Aalto day 2026 Feb 3: Campus as part of Alvar Aalto Route
Did you know that our campus is part of the Alvar Aalto Route?
The route connects Alvar Aalto's architectural sites into a cultural travel route in Europe. In addition to Jyväskylä, Aalto's urban route includes Seinäjoki, Oulu, Rovaniemi and Pori, among others. In addition to Finland, Aalto's cities can be enjoyed in Italy, France, Germany and Estonia, among others.
-Like the UNESCO World Heritage Site or the European Cultural Heritage Label, the status of the Cultural Route is highly competitive, and it has been a great thing that Alvar Aalto's design and architecture have made it to this list, says Service Manager Pirita Frigren from the Open Science Centre.
The Council of Europe's Alvar Aalto Cultural Route runs through Seminaarinmäki, and the University of Jyväskylä is part of the international Alvar Aalto Route Association, which includes cities, municipalities, tourism companies, museums and foundations.
- For example, the association is currently promoting responsible cultural tourism last year and this year with its Strength from Sustainability – Alvar Aalto Route as a Pioneer of Sustainable Cultural Tourism project, which is why the Council of Europe awarded the route with the Inspiring Practice Award in the category Cultural Tourism and Sustainable Development, Pirita Frigren adds.
The Alvar Aalto Route was certified as the Council of Europe's Cultural Route in 2021. Certification means being part of a network of respected European Cultural Routes.
Free admission to Aalto2 Museum Centre on 3. Feb 2026
An example of the programme of the day is Architect’s Signature Style – Lecture and Workshop with Conservation Architect Susanna Anttila at 4-6 pm
The workshop at the Alvar Aalto Museum will introduce participants to the architect’s thinking and handiwork. Susanna Anttila, restoration architect at the Alvar Aalto Foundation, will present perspectives on design: How are the built environment, the client’s wishes, and the architect’s ideas reconciled? How can we preserve existing buildings and live up to the original designer’s goals?
