Rymättylä

Understand

As this is the archipelago, fishing has been important, and the churches were built by straits, allowing easy access. Since then, the straits by Rymättylä parish village have dried up, but can still be seen as lakes and lowland. Rymättylä and Merimasku were rural municipalities that are now a part of Naantali on the mainland, north-east of Rymättylä. To the east of Rymättylä is Airisto (Swedish: Erstan), a large body of water off Turku, separating Rymättylä from Pargas proper. To the south Ominaistenselkä (Ominaisfjärden) separates it from Nagu (Finnish: Nauvo). To the west are minor islands of Korpo and the island groups Iniö and Velkua. The main island of both Rymättylä and Merimasku is Otava (since glacial rebound dried a strait), with Merimasku parish village in the north, Rymättylä parish village near the south end, and the village Röölä farthest south. On the west shore of Otava is Haapala, with a ferry to some of the islands of the western archipelago of Rymättylä. Merimasku stretches to the mainland in the north, towards Askainen (Swedish: Villnäs), which has a ferry connection to the islands of Velkua. Rymättylä continues to the south, with bridges to Airismaa, and from there a free road ferry to Aasluoto or Aasla. In summer there is a (non-free) ferry connection also farther southward, to Nagu. City of Turku has three recreation areas on islands of Rymättylä: Pähkinäinen (Pähkinäis) in the west, Maisaari or Iso Maisaari (Majsor) south-west of Röölä and Vepsä (Vepsarn) in the east. Vepsä has a ferry from Turku, the other two are served by m/s Isla from the mainland of Rymättylä. Se Do below.

Visit Naantali, Nunnakatu 2, Naantali, ☏ +358 2 435-9800, [email protected]. M–F 09:00–16:30. Naantali tourist information, responsible also for Merimasku and Rymättylä. Most sights are run by the respective village communities in cooperation with the city of Naantali. (updated May 2021)

See

1 Merimasku Church, Paltteentie 10. 27 June–15 August 2021: service Su 10:00, tourist visits Su 11:00–13:00. Wooden church from 1726. A cultural heritage site of national significance. Guided tours can be booked from Visit Naantali. Free. 2 Rymättylä Church (by the old road through the parish village, at the Kirkkotie junction). Service Sundays 10:00. Medieval church, probably built in the 1510s. The wooden bell tower is from 1769. A cultural heritage site of national significance. For guided tours after the service, enquire at Visit Naantali. 3 Local history museum (Maskulaisten kotiseutumuseo), Kirjalan kirkkotie 2 (1 km east from the Rymättylä church), ☏ +358 50-345-9318. 2021: 6 June to 29 August Su 11:30–14:30 (check for COVID-19 closures) or by appointment. Local history museum, with focus on life and housing in the archipelago, fishing and hunting. Main building from the 18th century. 4 Herring museum (Dikseli), Rööläntie 394, (Röölä), ☏ +358 44-974-8711, [email protected]. 2021: 4 June–28 August Tu–Su 11:00–17:00. Museum on the herring fishing by ships from Rymättylä from the 1940s to the 1970s. Also a mill museum with machinery from 1936. Guiding for groups by agreement. €4, children 0–15 free; mill museum free.

Itineraries Archipelago Trail – a tourist route around the archipelago by bike, car or other means, using roads and ferries Hanko to Uusikaupunki by boat – the main boating route through the Archipelago Sea.

Do

Herrankukkaro: lodging and programme services for groups.

Recreation islands There are three recreation areas of City of Turku (open to anybody) on the islands, popular destinations among families. Each has a business providing services on behalf of the city.

1 Maisaari (Majsor) (3 km south-west of Röölä; own boat or m/s Isla, departure/call must be booked in advance; also by taxi boat from Röölä), ☏ +358 40-250-1933 (the kiosk), +358 40-537-3882 (urgencies), [email protected]. Lodging in cottages, a former barn or the main building of a former farm. Camping, walks by the nature trail or freely in the forest, beach volley, swimming, rowing trips, barbecuing, sauna etc. Free. Lodging $35–85 for 6–20 persons; linen included, own towels), tent €5, caravan €12, harbour fee €10–12 (electricity included). Reductions for stays of a week. Shower €3, laundry machine €5. Sauna €10–15/company (1 hr), kayak €5/hr, rowing boat €3/hr. (updated May 2021) 2 Pähkinäinen (Pähkinäis) (own boat, depth 2–5 m, or m/s Isla, book the preceding day), ☏ +358 500-789-010 (hostess), +358 2 262-5167 (office), [email protected]. The island was used as a fishing base, for birding, logging and pasture for Pakinainen across the sound. In the 1900s the island was used by Suomen hippos, as pasture for young stallions. The main building, now used for lodging, is from this time (built from clay and heather). Much of the island is a nature reserve, part of a larger Natura 2000 area. Fishing and swimming (child friendly beach, the sauna jetty, or any suitable cliff). Nature trail. Reasonably large woods to explore. Barbecue shelter. Sheep and rabbits. Play house and indoor playing corner. Volleyball, badminton, football for children (small goals in the yard). Café Piitin talli serves breakfast, lunch and snacks; other food if ordered in advance; a few groceries. Sauna. Rowing boats and kayaks for rent. Programme services. Wi-Fi. Free. Double room €88; tent €4/person, children under 7 yea

Buy

Suomen Sillikonttori in Röölä makes pickled herring and some related products. You might find them in grocery stores.

1 K-Ruusumo, Merimaskuntie 101 (by Taattistenjärvi, just west of the Taattistenjärventie/Merimaskuntie junction), ☏ +358 2 436-9564. K-extra grocery store. (updated May 2021) 2 Sale Rymättylä, Vanhatie 3 B (in the parish village), ☏ +358 10-764-4300 (€0.0835/call + €0.1209/min). M–Sa 06:00–23:00, Su 08:00–21:00. Grocery store. (updated May 2019) "Summer shop" in Röölä. 3 Mikolan luomutila, Rymättyläntie 1072 (Poikko), ☏ +358 400-531-135, +358 400-587-617, +358 2 252-2774, [email protected]. Organic farm. Vegetables and flowers own produce, also organic eggs, cheese and bread from other producers.

Sleep

The main option is a cottage. Most are booked through booking services or found by personal contacts. Not all are available for single nights. There seems to be one camping ground on the main island. There are cottages and camping also on the recreation islands (see above).

1 Päivärinta, Kuristentie 225 (3.5 km south-west from Rymättylä parish village: first along Heinästentie, turn to Kuristentie after 885 m), ☏ +358 400-552-645, [email protected]. Two cottages and an apartment. No pets. €100–140, 6 persons €160; linen +€7/person. 2 Saloranta, Vehotniementie 66, ☏ +358 44-967-4453, [email protected]. Campsite. Caravan €26/32 (summer/winter); tent €20; seaside sauna, family €18/hr. There are a few lodging options for groups, with programme services, targeted at business team-building events and family celebrations.

Herrankukkaro, Luotojentie 245, ☏ +358 2 515-3300. The b