Viitasaari - Innovative pioneer
Basic information
Viitasaari is located in northern Central Finland and is crossed by highway four. The surrounding neighbour municipalities and the city are Kannonkoski, Kinnula, Kivijärvi, Pihtipudas and Äänekoski in Central Finland. In addition, the neighbour municipalities of North Savo are Keitele and Vesanto.
The population of Viitasaari is slightly less than 5800. About half of the residents are of working age. The city covers an area of 1,589 km².
The main livelihoods in the city are the wood and metal industry and the service sector. There are about 500 companies in Viitasaari. The largest employers are Maarla Oy, Pisla Oy, Kaskipuu Oy, ER Saha Oy, Osuuskauppa Keskimaa and the City of Viitasaari.
Distances near and far
From Viitasaari, you can reach the nearby municipalities in about half an hour. Larger cities are about an hour or two away. Viitasaari is located along Highway 4, which also allows you to travel north and south by bus. Your own car is useful.
To nearby municipalities and towns
Pihtipudas 30 minutes
Kinnula 45 minutes
Kannonkoski 30 minutes
Kivijärvi 45 minutes
Keitele 30 minutes
To bigger cities
Jyväskylä 1hr 10 minutes
Äänekoski 45 minutes
Seinäjoki 2hr 5 minutes
Kokkola 2hr 15 minutes
Kuopio 1hr 35 minutes
Inventive entrepreneurship, love of the home region and clear waterways
Viitasaari strongly supports business activities. In this rural town, companies do not rest on their laurels, but actively develop their own operations. Residents and tourists have access to a wide range of shops and restaurants. The people of Viitasaari have been instilled with a touch of courage and love for their home region, they are hospitable and communal. Clear waterways, sparkling rapids and the peace of the forests attract people to live, engage in hobbies and spend time in Viitasaari for longer, even permanently.
Services
In Viitasaari, there are many kinds of services. In the city centre, you can go to eat, go to the hairdresser, flea markets or even go bowling. There are also several service stations and hardware stores in the city. Check out the services of local businesses and be surprised!
Living
In Viitasaari, you can live in the center surrounded by lakes or in rural villages. There are waterfront plots, rental apartments or owner-occupied apartments available. Whether you want a ready–made solution or are willing to build your own home, Viitasaari offers a good setting for living.
Hobbies
There are several active associations and sports groups operating in Viitasaari. Nature offers opportunities for hobbies, such as fishing, canoeing and hunting. In addition, culture, music and handicrafts bring active enthusiasts together. Leisure opportunities are comprehensively presented on the city‘s website.
Work, start a business or study
If you are looking for vacant business premises or a business plot and are planning to locate your company in Viitasaari, ask for help from the development company Witas. If you are looking for a job, check out the jobs in Sydänsuomi or contact the Viitasaari Employment Unit. Also check out the study opportunities via the link. Students in Viitasaari are educated by Viitasaari Upper Secondary School and Poke Vocational College.
Did you know?
1. Birch for Artek
2. Vanha Kirkkosaari (Old Church Island)
The Old Church Island of Viitasaari can be seen when driving along Highway 4. There is an old cemetery on the island and you can visit it in the summer, for example, by rowing boat. A city boat can be borrowed from Port of Porthan free of charge. In winter, the island can be reached on foot along the ice. It is worth taking a snack with you on the island trip, as there are also lean–tos.
3. Rotinakassit (Rotina bags)
Rotina bags, or rotinas, have traditionally meant a food gift that is given to a newborn mother during a visit. In Viitasaari, rotina bags are distributed every spring and they commemorate children born the previous year. The rotinas are organized by the Viitasaari MLL, and the contents of the bag are collected in cooperation with the city, churches, associations and companies.
Visit Viitasaari
The jewel of the town
Lyhty Viitasaari
Lyhty Viitasaari is part of Viitasaari‘s history, it has previously served as a school and the over 100–year–old building has been renovated and reopened in 2023. Lyhty is located right next to the four–way road, so it is easy to stop there even on a passing trip. Lyhty has local services, a restaurant and party and meeting rooms for rent. Learn more about the services and history of Lyhty Viitasaari below.
Events
Traditional events held annually in Viitasaari include, for example, Mid Finland Truckmeeting, TraktoriJatzit, Wilma–Markkinat, Viitasaari Film Week, Time of Music and Viitasaari of Light. Check out the current events in Viitasaari through the links below.
Social media channels
Facebook groups maintained by the residents of Viitasaari are Viitasaari and Puskaradio Viitasaari. They are used for topical discussion, and in the groups, you can also ask questions about, for example, hobby opportunities and inquire about available apartments, for example. In the Palveleva Viitasaari group, you can get information about the services offered by companies and current offers.
Also follow the social media channels maintained by the City of Viitasaari (Viitasaaren kaupunki) and the Witas Development Company (Kehittämisyhtiö Witas) below.These social media channels are in Finnish, but in order to get the information you can use a translator.