Vöyrinkaupunki and Klemettilä are located very close to Vaasa city centre. The areas differ in character: Vöyrinkaupunki is known for its historic wooden houses and its peaceful atmosphere, whereas Klemettilä has traditionally been an area for business and commerce, but is also rapidly developing as a residential area.
Vöyrinkaupunki
Vöyrinkaupunki (Vöråstan), also known as Vörkkäri, is one of Vaasa’s oldest and most idyllic residential areas. The area has many wooden houses built in the 1890s–1940s, many of which are protected. The houses were originally built as workers’ dwellings, which is why the apartments are often quite small.
The area’s popularity has grown in recent years, and newer residential buildings have also been built on its outskirts. Despite the proximity to the city centre, Vöyrinkaupunki is a quiet and pleasant residential area.
Vöyrinkaupunki is home to Malmöntalo, a donation from Vaasa’s Swedish twin city Malmö to Vaasa after the war. Today Malmöntalo houses a daycare. The area also has many student apartments owned by the Vaasa Student Housing Foundation, for example in the Olympia block. Olympiakatu (Olympia Street) got its name from the Finnish motor factory that manufactured Olympia engines in the area.
The area’s largest and oldest cemetery is located in Vöyrinkaupunki. It is divided into an old and a new part. On the old side, west of Vöyrinkatu, there is a war heroes’ cemetery. Several notable figures from Vaasa’s history are buried there, such as A. A. Levón, founder of Vaasa Steam Mill and the cotton factory.
Klemettilä
Klemettilä (Klemetsö) has traditionally been an area for industry and commerce. The area has many business premises, warehouses and commercial spaces. In recent years, however, Klemettilä has changed rapidly, and more and more new residential buildings have been constructed in the area.