Visitors can explore the history- and forest-themed trails of the Verla World Heritage site on their own, as well as view the site’s prehistoric rock paintings. The Mill Museum’s gardener leads guided tours of the mill owner’s garden.
Admission to the site’s exhibitions is free. Downstairs from the customer service desk, you will find a small permanent exhibition, and opposite that, in the fire equipment shed, is information about the mill’s fire-fighting team. An exhibition about log driving is on display in the frame saw building, and the bale warehouse in the middle of the museum site houses temporary exhibitions. An exhibition at the Lippu Homestead depicts millworkers’ housing.
There are many different activities to enjoy at Verla and in the surrounding area. You can easily take to the water at Verla in a rented canoe or rowing boat. After a busy day, take some private time in a lakeside sauna. Near the centre of Verla, a 2-kilometre nature trail winds around Kokkokallio hill.
The Verla World Heritage site is a memorable excursion destination where you can experience both history and nature. Museum tours for May should be reserved well in advance as May is a popular time for school groups to visit.
The Verla Mill Museum is not an accessible site. Should your group include individuals with reduced mobility, we ask that you notify us at the time of making your reservation. A tour designed for those with reduced mobility may also be reserved for an entire group.
In addition to the museum tour, groups can explore the area on their own on various themed trails and excursions.
Repovesi National Park, one of Finland’s most important natural sites, is half an hour’s drive away. Together, Repovesi and Verla comprise an exceptional part of the history and nature of the Finnish forest industry. Numerous stories about hunting, log driving, contracts and the felling of trees, as well as large-scale conservation and protection of biodiversity, create a colourful and intricate environment for visitors who enjoy nature and history.
Visitors from outside the region often also explore the other cultural attractions around Kouvola, such as the Vuohijärvi Nature and Culture House, the Poikilo Museums and Arboretum Mustila. In the summer, the Tykkimäki amusement park is a favourite among families with children.
The Repovesi National Park, one of Finland’s most important natural sites, is a half-hour drive away.
The Verla World Heritage Site is located in the village of Verla, 32 kilometers from the center of Kouvola.
You can reach Verla by car or taxi from Kouvola's train station. For groups, we recommend booking a private transfer.
The nearest train station is in Kouvola, from which a summer bus operates to Verla on Saturdays and Sundays (line 15).
Check the local bus schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays (line 9).
From Kouvola, it takes about half an hour to drive to Verla. From Helsinki and Mikkeli, the drive takes about two hours, and from Lahti, just over an hour. You can also rent a car in Kouvola.
There is an electric vehicle charging point for KSS Energy cars in the museum's parking area.
The Verla factory museum is not fully accessible. However, a person with mobility limitations can participate in a half tour with the rest of the group. The old stable building on the factory area has an accessible restroom along with other restrooms.
Verla's safety guidelines and the opportunity to report safety-related observations can be found here.
The UPM Verla Factory Museum is committed to the principles of sustainable tourism. You can read more about sustainable tourism at the World Heritage Site here.
The closest train station is in Kouvola, from which a bus runs to Verla in the summer.
Bus nro 9 on Tuesday and Thursday from Kouvola
Bus nro 9 on Tuesday and Thursday from Verla
