Nurmijärvi
Archaeological finds dating back to 4500, 3500 BC prove that the area now known as Nurmijärvi was inhabited during prehistoric times. At the start of the Middle Ages, no permanent settlement existed in this region. Later settlement spread from both Tavastia and the coast. By 1540, there were 15 villages with 115 houses scattered across the land. The earliest documentary mention of Nurmijärvi dates back to 1488 when the village of Uotila appeared in records. An independent congregation formed in 1605, followed by the administrative parish of Nurmijärvi in 1775. That year, the population stood at 1471 people. The first church likely named St. Martin's Church appeared around 1565 but was demolished later. A new church completed in 1692 replaced it before the current structure finished construction in 1793 under architect Matti Åkerblom.
One of Nurmijärvi's most important sources of income has always been agriculture. Almost half of Finland's wild cabbage harvest comes from these fields today. Despite heavy cultivation of horticultural crops, the municipality never processed agricultural products like dairy. The first industrial plants emerged in the late 19th century. Pharmacist Albin Koponen founded Finland's first pharmaceutical factory here in 1899. This plant produced filizine extracted from male fern root rhizomes sold as medicines called Filisin and Filicon. Factory-produced filicin reached markets all the way to China and America. Today trade, transport and other services account for two thirds of employment while industry and construction make up less than one third. Agriculture now represents over 3% of the population. Major employers include Altia Oyj and Teknos Oy located in Rajamäki alongside Polimoon Oy in Klaukkala and Korsisaari Oy elsewhere.
In the early 1960s settlement was evenly distributed across different parts of the municipality. Migration began accelerating around the middle of that decade shifting focus toward southern areas. By 1970 sixty-five percent of inhabitants lived in urban settlements. The largest agglomerations then were Klaukkala with 3500 people, Rajamäki with 3400, and the church village holding 2800 residents. Growth in Klaukkala and the church village relied almost exclusively on proximity to Helsinki. Today Klaukkala houses over 20000 inhabitants making it the largest urban area within the municipality. Nurmijärvi itself contains nearly 8000 people while northern settlement Rajamäki holds over 7000. Röykkä remains a small community with more than 1500 residents in the northwestern corner. The municipality lacks a single clear residential settlement divided instead into these four main zones.
Salpausselkä passes through the northern part via Röykkä, Kiljava and Rajamäki while River Vantaa flows through eastern sections. Lowest terrain lies in Luhtajoki valley at Klaukkala highest points near Herunen in Salpausselkä. Few watercourses exist here yet two large rapids appear: Nukarinkoski and Myllykoski. Kuhakoski rapids flow into Lake Valkjärvi creating a popular waterfall attraction in Perttula village. Largest lake is Sääksi partly situated northwest of Hyvinkää known for one of Finland's most popular beaches located in Kiljava. Other lakes include Vaaksi near Röykkä and Valkjärvi between Klaukkala and Perttula. Measuring instruments from Finnish Meteorological Institute located in Nurmijärvi detected rising radiation levels caused by Chernobyl disaster on Sunday the 27th of April 1986 just one day after the explosion occurred.
Nurmijärvi serves as birthplace of Finland's national author Aleksis Kivi whose work Seitsemän veljestä translates to The Seven Brothers published in 1870. Municipality coat arms reference this famous literary piece directly. Every year hosts Kivi Festival with main venue Taaborinvuori museum area next to Kivi's birthplace. On the 29th of January 2020 officials declared themselves officially Capital of Aleksis Kivi. Small cinema Kino Juha operates since 1958 featuring only one hall within town center. Multipurpose building Monikko in Klaukkala organizes concerts and live events regularly. Title bird designated black woodpecker Dryocopus Martinus while title animal European badger Meles meles holds symbolic importance. Male fern Dryopteris filix-mas represents the official plant symbolizing local heritage through nature itself.
Finnish national road three runs between Helsinki and Tampere serving as most important traffic route. Highway built as motorway during 1990s replaced older highway numbered Regional Road 130. National road 45 joins from Hyvinkää side while national road 25 passes northern part near Röykkä village. Hanko, Hyvinkää railway currently carries freight train traffic through Rajamäki and Röykkä. Frequent bus services connect Klaukkala via Kivistö and Keimola to Central Bus Terminal Kamppi Center in Helsinki. Construction began 2019 on bypass road northside Klaukkala due to worsening congestion between Regional road 132 and Highway 3. Municipal Council contains fifty-one members chaired by Virpi Räty with municipal board chairman Kallepekka Toivonen. Current municipal manager Outi Mäkelä succeeded Kimmo Behm who retired the 1st of May 2018.
Common questions
When was Nurmijärvi first mentioned in historical records?
The earliest documentary mention of Nurmijärvi dates back to 1488 when the village of Uotila appeared in records. Archaeological finds dating back to 4500 BC and 3500 BC prove that the area was inhabited during prehistoric times before any permanent settlement existed at the start of the Middle Ages.
What is the population history of Nurmijärvi from 1775 to today?
In 1775 the population stood at 1471 people when the administrative parish formed. Today Klaukkala houses over 20000 inhabitants making it the largest urban area within the municipality while Nurmijärvi itself contains nearly 8000 people and northern settlement Rajamäki holds over 7000.
Who founded Finland's first pharmaceutical factory in Nurmijärvi and what did they produce?
Pharmacist Albin Koponen founded Finland's first pharmaceutical factory here in 1899. This plant produced filizine extracted from male fern root rhizomes sold as medicines called Filisin and Filicon which reached markets all the way to China and America.
When did Nurmijärvi detect rising radiation levels from the Chernobyl disaster?
Measuring instruments from Finnish Meteorological Institute located in Nurmijärvi detected rising radiation levels caused by Chernobyl disaster on Sunday the 27th of April 1986 just one day after the explosion occurred.
What is the official status of Nurmijärvi regarding Aleksis Kivi?
On the 29th of January 2020 officials declared themselves officially Capital of Aleksis Kivi. Nurmijärvi serves as birthplace of Finland's national author Aleksis Kivi whose work Seitsemän veljestä translates to The Seven Brothers published in 1870.
Who is the current municipal manager of Nurmijärvi and when did they take office?
Current municipal manager Outi Mäkelä succeeded Kimmo Behm who retired the 1st of May 2018. The Municipal Council contains fifty-one members chaired by Virpi Räty with municipal board chairman Kallepekka Toivonen.