Sights in Rovaniemi
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Zoo
The small town of Ranua is famous for its excellent zoo, which focuses almost entirely on Finnish animals, although there are also polar bears and musk oxen from further north. A boardwalk takes you on a 2.5km circuit past all the creatures, which include minks and stoats, impressive owls and eagles, wild reindeer, elk, a big bear paddock (they hibernate from November to March), lynx and wolverines. Apart from the animals, there’s plenty to do for kids, with horse rides, a minikart circuit, pettable domestic animals and little assault courses. Ice-cream stops dot the route, and there’s a cafe and lunch restaurant.
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A
Arktikum
With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, Arktikum is one of Finland’s best museums and well worth the admission fee if you are interested in the north. There are two main exhibitions; one side deals with Lapland, with some information on Sámi culture, including both traditional and modern music, and a variety of costumes. There’s a display of canoes, dwellings and fishing materials, as well as a room devoted to the history of Rovaniemi itself. A scale model shows the destruction wrought by the German retreat in 1944.
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Santa Claus Village
Built right on top of the Arctic Circle marker is the ‘official’ Santa Claus Village. There’s a mixture of humdrum souvenir stands and classier shops, and it’s just about the best spot to buy Sámi handicrafts. Tour groups have great fun crossing the line painted on the asphalt in order to be awarded their Arctic Circle certificates (€4.20).
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B
Rovaniemi Church
Completed in 1950, this church replaced the one destroyed during WWII. The impressively large fresco behind the altar depicts a Christ figure emerging from Lappish scenery. A work of Lennart Segerstråle, it has two sides, one populated by the faithful, the other by brawling drunkards and ravening wolves.
reviewed
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C
Rovaniemi Church
Completed in 1950, this church replaces the one destroyed during WWII. The impressively large fresco behind the altar depicts a Christ figure emerging from Lappish scenery. A work of Lennart Segerstråle, it has two sides, one populated by the faithful, the other by brawling drunkards and ravening wolves.
reviewed
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D
Lappia-Talo
Rovaniemi’s concert hall is one of several buildings in Rovaniemi designed by architect Alvar Aalto (others include the adjacent library and town hall). The hall is used by the local theatre company and the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland for performances.
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E
Rovaniemen Taidemuseo
This gallery has a wide collection of contemporary Finnish art that it rotates in its clean white exhibition space. It’s closely affiliated with the University of Lapland and often shows works by young Finnish artists. Admission’s free on Saturday.
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F
Marttiini Knife Factory
This former factory of Finland's most famous knife manufacturer is open to visitors. It has a small knife and photo exhibition, and a shop where you can buy knives cheaper than elsewhere. It's across the road from the Arktikum
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Napapiirin Huskypuisto
Napapiirin Huskypuisto is near Santa’s grotto and allows you to meet dogs.
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