Good to know
Key facts about Ikaalinen
Ikaalinen, as an independent municipality, was founded in 1641
The Ikaalinen market town was founded by Emperor Alexander II in 1858
The municipality and the market town were united under the name of Ikaalinen market town in 1972
Ikaalinen became a town in 1977 Population 7 310 (02/2013)
Area 843.5 km2, of which 93.15 km2 is water
Located in Pirkanmaa, western Finland
Distances to nearest cities: Tampere 55 km, Turku 170 km, Vaasa 190 km, Jyväskylä 210 km, Helsinki 230 km
Markets and fairs
Ikaalinen Market Square, next to the church, is open every Wednesday all year. The market offers items of interest for anyone to buy, browse or experience. The offerings include handicrafts, flowers, delicious pastries, berries and vegetables.
Huopio market, organised in the village of Luhalahti every summer month, enlivens village life. The market is full of traders and customers. Musicians and music are also a part of the summer in Luhalahti village.
Events
Ikaalinen offers something for everyone: Sata-Häme Soi, the Schlager festival, Old Time Markets, the Summer Theatre at the Ikaalinen Spa, art exhibitions and other cultural offerings, sports, a sauna festival, the Finnish and World Championships in vihta binding for the sauna... And much more!
Schools and educational institutions
Ikaalinen has a long tradition of being an educational centre. The first secondary school was founded in the then market town as early as 1902. The current post-comprehensive school educational offerings include the Ikaalinen Yhteiskoulu upper secondary school, the Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Ikaalinen Business College, Ikaalinen College of Crafts and Design (IKATA), and the Adult Education Centre.
