Jyväskylä, University city in Central Finland
Jyväskylä is a university town in Central Finland that spreads across hilly terrain with 328 lakes within its borders. These waters cover roughly one fifth of the entire municipal area and shape the urban landscape throughout.
Tsar Nicholas I founded the settlement in 1837 as part of his administrative reforms for the Grand Duchy of Finland. After 1940 the population grew rapidly from 8000 people due to postwar resettlement from lost territories.
The nickname Athens of Finland comes from the city's long tradition of teacher training and the central role of education in daily life. Several school buildings and campus areas display modern Finnish architecture and remain open to visitors even outside term time.
The central location offers direct transport links to Helsinki and Tampere through well maintained roads and regular train services. Many attractions lie within walking distance in the center or along the lakefront promenades.
The municipality holds the largest collection of Alvar Aalto buildings in one place worldwide, including the university campus and a dedicated museum. Visitors can move between different architectural phases of the master within short distances and follow his development.
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