Day 14 – Rovaniemi

2023 The European Divide Trail 1 Minute

Today I explored the Arktikum – housing the museum of lapland & the arctic centre – well worth visiting just to experience the building.

Arktikum central hall – the crescent providing an uninterrupted view of the night sky and the aurora borealis
I like this one too!
Sami canoes – can’t tell here but they are enormous. I’m guessing similar to the one Katja’s great grandmother was fishing in when attacked.
Scale model of Sami camp. The tents are called Lavvu but connection with the N American tipi
Now, throughout Lapland, the design is replicated for everything from bus shelters to expensive holiday cabins.

Lapland has had a bloody time of late. Back in 1917, Finland became independent from Russia and was quite a bit bigger. Then, at the start of WWII, Russia attacked Finland, who then partnered with Germany & regained their land. Towards the end of the war, the Russians returned, the Germans retreated, destroying everything as they left. Finland was then forced into a treaty with Russia which included giving up 10% of their Lapland.

Further north, Finns hailed Russians as liberators and built monuments to them.

Arctic Garden – just beyond Arktikum includes a few Sami structures

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Published by johnworthington53

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One thought on “Day 14 – Rovaniemi”

  1. Turning out to be a really interesting tour, buildings with sky views, any chance you’ll get to see aurora borealis .. or however it’s spelt !!!
    I can feel a book in the making ☺️

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