Pielavesi is a municipality of Finland. It is part of the Northern Savonia region. The municipality has a population of 4,073 (31 December 2023) and covers an area of 1,406.51 square kilometres (543.06 sq mi) of which 253.27 km (97.79 sq mi) is water. The population density is 3.53 inhabitants per square kilometre (9.1/sq mi). The municipality is unilingually Finnish.

Geography

Neighbouring municipalities are Iisalmi, Keitele, Kiuruvesi, Maaninka, Pihtipudas, Pyhäjärvi, and Tervo.

On the north-western side of the village lies Lake Pielavesi.

Notable people

• Urho Kekkonen (1900-86), who served as President of Finland for 26 years, was born in Pielavesi in a log cabin called Lepikon torppa.
• Lauri Kokkonen, author and playwright
• Ilpo Saastamoinen, musician and composer
• Antti Ruuskanen, javelin thrower and Olympic medalist

Pielavesi is also well-known for its successful volleyball club, Pielaveden Sampo.