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Municipality in Lapland, Finland
Photo: Petteri.hentila, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pelkosenniemi is a municipality in central Finnish Lapland. Pyhä-Luosto National Park and Pyhä holiday resort are where most visitors are heading to and where most servicies are. Lampivaara amethyst mine is the only open amethyst mine in Europe.
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The wooden church built in 1929 was saved in the Lapland War. The church and the surrounding buildings are on the list of nationally significant built cultural environments. Open during the services, otherwise by request.
A wooden(!) statue honouring Andy McCoy (1962–). A Pelkosenniemi-born Finnish rock musician.
One of the largest aapa-type mires in Finland right by the main village. This huge mire complex is an important nesting site for many birds, including some true rarities. Nature trail 2.7 km on duckboards. Campfire site and bird observing tower. If you are lucky, seeing elks or even bears on the mire is possible. Option for guided tours.
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.
A memorial honouring those over 1000 Soviet soldiers being killed during the Battle of Pelkosenniemi. The memorial was dedicated in 2002.
Pelkosenniemi tourist information. Exhibition about Pyhä-Luosto fell area, its geology, nature, and history of the forest Sami. Restaurant. Maps and other information about nature destinations in the East-Lapland. Keys for the rental huts.
The Isokuru-Pyhäkuru ravine complex is one of the most picturesque places in Finland and has many fascinating geological features. The Sami were baptised to Christianity at Pyhänkasteenlähde, "Holy Baptism Spring", from 1620 to 1680. There is a tall but narrow waterfall next to the pond. The site is a sieidi, a sacred place for the Sami.
The quarry is worked with little machinery, not to exhaust it too soon. The entrance fee includes a guided tour to the quarry and every visitor may dig his/her own amethyst and keep it – one of them if you pick several. The café is open year round. NOTICE: The parking lot is 3 km from the mine and there are lots of stairs so the visit is not suitable for the disabled. The Amethyst Shop is at the Luosto resort.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park is the fifth popular national park in Finland with 174 000 visitors in 2018. The park covers a fell massif extending from Pyhätunturi fell in south to Luosto fell in north. There are old-growth forest, mires and, of course, those treeless fells. Some arctic species have their southernmost occurrences here. Fishing is allowed in some parts of the park but you need to buy a permit. Several marked hiking trails from a 4-km circular route to a 35-km trail. Mountain bike routes 12–35 km.
Café at the gasoline station. Seems to be a meeting point for elderly (?) locals.
Summer café open from June until September. Local turnip products.
Café in a historic environment. Art gallery.
A small B&B by the river Kemijoki.
Cottage for 4+2 persons in the Suvanto village. Dry toilet. Sauna. No linen.
Four cottages in the Suvanto village. Sauna. Café.
Lodging option for 10 persons, modern kitchen, shower and WC.
Groceries.
Groceries and souvenirs. Mail service. Gasoline. Prescription-free drugs. Alko pick-up point.
Gasoline. Café & bar. Mail service. Alko pick-up point.
By bus
There are a few daily coach connections to the parish village from Rovaniemi via Sodankylä or Kemijärvi. A bus ticket from Rovaniemi costs approx €30/adult and the trip takes about 2.5 hours.
By train
The nearest train stations are in Kemijärvi and Rovaniemi.
By plane
The nearest airport is in Rovaniemi. Most coaches from there go via the airport.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Rovaniemi · International · RVN
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