Verla was the first stop of our five day round trip of Southeastern Finland. A friend recommended... read more
Verla was the first stop of our five day round trip of Southeastern Finland. A friend recommended... read more
LOved my visit to this place. Baeutiful buildings which are free to wander around on the outside... read more
Even though I've been there after hours, it is still was worth a visit. Very beautiful and rare villa, impressive factory and lovely riverside. Probably this place is even better when the galleries are open
Don't pass this lovely, heart warming and surprising place if you have a chance to visit Verla! It's very beutiful small factory area by a water side. The story of Verla is amazing, as they kept the factory running as long as their empoyees wanted to work there (the new owner, UPM had decited years ago that the small factory doesn't produce enough and they didn't invest to new machines, and the employees used the old measures (from the 19th century) to the end of the factory!). So visiting the factory museum is a leap straight to the old times, when men were made of steel.. There's also some nice shopping as handicrafts and wine, to do, as well as a nice little restaurant and cafe to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere!
Verla Mill is a museum where you can take a guided tour in a factory that has been left in the condition it was over 50 years ago. Due to its small scale, it was not much modernized during its years of operation, thus the factory tools and methods used go further back, to late 19th century. While the tools are not in use any more, all remains on its original place. Far more authentic experience than the usual museum setup on showing old articles in well-lit rooms but out of context.
You can be a old machine enthusiast, interested in the history of working life, or just want to see how and possibly where was the cardboard made for that old book at your grannies place.
This place has been a UNESCO World Heritage since 1996. This is a boardmill remained as it was in 1964 when it was closed. Our guide was Jussi who knew personally some of the workers. They had told stories to him. Nowadays it is a museum, where you can get in on guided tours. Verla is a village where workers lived. Still looking a very charming village on the Verlankoski rapids. In the summertime there are boutiques selling handicraft, local wineshop and restaurant. Pittoresque place to visit. Verla is located about 150 km from Helsinki and 30 km from Kouvola. I suppose Visit Kouvola will organize tours there, at least I saw a minibus several times.
Do a tour if you can. We were not overly interested in timber milling but booked on a guided tour and found ourselves completely fascinated. Our guide was passionate, informative and brought the site alive for us. The movie taken in the last days of the mill's operations added real experience. The site itself is beautiful even with construction happening.
It was a cold and windy summer day and there were not much to see. Paintings in the cliff were messy and difficult to see. Yes, it was very beautiful place, but was it worth of driving there?? I'm not sure. If you are already in the neighborhood, then of course you must visit this!