Fagervik Ironworks in Inkoo is a Great Road Trip Destination
Finland boasts a few dozen official national landscapes, the most famous of which is probably Koli National Park. However, there are also other renowned places such as the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, the maritime Helsinki and Porvoo Old Town. Among these national landscapes are also lesser-known gems, and one such jewel is the picturesque, utterly charming Fagervik, a village in its own world, tucked away in Inkoo, at the end of a winding road.
- Location on the Map
- 1 hr drive from Helsinki
We drove to Fagervik guided by Google Maps. The small, yet paved road was so winding that the steering wheel got plenty of use, and there was no room for haste. The road seemed popular with both cyclists and motorcyclists, and with a relaxed pace and good camaraderie, the diverse flow of visitors moved safely both to and from Fagervik.
The village center was easy to spot. On one side of the road, people sat at tables on the sunny patio of a café, while on the other side, there was a small parking area and a map of the area. The summer café is the only service in this small village, which might be useful for travelers to know in advance.
We followed the example of others and first dashed to the café to get coffee and soy ice cream. Refreshed by these treats, we then set out to explore Fagervik ironworks beyond the main street. We first stared open-mouthed at the map, trying to figure out where we were and where to head next. For some reason, my map-reading skills and general sense of direction had stayed at home, so we just followed others towards the church by the lake.
The church and the manor are privately owned, as are the adorable cottages in the area, which were the former homes of the ironworks’ workers. It was a joy to see the beautifully maintained buildings and their blooming gardens. Needless to say, in a village like this, visitors should be especially considerate. No peeking through windows or stepping onto anyone’s yard; just stick to the paths and admire from a respectful distance.
In front of the manor stretches a large park with streams and lawns, and even a fountain. Access to this area is restricted, but the arrows in the picture below guide you on the appropriate route to walk by the manor.
Fagervik is so beautiful that following the guidance of discreet arrows and modest Private signs is no hardship. The views from the village road alone are so charming that there’s no need to breach the peace between visitors and locals.
The village is located by the relatively large Bruksträsket, or “Ironworks Lake,” which, perhaps partly due to its size, meant we felt quite a breeze even on the sheltered paths.
The church itself is situated right by the lake, almost at the water’s edge. Next to it is a private cottage yard, but the church can be admired from the road and from the edge of the fence.
The church is privately owned, but you can visit it if you join a guided walking tour. In summer, there are also occasional musical services held in the church.
Fagervik ironworks is one of the oldest ironworks in Finland, operating for centuries, from the 17th century until the early 20th century. The manor dates back to 1773.
Small, black-and-white arrow signs direct visitors to sneak past the manor, and their small size instinctively makes one want to be very quiet and unobtrusive. Yet, I am extremely grateful for these arrows as they provide much-needed guidance; otherwise, it would be uncertain where one is allowed to walk.
The ironworks’ operations suffered greatly due to the Great Northern War in the early 18th century, but it was revived when the Swedish Hising brothers bought it with its ironworking rights in 1723. Reconstruction was swift, and the next generation of Hisings saw the ironworks flourish. I even discovered a fun fact that the first potatoes in Finland were grown here!
As we strolled through Fagervik, we encountered families with children and dog walkers. Occasionally, cars and motorcycles passed by on the main road, including a group of motorcyclists from Germany, as well as many cyclists. Some cottage owners were packing their cars and seemingly heading home after the weekend.
In the same building as the café, there was a museum, but it was not open during our visit. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize on the spot that from the café, you could buy a small self-guided tour booklet, which would have surely made the visit even more rewarding! Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity when you visit Fagervik.
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