Vaalijala, Sanatorium and Cultural Heritage Site in Pieksämäki, Finland
Vaalijala is a rehabilitation facility and cultural heritage site in Pieksämäki, encompassing thirty medical, administrative, and residential buildings arranged in a pavilion-style layout. Glass corridors connect these structures and surround a central courtyard garden with roses.
The site was established between 1948 and 1966 by the Finnish Church Inner Mission on land that previously held a military residence called Nenonpello. This development reflected the post-war period's focus on creating new health care facilities.
The complex shows a distinctive architectural design with light plaster walls in the lower sections and dark wooden upper floors topped with steep tile roofs, as conceived by architect Yrjö Lindegren. Walking through the grounds, you can observe how these design choices work together to create a cohesive and calm visual experience.
The grounds can be explored on foot, with connected glass corridors making navigation between buildings straightforward, particularly in poor weather. Access and visiting should be arranged in advance, as this is an active health facility with certain restrictions.
A distinctive water tower attached to the utility building serves as a visual landmark within the complex and creates a recognizable silhouette against the sky. Many visitors notice this structure as their first visual marker upon arrival.
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