Sights in Lapland
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Sallivaara Reindeer Roundup Site
The Sallivaara Reindeer Roundup Site, 70km southwest of Inari, was built in 1933 (although some huts date back to the 1890s) and used by Sámi reindeer herders twice yearly until 1964. Roundups were an important social event for the people of northern Lapland, usually lasting several weeks and involving hundreds of people and animals. The Sallivaara reindeer corrals and cabins were reconstructed in 1997, and it's now possible to stay overnight in one of the Sallivaara huts.
Many people come here in spring and summer for the excellent bird-watching on nearby wetlands. To reach the site, park at Repojoki parking area then follow the marked trail, 6km one way. Reindeer round…
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Siida
One of Finland’s finest museums, Siida should not be missed. It’s a comprehensive overview of the Sámi and their environment that’s actually two museums skilfully interwoven. The main exhibition hall consists of a wonderful nature exhibition around the edge, detailing northern Lapland’s ecology by season, with some wonderful photos and information panels. In the centre of the room is detailed information on the Sámi, from their former seminomadic existence to modern times. In an adjacent hall is a timeline framing Sámi prehistory and history, alongside other world events, and two other halls have excellent temporary exhibitions of Sámi crafts and traditions.
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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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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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Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church
The Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church of Pielpajärvi is accessible from Inari by a marked walking track (7.5km one way) from the parking area at SIIDA. If you have a vehicle there's another car park 2.5km beyond here, up Sarviniementie, from where it's a 4.3km walk to the church. In winter, you'll need snowshoes and a keen attitude to do this.
The church area has been an important marketplace for the Sámi over the centuries, with the first church erected here in 1646. The present church was built in 1760, and restored in the 1970s. It's always open.
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Inari Church
The church on the main street was built in 1952 with American financing. It’s an attractive A-framed structure with a warm wooden feeling inside. The rather beautiful altar painting by Väinö Saikko depicts a Sámi family, complete with tethered reindeer, meeting Christ in the Lapland wildernesses. Inari Sámi and Fell Sámi are spoken in this church; services are usually on Sunday at 2pm.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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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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Sámi Church
This Sámi Church was built in 1952 with American financing. The altar painting depicts a wandering Sámi family meeting Christ. Inari Sámi and Fell Sámi are spoken in this church, west of the main street on the road to Lemmenjoki National Park.
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Kolttien Perinnetalo
Kolttien Perinnetalo is a delightful little museum with photos, crafts and memorabilia of the poignant Skolt history. The Skolt traditionally used a system of four seasonal camps, and other nearby buildings show some of this way of life.
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Lemmenjoki Nature Centre
The Lemmenjoki Nature Centre is a small nature centre with displays on the river, maps, walking information, fishing permits, and a powerful set of binoculars trained on a nearby fell. The entrance to the park itself is 1.5km away.
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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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Kylätalo Giisá
The village hall, Kylätalo Giisá, has a handicraft shop, cafe and internet access.
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Napapiirin Huskypuisto
Napapiirin Huskypuisto is near Santa’s grotto and allows you to meet dogs.
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