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A traditional agricultural village by the river Kitinen. The settlement on the west bank was completely saved from destruction in the Lapland War while the east bank was burned to ashes by the German troops. Most buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th century. On the list of nationally significant built cultural environments.
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A third village that was saved from devastation by German troops during the Lapland War. This was because the village has been built onto a narrow landstrip in the middle of vast mires and at the time it was roadless. By a river of same name. Bird watching tower a few kilometres north from the village by the Kairanaapa mire.
A memorial honouring those over 1000 Soviet soldiers being killed during the Battle of Pelkosenniemi. The memorial was dedicated in 2002.
The Battle of Pelkosenniemi was fought at the confluence of rivers Kitinen and Kemijoki in December 16–19 1939, during the Winter War. It was a great victory for the Finnish Army, and after the battle the Soviet Army retreated, leaving much of its heavy equipment and vehicles behind. After the following Finnish counter-attack Soviet troops were unable to cross the new defence line near the current Finland-Russia border. Losses were heavy; the Finns had 117 deceased and 105 disappeared. The memorial was dedicated in 1964.
Large fen mires and raised bogs, internationally significant bird habitat. The Sokanaapa trail and bird watching tower are an easy way to see some of the mires. Getting a more complete picture of the 12 km² area requires planning and decent equipment.
One of those few villages in Lapland that were completely saved from scorched earth policy of retrieving German soldiers during the Lapland War. Amazingly here is no post-war architecture either, which actually makes the village completely unique. The buildings are from late 19th or latest early 20th century, and the view to the village is today quite the same as it was a hundred years ago. There are about 30 year-round residents but many more come here for summer. Services include a café, an art gallery and a few cottage accommodations for visitors. The village is on the list of nationally significant scenic views.