Hämeen Härkätie

Hämeen Härkätie represents a nationally significant built cultural environment. The settlements lining it are located in the middle of the culturally and historically unique field landscape of the Paimionjokilaakso valley. The settlement follows the river and lines the Oxen Road through the entire municipality of Marttila.

Hämeen Härkätie is one of the oldest and most famous roads in Finland. In the Middle Ages, the road was heavily used to voyage between Turku Castle and Hämeenlinna. Although Hämeen Härkätie is a well-known route and attracts tourists with a hunger for history, one can enjoy peace and tranquility along this winding road, as most of the traffic is directed to Highway 10. From Hämeen Härkätie, it’s a quick slip into Highway 10, if you want to save some time and head to Turku or Salo, which both are just over half an hour away.

The settlements are following the Hämeen Härkätie like colorful beads on a ribbon. Listen closely, and you can hear dozens of village names in a conversation with locals: Prunkila, Vättilä, Alikylä, Ylikylä, Mäntsälä, Krouvi, Huovaristo, Ollila and Siutila. Along the road, you will also find attractions such as art installations, the Nostalgia Museum, and the Marttila Battle Monument.

In addition to the farmland and the banks of the Paimionjoki River, one can experience nature in all its beauty on the Hirvasoja Nature Trail, which meanders its way down from Siutila and out to the historical pastures and mill ruins. Apart from nature trails, most of the municipality’s services and local businesses, such as the grocery store and pharmacy, are located in the center of Marttila. Undoubtedly, owning a car or a motor vehicle of some kind, is making everyday life easier for the residents of Härkätie. This being said, public transportation also runs here a few times a day.