Definition
Pertunmaa is a former municipality of Finland that was located in the South Savo (Etelä‑Savo) region. As of 1 January 2025 it was merged into the neighboring municipality of Mäntyharju.
Overview
Pertunmaa lay at the junction of the cultural regions of Savo and eastern Häme, covering a total area of 454.20 km², of which 79.7 km² (≈ 17 %) was water. The municipality had a population of 1,527 people on 31 December 2024, resulting in a low population density of about 4.1 inhabitants per km². Finnish was the sole official language. The municipal seat was the village of Pertunmaa (also known as Pertunmaan kirkonkylä). Other notable settlements included the village of Kuortti and a number of smaller hamlets such as Hartosenpää, Koirakivi, and Mansikkamäki.
Pertunmaa became an independent municipality in 1926 after separating from Mäntyharju. Economic challenges that persisted for several decades ultimately led to its consolidation with Mäntyharju on 1 January 2025.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Pertunmaa” is traditionally explained by a local legend that it derives from a man named Perttu, who was said to have ruled the area alone; the literal translation is “the land of Perttu.” No alternative scholarly etymology has been widely accepted.
Characteristics
- Geography: Situated in the northern part of South Savo, the municipality featured a mixed landscape of forests, lakes, and agricultural land. It bordered the municipalities of Hartola, Heinola, Hirvensalmi, Mäntyharju, and Joutsa.
- History: After its establishment in 1926, Pertunmaa developed a local identity centred on its church, which was originally a wooden church moved from Hartola and inaugurated in 1927.
- Coat of Arms: Adopted in 1965, the arms display a golden flame on a red field accompanied by a black ear of grain, symbolising the historic slash‑and‑burn agriculture of the area. The design was created by Tapio Vallioja and received official approval from the Finnish Ministry of the Interior.
- Culture and Cuisine: Local culinary traditions include the rye‑based breads “Rieska” and a dish known as “Kisko,” a type of blodpalt prepared with cabbage leaves.
- Administrative Structure: The municipality comprised two primary urban areas—Pertunmaa (the administrative centre) and Kuortti—together with numerous smaller villages.
- Notable People: Among individuals associated with Pertunmaa are Jari Leppä (former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry), Vesa Törnroos (sport shooter), and Kari Uotila (politician).
Related Topics
- Mäntyharju (successor municipality)
- South Savo region
- Finnish municipal mergers and local government reform
- Finnish heraldry (municipal coats of arms)
- Traditional Finnish rural cuisine
All information is drawn from publicly available sources, chiefly the English‑language Wikipedia entry for Pertunmaa.