity and employment.^[5][10]

The coat of arms of Janakkala, a head of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), the regional animal of Tavastia Proper, describes Janakkala's location in the heart of Tavastia. An aisle line of partition is a reference to Hakoinen Castle into the mountain, and the upper two arrows encircling the cross, symbol of Christianity, the image of the Crusades battles.^[11][12]

The most significant landmarks and attractions in Janakkala form an interesting collection of history, nature, and culture. One of the most well-known sites is the Church of Saint Lawrence, which is the last medieval stone church in the Häme region, built in the early 1500s. The eastern end of the church still displays the coats of arms of the Tott noble family, and it also serves as a venue for various cultural events.^[13][14]

Hakoisten hillfort is another important historical landmark; in the Middle Ages, it was a significant refuge and fortress. Visitors can still sense the atmosphere of history around the hillfort and explore its ruins.^[13]

The Laurinmäki nature and cultural area combines nature and history. The area includes a tenant farmer museum, nature trails, and a summer café, and hosts events throughout the year, such as the traditional Christmas opening.^[13][14]

Puuhamaa is a well-known water park in Janakkala offering diverse activities for families with children, including water slides, boating, motor tracks, and go-karting. It is a popular tourist destination enjoyed by people of all ages.^[13]

Kalpalinna is an all-season skiing and biking center located in Turenki, featuring versatile slopes and services. It attracts visitors who enjoy outdoor sports from near and far.^[13]

Additionally, Janakkala has the Ida Aalberg Museum dedicated to the famous Finnish actress, as well as several nature trails like the Kiipula mountain biking route and Vanajavesi kayaking routes, providing experiences for nature enthusiasts.^[13]

The Janakkala church village environment, with its medieval buildings, cultural cafés, and events, is also an important attraction in the area. Together, these sights make Janakkala a diverse destination where history, culture, and nature meet.^[13]

• Actress Ida Aalberg was born in 1857 in Leppäkoski village in Janakkala.^[15]
• Business magnate, Chairman of Nokia, Casimir Ehrnrooth owned Vanantaka Manor. He is buried at Saint Lawrence Church in Janakkala.^[16]
• Colonel, business magnate Hugo Robert Standertskjöld (1844–1931) was born at Vanantaka Manor in Janakkala. He was the owner of Aulanko in Hämeenlinna.^[17]

• Hattula
• Hämeenlinna
• Häme Castle
• Loppi

Media related to Janakkala at Wikimedia Commons

• Municipality of Janakkala – Official website (in Finnish)